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Engineering Physics

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From the tiniest subatomic particles to the entire universe, the field of physics attempts to explain the basic laws of nature by examining the interactions of matter and energy. Harness your energy, sharpen your intellect, and blaze your own path onward and upward!

Degrees & Offerings
  • B.S.
Location
  • Bloomsburg
  • Lock Haven
  • Mansfield
Department
College
Program Contact
Chair, Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences / Professor of Biochemistry
Illustration of Mountain

Bridging Physics and Engineering

Explore new ideas and opportunities through the many fields of physics such as mechanics, electricity and magnetism, atomic, nuclear, electronics, optics, thermodynamics, quantum mechanics, and astrophysics. While large research institutions emphasize research conducted by post-doctorate and graduate students, our program is aimed at you, the undergraduate. And we design research opportunities with you in mind — or you can structure your own research project with a faculty mentor. All of our upper-level physics classes are small. Our faculty are regularly available to help. All of our laboratories are taught by faculty rather than graduate students.

And get used to being hands-on with high-tech equipment. As you can tell, our program features a hands-on learning environment. In addition to our general physics labs, we have labs in optics, electronics, and nuclear radiation. Our program also features an ultra-cold atomic physics laboratory (UltraColdBloom) with connections to a sister laboratory at the Sorbonne in Paris. Students have the opportunity to work in UltraColdBloom as early as their first year, and some students have even worked in Paris.

If France isn't your destination, maybe space is your frontier for exploration. Conduct research on astrophysics using the Kepler Space Telescope and the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite. Take it a step further and gain valuable experience by presenting your research results at professional meetings or conferences. After graduation, most often pursue graduate degrees in fields such as physics, health physics, astronomy, engineering, or other related fields, while others use their skills to attain careers in government agencies or in industry.

Course Delivery Format

  Bloomsburg

  Face-to-Face
  Online
  Hybrid

  Lock Haven

  Face-to-Face
  Online
  Hybrid

  Mansfield

  Face-to-Face
  Online
  Hybrid

  Clearfield

  Face-to-Face
  Online
  Hybrid

Courses and Curriculum

Explore new ideas and opportunities through the many fields of physics such as mechanics, electricity and magnetism, atomic, nuclear, electronics, optics, thermodynamics, quantum mechanics, and astrophysics. While large research institutions emphasize research conducted by post-doctorate and graduate students, our program is aimed at you, the undergraduate.

Degree Requirements Degree Works

Note: Degree requirements effective for enrolled students beginning Fall 2023. All enrolled students, including matriculating students prior to Fall 2023, can review their degree program requirements and track progress to degree completion with our degree audit and advisement tool, Degree Works.

3 years at Commonwealth University for B.A. in Physics + 2 years at Penn State for B.S. in Engineering

  • Only new freshmen are eligible for the 3+2 program.
  • Students transferring from another college or university are encouraged to pursue other options at Commonwealth University, such as Physics, Electronics Engineering Technology, or Radiation Science.
  • The 3+2 program is intended for academically advanced students. Ideally, you should start your first semester with Calculus 1 rather than Pre-Calculus. The ALEKS math placement test can be taken multiple times, and online tutorials are provided. An ALEKS score of 76 or greater is needed to place into Calculus 1.
  • In your first three years, you need to complete the B.A. Physics degree requirements, additional courses for Penn State, and general-education points (GEPs). It's a tight schedule that requires close consultation with your academic advisor. This consultation should begin before you start your first semester. Courses fill up quickly, so please secure your freshman schedule well in advance of the beginning of the semester.
  • Penn State offers numerous engineering majors as part of the 3+2 agreement, including civil engineering, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering. If you select a particular engineering major in your freshman year and communicate this choice to Penn State (via your advisor), that major will remain available to you, despite any enrollment limits subsequently placed by Penn State.
  • A minimum GPA of 3.00 is required for entry into most Penn State engineering majors. Penn State calculates GPA slightly differently from Commonwealth University, so please consult with your advisor. Penn State will also check that you've completed the necessary coursework. To be transferable to Penn State, Commonwealth University courses must have a grade of C or better.

Degree Requirements Degree Works

Note: Degree requirements effective for enrolled students beginning Fall 2023. All enrolled students, including matriculating students prior to Fall 2023, can review their degree program requirements and track progress to degree completion with our degree audit and advisement tool, Degree Works.

Engineering Physics (B.S.)

  1. Demonstrate foundational knowledge in Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry and Engineering at
    Commonwealth University so that a broad range of engineering problems can be solved in industry.
  2. Clearly communicate engineering information with scientists, engineers and the general public in both written and oral form.
  3. Function effectively as a member or leader on a technical team
  4. Understand the need for and an ability to engage in self-directed continuing professional development
  5. Understand the need of and a commitment to address professional and ethical responsibilities.
  6. Demonstrate the knowledge of the impact of engineering solutions in a societal and global context.

Engineering 3+2 Program

  1. Demonstrate foundational knowledge in Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry and Engineering at
    Commonwealth University so that one of eighteen possible specific Engineering degrees can be earned at Penn State University.
  2. Demonstrate the ability to apply critical, analytical, and integrative thinking to solve engineering problems.
  3. Clearly communicate engineering information with scientists, engineers and the general public in both written and oral form.
  4. Function effectively as a member or leader on a technical team
  5. Understand the need for and an ability to engage in self-directed continuing professional development
  6. Understand the need of and a commitment to address professional and ethical responsibilities.
  7. Demonstrate the knowledge of the impact of engineering solutions in a societal and global context
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Unlock your Potential

Careers

Students who do well in physics are self-starting individuals with a strong desire to learn as many practical and theoretical skills as possible. Become not only a student, but a career professional who does more than learning from a book; be one who uses all available resources and explores further.

Chart your Course to Career Success

7%
Job Growth Projected
Physics alumni are in demand, secure exciting internships, and work in industry and school settings.
15%
Grads to Grad School
In addition to our broad array of physics and engineering courses, our department provides tutoring for the Physics GRE.
5%
Ph.D. Pathway
5% of alumni pursue a doctorate. Princeton University, Stanford University, and others have welcomed alumni into their programs.

Program Contacts

Toni Bell

Toni Trumbo Bell

  • Chair, Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences / Professor of Biochemistry
  • Bloomsburg
Elaine Farkas

Elaine Farkas

  • Associate Professor of Chemistry and Physics
  • Mansfield
Nada

Nada Jevtic

  • Assistant Professor of Physics
  • Bloomsburg
Ray

Biswajit Ray

  • Program Coordinator, Professor of Electronics Engineering Technology
  • Bloomsburg
Ju Xin

Ju Xin

  • Professor of Physics
  • Bloomsburg

Applying to This Program

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