Many of the complex problems you’ll find throughout the world need interdisciplinary solutions, which is why many students choose a major that combines multiple fields. That’s exactly what you’ll find with engineering physics, which is designed for students who want an in-depth understanding of fundamental physics—plus the problem-solving skills of an engineer. As an added bonus, engineering physics lets you keep your options open between physical sciences and engineering, whether you’re going to grad school or straight into your career.
Engineering physics is a combination of electrical engineering and physics, which means you'll typically start by taking courses and labs such as calculus, chemistry and physics, as well as some general curriculum classes. You’ll then move on to more advanced physics and math courses, gaining new computational skills and experience that lets you solve increasingly complex problems. In your junior and senior years, you’ll appreciate a combination of fundamental electrical engineering classes, upper-level physics classes and electives, all designed to prepare you for whatever comes next.
Meet new people, prepare for life after graduation and gain real-world experience.
This major is offered through the electrical engineering and physics departments. You can learn more about specific outside-the-classroom opportunities by visiting each department’s website.
Most students in this program go to graduate school for applied physics, electrical engineering or a related field, and then enjoy a career as a teacher, professor and/or researcher. These types of positions are often available in high schools, colleges, universities, national research labs and private companies.
Many high-tech organizations look for people who have expertise in both engineering and physics, which means you may find opportunities in a variety of fields, including:
Whether you want to work for a private company, government organization or a university, or go to grad school, this program is designed to give you options.
Most of your professors will be from either the electrical engineering department or the physics department (where you’ll typically find roughly an equal number of theorists and experimentalists).
Our faculty members have won numerous honors for teaching and mentoring, including the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching, UB President Emeritus and Mrs. Meyerson Award for Distinguished Undergraduate Teaching and Mentoring, Tau Beta Pi Teacher of the Year honors, and the student-nominated Milton Plesur Excellence in Teaching Award.
In addition, our faculty members are highly recognized for their research and scholarship. They have published hundreds of articles, been honored as IEEE and American Physical Society Fellows, received the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Scholarship & Creative Activities, been named SUNY Distinguished Professors, and have been recognized by the National Science Foundation.
You can learn more by looking at the faculty directory for each department.