Degree Requirements

The Engineering Physics degree at Virginia differs from most Engineering Physics or Applied Physics Degrees. Courses are taken from the appropriate departments with about half the courses in physics and half in an area of engineering and applied science.

Master's of Science Degree
A total of 24 credits of course work plus a thesis is required to complete the Master of Science degree. A minimum of 6 credits in Physics, 6 credits in Engineering and 3 credits in Mathematics must be included in a student's program.

Ph.D. Degree
Doctoral candidates follow a program of studies arranged by the candidate, the candidate's advisor and an Ph.D. advisory committee. Students must take a minimum of 6 credits in Physics, 6 credits in Engineering, and 3 credits Mathematics beyond the Masters' degree.

Students entering with a Bachelor's degree may petition to by-pass the Master's degree after their first year of courses. If approved the student need only take the minimum requirements for Physics, Engineering and Mathematics for the two degrees: 12 credits of Physics, 12 credits of Engineering, and 6 credits of Mathematics.

All students pursuing the Ph.D. degree must take qualifying / comprehensive examinations in 3 areas and an oral exam. Course should be planned to accomplish these exams as early as possible. One or two of the exams must be in areas of Physics and the remaining exams in the appropriate areas of Engineering.

Three Qualifying Exam Areas in Physics:
Quantum Mechanics (PHYS 751, 752)
Electricity and Magnetism (PHYS 742, 743)
Classical/Statistical Mechanics (PHYS 521, 831)

Typical Examination Areas in Engineering:
Materials (MSE 605,606)
Solid State Devices (ECE 663, 667)
Applied Mathematics (APMA 641, 642)
Fluid Mechanics (AM631, 632)
Medical Imaging (BIOM 783,784)
Other areas based on standard exams that are given in the various engineering departments.

Off-Campus Graduate Degree Program

The Engineering Physics distance learning program is primarily targeted at students interested in earning a Masters of Engineering degree in Engineering Physics. However, the University of Virginia's Engineering Physics program is very research oriented, and students interested in considering a research-based Masters of Science degree should inquire with the program's directors, Dr. William A. Soffa and Dr. Petra Reinke, about the feasibility of pursuing such degrees in conjunction with coursework through the distance learning program.

To access more information visit the CGEP website.