As an engineering physics major, you will gain the scientific rigor and hands-on engineering training needed to address design challenges in the 21st century.

Bachelor of Science in Engineering Physics

Two students work with equipment in a UMass Lowell engineering physics lab

Are you looking to apply your interest in physics to innovate and transform the world of tomorrow? Bridge the gap between science and engineering with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Physics. This interdisciplinary program combines core physics principles with applied engineering skills.

You learn to solve complex technical problems using math, physics and design thinking. Coursework blends theory with hands-on experience in labs, computation and instrumentation.

Early research opportunities let you work with faculty on cutting-edge projects. Complete a capstone research project and gain experience valued by employers.

You'll graduate ready for careers in the engineering and technology sectors, or for graduate study.

What Can You Do with a Degree in Engineering Physics?

Our program prepares students for careers where advanced math skills, experience in computer modeling and familiarity with engineering principles are required, including the research and development in emerging technologies.

A student wearing a lab coat and hat installs wires into equipment in a UMass Lowell lab.

Our physics alumni have worked at:

  • Argonne National Laboratory
  • Draper Laboratory
  • Dupont
  • Los Alamos National Lab
  • MIT Lincoln Labs
  • MITRE Corporation
  • Oak Ridge National Lab 
  • Raytheon
  • U.S. Department of Energy
  • U.S. Naval Research Lab

Year-by-Year Course Plan

Check out our degree pathways, which offer sample plans for completing your degree in four years.

For students who entered fall 2022 and beyond.

Freshman Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total16
PHYS.1120Freshman Physics Seminar0
PHYS.1610Honors Physics I4
PHYS.1610LHonors Physics I Laboratory2
ENGL.1010 /
HONR.1100
College Writing I /
First Year Seminar in Honors: Text in the City (CW)
3
MATH.1310Calculus I (MATH)4
xxxx.xxxxSocial Sciences Perspective (SS)13

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total17
PHYS.1120Freshman Physics Seminar1
PHYS.1640Honors Physics II4
PHYS.1640LHonors Physics II Lab2
ENGL.1020College Writing II (CW)3
MATH.1320Calculus II (STEM)4
xxxx.xxxxArts and Humanities Perspective (AH)13

Sophomore Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total15
PHYS.2690Honors Physics III4
CHEM.1210Chemistry I (SCL)3
CHEM.1230LChemistry I Laboratory (SCL)1
MATH.2310Calculus III4
PHYS.2610LThe Physics of Materials and Devices3

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total16
CHEM.1220Chemistry II (SCL)3
CHEM.1240LChemistry II Laboratory (SCL)1
EECE.2160ECE Application Programming3
MATH.2340
Differential Equations
3
PHIL.2410Engineering and Ethics (AH), (SRE)3
PHYS.2100Introductory Modern Physics3

Junior Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total14
EECE.2010Circuit Theory I3
EECE.2070Basic Electrical Engineering Laboratory I2
EECE.2650Logic Design3
PHYS.3530 /
EECE.3600
Electromagnetism I /
Engineering Electromagnetics I
3
PHYS.3810Mathematical Physics I3

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total14
EECE.2020Circuit Theory II3
EECE.2080Basic Electrical Engineering Lab II2
PHYS.3540 /
EECE.4610
Electromagnetism II /
Engineering Electromagnetics II
3
PHYS.3820Mathematical Physics II3
PHYS.4350Introductory Quantum Mechanics I3

Senior Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total15
EECE.xxxxElectrical and Computer Engineering Elective3
PHYS.xxxxPhysics Elective3
PHYS.xxxxPhysics Elective3
xxxx.xxxxSocial Sciences Perspective (SS)3
xxxx.xxxxArts and Humanities Perspective (AH)3

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total14
PHYS.3930LAdvanced Experimental Physics Laboratory I (CTPS), (QL)2
PHYS.4540Physics Capstone (WOC), (AIL), (IL)3
PHYS.xxxxPhysics Elective3
EECE.xxxxElectrical and Computer Engineering Elective3
xxxx.xxxxSocial Sciences Perspective (SS)3

Total Minimum Credits = 121

1The Core Curriculum Essential Learning outcome for Diversity and Cultural Awareness (DCA) is met outside this major. See the DCA course list for a catalog of classes satisfying this requirement.

No more than two Breadth of Knowledge (BOK) courses can be taken with the same prefix. The Core Curriculum courses may be taken in any sequence. Refer to the Core Curriculum policy for further details. You should meet with your faculty advisor to determine how you will meet the Core Curriculum requirements.

Current UMass Lowell students should use their Advisement Report in SiS. If you need assistance, please contact your adviser.

Restriction on off-campus study:

Be advised that any course taken at another institution must be formally approved prior to enrollment. See the catalog policy for details.

Breadth of Knowledge (BOK) Glossary

  • SS - Social Sciences Perspective - 9 credits
  • AH - Arts and Humanities Perspective - 9 credits
  • SCL - Sciences with Lab Perspective - 6-8 credits
  • STEM - Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Perspective - 3 credits
  • CW - College Writing I and II - 6 credits
  • MATH - Math Perspective - 3 credits

Read more about the Breadth of Knowledge requirements.

Essential Learning Outcomes (ELO) Glossary

  • AIL - Applied and Integrative Learning
  • CTPS - Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
  • DCA - Diversity and Cultural Awareness
  • IL - Information Literacy
  • QL - Quantitative Literacy
  • SRE - Social Responsibility and Ethics
  • WOC - Written and Oral Communication

Read more about the Essential Learning Outcomes.

For students who entered fall 2022 and beyond.

Freshman Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total16
PHYS.1120Freshman Physics Seminar0
PHYS.1610Honors Physics I4
PHYS.1610LHonors Physics I Laboratory2
ENGL.1010 /
HONR.1100
College Writing I /
First Year Seminar in Honors: Text in the City (CW)
3
MATH.1310Calculus I (MATH)4
xxxx.xxxxSocial Sciences Perspective (SS)13

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total17
PHYS.1120Freshman Physics Seminar1
PHYS.1640Honors Physics II4
PHYS.1640LHonors Physics II Lab2
ENGL.1020College Writing II (CW)3
MATH.1320Calculus II (STEM)4
ENGN.2050Statics3

Sophomore Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total15
PHYS.2690Honors Physics III4
CHEM.1210Chemistry I (SCL)3
CHEM.1230LChemistry I Laboratory (SCL)1
MATH.2310Calculus III4
ENGN.2060Strength of Materials3

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total16
CHEM.1220Chemistry II (SCL)3
CHEM.1240LChemistry II Laboratory (SCL)1
MATH.2340
Differential Equations
3
MECH.2960Material Science for Engineers3
PHYS.2100Introductory Modern Physics3
PHYS.2620LPrinciples in Laboratory Automation3

Junior Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total15
PHYS.3530 /
EECE.3600
Electromagnetism I /
Engineering Electromagnetics I
3
PHYS.3810Mathematical Physics I3
PHYS.4130Mechanics3
PHIL.2410Engineering and Ethics (AH), (SRE)3
MECH.xxxxMechanical Engineering Elective3

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total15
MECH.3810Fluid Mechanics3
PHYS.3820Mathematical Physics II3
PHYS.4350Introductory Quantum Mechanics I3
PHYS.xxxxPhysics Elective3
xxxx.xxxxSocial Sciences Perspective (SS)3

Senior Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total12
MECH.3820Heat Transfer3
MECH.xxxxMechanical Engineering Elective3
PHYS.xxxxPhysics Elective3
xxxx.xxxxArts and Humanities Perspective (AH)13

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total14
PHYS.3930LAdvanced Experimental Physics Laboratory I (CTPS), (QL)2
PHYS.4540Physics Capstone (WOC), (AIL), (IL)3
PHYS.xxxxPhysics Elective3
xxxx.xxxxArts and Humanities Perspective (AH)3
xxxx.xxxxSocial Sciences Perspective (SS)3

Total Minimum Credits = 120

1The Core Curriculum Essential Learning outcome for Diversity and Cultural Awareness (DCA) is met outside this major. See the DCA course list for a catalog of classes satisfying this requirement.

No more than two Breadth of Knowledge (BOK) courses can be taken with the same prefix. The Core Curriculum courses may be taken in any sequence. Refer to the Core Curriculum policy for further details. You should meet with your faculty advisor to determine how you will meet the Core Curriculum requirements.

Current UMass Lowell students should use their Advisement Report in SiS. If you need assistance, please contact your adviser.

Restriction on off-campus study:

Be advised that any course taken at another institution must be formally approved prior to enrollment. See the catalog policy for details.

Breadth of Knowledge (BOK) Glossary

  • SS - Social Sciences Perspective - 9 credits
  • AH - Arts and Humanities Perspective - 9 credits
  • SCL - Sciences with Lab Perspective - 6-8 credits
  • STEM - Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Perspective - 3 credits
  • CW - College Writing I and II - 6 credits
  • MATH - Math Perspective - 3 credits

Read more about the Breadth of Knowledge requirements.

Essential Learning Outcomes (ELO) Glossary

  • AIL - Applied and Integrative Learning
  • CTPS - Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
  • DCA - Diversity and Cultural Awareness
  • IL - Information Literacy
  • QL - Quantitative Literacy
  • SRE - Social Responsibility and Ethics
  • WOC - Written and Oral Communication

Read more about the Essential Learning Outcomes.

For students who entered fall 2024 and beyond.

Freshman Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total16
PHYS.1120Freshman Physics Seminar20
PHYS.1610Honors Physics I4
PHYS.1610LHonors Physics I Laboratory2
ENGL.1010 /
HONR.1100
College Writing I /
First Year Seminar in Honors: Text in the City
3
MATH.1310Calculus I4
xxxx.xxxxSocial Sciences Perspective (SS)13

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total17
PHYS.1120Freshman Physics Seminar21
PHYS.1640Honors Physics II 4
PHYS.1640LHonors Physics II Lab2
ENGL.1020College Writing II3
MATH.1320Calculus II4
xxxx.xxxxArts and Humanities Perspective (AH)13

Sophomore Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total15
PHYS.2610LPhysics of Materials and Devices3
PHYS.2690Honors Physics III4
CHEM.1210Chemistry I3
CHEM.1230LChemistry I Laboratory1
MATH.2310Calculus III4

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total16
CHEM.1220Chemistry II3
CHEM.1240LChemistry II Laboratory1
CHEN.3030Fluid Mechanics33
MATH.2340
Differential Equations
3
PHYS.2100Introductory Modern Physics3
PHYS.2620LPrinciples in Laboratory Automation3

Junior Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total15
CHEN.3040Heat Transfer43
MATH.3810Math Physics I3
PHYS.3530 /
EECE.3600
Electromagnetism I /
Engineering Electromagnetics I
3
PHYS.4130Mechanics3
PHIL.3340Engineering and Ethics (AH)1/53

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total15
ENGY.3310Fundamentals of Nuclear Science and Engineering3
PHYS.3820Mathematical Physics II3
PHYS.4350Introductory Quantum Mechanics I3
PHYS.xxxxPhysics Elective63
xxxx.xxxxSocial Sciences Perspective (SS)13

Senior Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total12
PHYS.4060Nuclear Instrumentation3
PHYS.4610Nuclear Physics I3
ENGY.4340Nuclear Reactor Theory3
xxxx.xxxxArts and Humanities Perspective (AH)13

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total15
ENGY.4350Nuclear Reactor Engineering3
PHYS.4410Radiochemistry3
PHYS.4540Physics Capstone3
PHYS.xxxx /
ENGY.xxxx
Elective63
xxxx.xxxxSocial Sciences Perspective (SS)13

Total Minimum Credits = 121

1The Arts and Humanities (AH) and Social Sciences (SS) perspectives are subsets of the Breadth of Knowledge (BOK) requirements in the Core Curriculum. No more than two BOK courses can be taken with the same four-letter prefix.

The Core Curriculum also includes seven Essential Learning Outcomes (ELOs). The Diversity and Cultural Awareness (DCA) ELO and the Social Responsibility and Ethics (SRE) ELO are satisfied outside the major requirements. See the DCA course listing and the SRE course listing for a full list of classes that fulfill these requirements. The Class Search tool can be used to identify AH and SS courses that simultaneously satisfy the DCA or SRE requirement.

The Core Curriculum courses may be taken in any sequence. Refer to the Core Curriculum policy for further details. You should meet with your college-based professional advisor and/or faculty advisor to determine how best to satisfy the Core Curriculum requirements.

2PHYS.1120 Freshman Physics Seminar is not required for students who enter the major as freshman.

3MECH.3810 Fluid Mechanics will also satisfy this requirement. However, this course has a pre-requisite of ENGN.2070 and a co-requisite of MECH.2420 – both of which are not required for the Nuclear Option.

4MECH.3820 Heat Transfer will also satisfy this requirement. This requires MECH.3810, which in turn has a pre-requisite of ENGN.2070 and a co-requisite of MECH.2420 – both of which are not required for the Nuclear Option.

5PHIL.3340 Engineering Ethics satisfies the Arts and Humanities Perspective (AH) for the Breadth of Knowledge requirement as well as the Social Responsibility and Ethics (SRE) requirement.

6Students in the Nuclear option must complete two (2) electives in Physics (PHYS) and Nuclear and Energy Engineering (ENGY) of which one (1) must be a PHYS course.

Physics Electives (at least 3 credits)

Nuclear and Energy Engineering Electives

*Graduate courses (for BS/MS students and qualified undergraduates)

Current UMass Lowell students should use their Advisement Report in SiS. If you need assistance, please contact your adviser.

Restriction on off-campus study:

Be advised that any course taken at another institution must be formally approved prior to enrollment. See the catalog policy for details.

Breadth of Knowledge (BOK) Glossary

  • SS - Social Sciences Perspective - 9 credits
  • AH - Arts and Humanities Perspective - 9 credits
  • SCL - Sciences with Lab Perspective - 6-8 credits
  • STEM - Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Perspective - 3 credits
  • CW - College Writing I and II - 6 credits
  • MATH - Math Perspective - 3 credits

Read more about the Breadth of Knowledge requirements.

Essential Learning Outcomes (ELO) Glossary

  • AIL - Applied and Integrative Learning
  • CTPS - Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
  • DCA - Diversity and Cultural Awareness
  • IL - Information Literacy
  • QL - Quantitative Literacy
  • SRE - Social Responsibility and Ethics
  • WOC - Written and Oral Communication

Read more about the Essential Learning Outcomes.

Why Study Engineering Physics at UMass Lowell?

Two UMass Lowell physics students look at equipment in a classroom.

Research Opportunities

Most of our students gain employment with the department’s research faculty, who bring in millions of dollars per year in federally funded grants. Research topics include: 

  • Space mission design
  • Gamma-ray spectroscopy
  • Lasers on Mars landers
  • Photonics in biomedical applications
  • Observational astronomy
  • Particle accelerators
  • Digital signal processing
  • C++ programming
Two physics students work with equipment in a UMass Lowell lab

World-Class Facilities

Gain access to numerous on-campus facilities and equipment, including:

  • Astronomical observatory
  • Fabrication facilities for space-mission instrumentation
  • Optical and NMR spectroscopic and imaging equipment
  • Femtosecond pulsed lasers
  • Sophisticated terahertz imaging capabilities
Engineering physics student in front of a computer in a UMass Lowell classroom.

Student Organizations

Put your learning into practice by joining student-run clubs and organizations, including:

  • River Hawk Racing
  • Society of Physics Students
Student works with equipment in a UMass Lowell engineering physics lab

Career Connected Experience: The UMass Lowell Guarantee

Every first-time, first-year UMass Lowell student will have the opportunity to pursue at least one Career Connected Experience (internships, co-ops, clinical placements, service learning, study abroad and more) during their undergraduate career — earning pay, credits or both before they graduate.

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