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XAVIER UNIVERSITY: A JESUIT CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY IN CINCINNATI, OHIO
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COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
ENGINEERING PHYSICS
ENGINEERING PHYSICS combines courses in physics and mathematics with several diverse courses in engineering. Serving as the foundation of the program is a set of courses that provide a fundamental understanding of traditional topics in physics, including the motion of solid bodies, sound, fluids, electricity, magnetism and the interaction between light and matter.
These foundational courses describe how theories about natural phenomena are deduced from experiments and observations, develop the mathematical formalism through which these theories are expressed, and present techniques for using this formalism to describe and analyze physical systems.
Overarching these foundational courses are a set of engineering courses that focus on the application of scientific principles toward the design and construction of structures, materials, devices and systems that serve an intended function. A senior capstone experience provided through a two-semester sequence teaches the product development process typically utilized in the engineering community and enables students to experience the process from idea conception through production.
Bachelor of Science (BS) in: Engineering Physics
The Xavier Advantage: Take courses designed to stress active classroom participation.
Interact with faculty outside of the classroom in meaningful ways.
Use sophisticated equipment in physics and engineering labs.
Work side-by-side with students and faculty on design projects.
Be a part of a learning community that fosters thought, discussion, and exploration.
Xavier engineering physics graduates are prepared for: Careers in a broad and diverse set of engineering fields
Careers in fields requiring computational, technical or analytical skills
Graduate programs in engineering, physical sciences and business administration
THE PROGRAMEvery generation faces new and complex challenges. Physics seeks to understand the fundamental constituents of nature leading to an exploration spanning from the subatomic scale of atoms (particle physics) to the cosmic scale of galaxies and the Universe (astrophysics and cosmology). But the critical thinking skills that students master through their analysis of these various complex physical systems are transferable toward the solution of all complex problems.
A physics-based education provides a strong foundation upon which numerous career and research paths can begin—including, but not exclusive to, engineering. The goal of the physics department is to provide students with an educational experience that is tailored to their specific passions and interests.
The physics faculty is committed to superior teaching, supported by a 13-to-1 student-faculty ratio and close faculty-student interaction promoting discussion and exploration.
A Flexible Path: With five major branches of study (chemical, civil, electrical, mechanical and systems), the field of engineering is extremely broad, encompassing a range of specialties and subfields. The engineering physics program, in concert with a liberal arts core, allows students to discover which of these options align with their strengths and passions. And since the engineering physics, physics and applied physics programs are served by the same introductory courses, students who start at Xavier University undecided on their specific major can defer their choice to the junior year.
This program also provides a strong foundation to pursue a master’s degree in many fields of engineering. This 4+2 approach leads to an advanced degree with only one extra year of study over a traditional 5-year undergraduate engineering program. And since many graduate programs offer scholarships and other forms of financial support, the overall cost can be comparable, and even less, than the cost of attending a traditional 5-year program.
Research: Engineering physics majors are encouraged to work with faculty in research/design projects, and department fellowships support student research efforts during the summer. In addition, every engineering-physics major must complete a senior design project as a requirement of graduation. During the fall semester, students will identify an engineering problem, specify a solution, formulate a plan, conduct design and analysis, and purchase tools and materials. During the spring semester, students will fabricate, assemble, test, and evaluate the design of their project. Throughout the experience, the students will provide pertinent, periodic status information as would be expected in an industry environment.
Social aspects: All undergraduate engineering physics majors are members of the Physics Club. Activities include: cookouts for various occasions, classroom movies, trips to Reds ballgames, as well as seminars presented by faculty members. Students who demonstrate excellence in the study of physics are invited to join Sigma Pi Sigma ∑∏∑, the national physics honor society.
Skills: Students who earn a Bachelor of Science Degree in engineering physics from Xavier University should:
Display intellectual curiosity regarding physical processes.
Demonstrate a working knowledge and understanding of fundamental engineering and physics principles.
Display critical thinking skills required for the analysis and synthesis of knowledge pertaining to physical and chemical processes.
Be equipped with technical skills and abilities for success in a career in a scientifically or technically oriented business or industry.
Display abilities useful for carrying out independent investigation and originality of thought; i.e. develop creative thinking skills necessary for effectively combining knowledge obtained from differing fields and disciplines.
Display effective oral and written communication skills especially with regards to communicating scientific theories and models, data, results, outcomes, and proposals.
OUTCOMESIn addition to pursuing graduate study, engineering physics majors are prepared for a range of employment opportunities in science, industry and research. Engineering physics is a new program at Xavier, but positions held by Xavier physics graduates include:• Attaché, U.S. Department of State• Comptroller, ITT Corp.• University professor• High-school teacher• Researcher, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory• Researcher, Argonne National Laboratory• Medical doctor• Lawyer• Vice president, IBM• Vice president, Macy’s• Veterinarian• Product developer, Procter & Gamble• Nuclear naval officer• NASA engineer• Venture capitalist• Executive officer, Army Corps of Engineers
Xavier physics graduates have gone on to graduate programs at: • Harvard• Stanford• Johns Hopkins• Carnegie-Mellon • Ohio State• University of Michigan• Michigan State• Purdue• Illinois• Georgia Institute of Technology• University of California-Berkeley • Yale
XAVIER AT A GLANCEFounded in 1831, Xavier University is a Jesuit Catholic university in Cincinnati, Ohio, annually ranked among the nation’s best universities. Its three colleges offer 86 undergraduate majors, 54 minors and 11 graduate programs to 7,019 total students, including 4,368 undergraduates.
Office of Admission3800 Victory ParkwayCincinnati, Ohio 45207-5131
FOR MORE INFORMATION
OFFICE OF ADMISSION
Phone: 513-745-3301 877-XUADMIT (982-3648)Fax: 513-745-4319Email: [email protected]: www.xavier.edu
DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS
Marco Fatuzzo, PhD, ChairPhone: 513-745-3621Email: [email protected]: www.xavier.edu/physicsOn Campus: 110 Lindner Hall
RESOURCESThe physics program is located in the Carl H. Lindner Family Physics Building, which is part of the Xavier Science Center that includes Logan Hall (chemistry) and Albers Hall (biology). Lindner Hall houses lecture rooms, classrooms, faculty offices and a variety of research facilities, including laboratories for electronics, holography, optical trapping, quantum optics, device physics, superconductivity, atomic and nuclear physics, and biophysics. The building also includes an astronomical observatory and a complete machine shop. A dedicated student lounge offers a place to relax, socialize and study. Students also have extensive use of computer facilities and wireless network access.
A STRONG COMMUNITYGuided by the University Mission, and driven by a commitment to the common good and to the education of the whole person, it is the goal of the physics department to be a learning community that fosters thought, discussion, and exploration through meaningful interactions among students and faculty. A centrally located student lounge, an accessible faculty, courses that stress active participation, hands-on experiences in modern laboratory and research facilities, and student-faculty research opportunities are all integral parts of this learning community.
THE CAMPUS
Xavier is continually growing and expanding with the intention of making the campus and facilities more conducive to learning. The most recent project is a complete renovation of Alter Hall, the main classroom building, which is expected to open at the start of the 2015 academic year. This renovation turns the traditional classroom space into state-of-the-art learning areas designed for teaching and learning as it is done in the 21st century, such as:
Flexible classrooms, with movable tables to accommodate group learning.
Open classrooms for collaboratory learning.
�Outdoor classroom space—for those nice days when being inside is not what students want.
Study rooms, which are big enough for four people, have whiteboard walls and are highly popular with students.
CORE CURRICULUMThe foundation of Xavier’s success is its commitment to its Jesuit heritage. The Core Curriculum embodies Xavier’s mission and philosophy of education and serves as a valuable foundation for all undergraduate students.
Within the Core, the four-course Ethics/Religion and Society (E/RS) Focus fosters students’ understanding of socially significant issues through study of the humanities, especially literature, philosophy and theology, as well as the social and natural sciences.
Along with courses in their major, Xavier students also take Core courses in: cultural diversity, English composition, fine arts, foreign language, history, literature, mathematics, philosophy, science, social science and theology.
ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTSThe engineering physics major requires 23 semester hours of specific physics courses, 27 semester hours of specific engineering courses, 18 semester hours of mathematics/computer science courses, 4-5 semester hours of specific chemistry or biology courses, and 3 hours of an elective course in physics, mathematics, or computer science. Upon successful completion of the undergraduate program, students receive a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in engineering physics.
Xavier is an equal opportunity educator and employer. Information in this brochure is correct as of 3/12.
