Sequence at a Glance - Engineering Physics

Students wishing to transfer after the sophomore year meet the minimum transfer requirements of the UIUC College of Engineering and most other engineering schools. PHY 211 Statics is highly recommended for students transferring to the aerospace, civil, industrial, mechanical, industrial, and environmental engineering programs.

Members of the Illinois State physics faculty hold Ph.D.'s from many of the nation's leading universities. Each is a dedicated teacher and and an active researcher. Our faculty have a strong record of research, including funding from NASA, the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of Energy, and The Research Corporation. Professors and their undergraduate research students publish their research in the nation's top scientific journals.

The Department serves nearly 120 majors in its physics, computer physics, physics teaching, and engineering physics programs. More than half are from the top quarter of their high school class. The mean ACT composite score is above 27. Many majors also participate in the nationally recognized Illinois State University Honors program and the Physics Departmental Honors program.

Required and Prerequisite Courses

Course

Title

Hours

PHY 107

Frontiers in Physics

2

110

Physics for Science & Engineering I

4

111

Physics for Science & Engineering II

4

112

Physics for Science & Engineering III

4

211*

Statics (Mech., Ind. E, Civil E, Env. E, AE)

3

217

Methods of Theoretical Physics

3

220

Mechanics I

3

240

Electricity & Magnetism I

3

270

Experimental Physics

2

284

Quantum Mechanics I

3

CHE 140

General Chemistry I

4

141

General Chemistry II

4

MAT 145

Calculus I

4

146

Calculus II

4

147

Calculus III

4

175

Linear Algebra

4

340

Differential Equations I

3

ITK 165**

Computer Programming for Scientists

4

* - Physics 211 is required for some engineering programs, but not all, and it is recommended to be taken before transferring
** - highly recommended, but not required

 

Sample Course Sequence:

A typical schedule for physics majors in the Engineering Physics Sequence is listed below. A brief description of each course is provided in the Illinois State University catalog. Note that UIUC general education listings are for example only. Other universities will have different tranfer of credit criteria.

For additional general education choices for UIUC, please click here for a list of suggested courses. Here is a list of ISU General Education courses that are NOT recommended for those tranferring to UIUC since no credit will transfer.

 

 

Fall Year 1

Course Title Hours ISU Gen Ed UIUC
PHY 107 Frontiers in Physics
2
PHY 110 Physics 1
4
 IC-NSA
MAT 145 Calculus 1
4
 IC-M
Gen Ed To be determined (MC w/o IC prereq)
3
 MC
ENG 101 Language and Composition
3
 IC Rhet. 50%

Spring Year 1

Course Title Hours ISU Gen Ed UIUC
PHY 111 Physics II
4
MAT 146 Calculus II
4
 MC-QR
COM 110 Language and Composition
3
 IC
ITK 165 Programming for Scientists
4
 programming

Fall Year 2

Course Title Hours ISU Gen Ed UIUC
PHY 112 Physics III
4
MAT 147 Calculus III
4
  
ENG 131 American Culture: Traditions & Texts
3
 MC-UST HumanitiesW
CHE 140 Chemistry I
4
 Chemistry

Spring Year 2

Course Title Hours ISU Gen Ed UIUC
PHY 217 Methods of Theoretical Physics
3
MAT 175 Linear Algebra
4
POL 106 US Government & Civic Practices
3
 MC-ICL General
FOR 128 Gender in the Humanities
3
 MC-LH Humanities
CHE 141 Chemistry II
4
 Chemistry

Fall Year 3

Course Title Hours ISU Gen Ed UIUC
PHY 220 Mechanics I
3
PHY 240 Electricity & Magnetism I
3
MAT 340 Differential Equations
3
GEO 140 Human Geography
3
 MC-IS Social Sci.
HIS 104.0x History of Asia/Mid East/Africa/Lat. Am.
3
 OC-DKCC/HG Social SciNW

Spring Year 3

Course Title Hours ISU Gen Ed UIUC
Phy 284 Quantum Mechanics I
3
PHY 270 Advanced Lab
2
PHY 211 Statics
3
 dept
MUS 176 Arts & Society: Music
3
 OC-DKCC/FA
ENG 145 Language and Composition II
3
 reth 50%
GEO 135 World Geography
3
 OK-KD/SS General

Key
G = ISU Global Studies Credit
W = UIUC Western Culture Credit
NW = UIUC Non-western Culture Credit

Notes
UIUC has a 3 semester proficiency foreign language requirement.

The final segment of the program takes place at UIUC or other engineering university. After transferring back 30 approved credit hours from the engineering university, the requirements for the B.S. in Physics from Illinois State University are completed. These 30 hours typically include 17 approved hours of engineering courses to complete the physics major, six general education hours to complete the General Education program, and sufficient upper division hours to meet the required total of 42 hours.