Engineering Physics

Program Description

The engineering physics program, offered in cooperation with the Department of Physics, leads to the degree of BSc in Engineering Physics. It is more fundamental than the electrical engineering program and provides students with an extensive background in mathematics and physics. Within the program is the Nanoengineering Option which focuses on aspects of the emerging field of nanotechnology and provides a more interdisciplinary perspective appropriate to that field.

Students who want to take engineering physics must have a high standing in mathematics and physics and normally are required to have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the first year. Exceptions to this rule may be made by the Chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

In this program, the core material consists of courses in the basic sciences and electrical engineering. This provides a basis for more intensive studies in a number of specialized areas in electrical engineering. These areas are covered by elective courses chosen to meet the student's requirements. Some of these areas are lasers, plasmas, communications, microelectronics, microwave, and high vacuum.

Common Work Term Tasks

On their work terms, engineering physics co-op students can contribute to / perform the following tasks:

  • equipment design and specifications
  • assembly, wiring, and testing
  • computer applications
  • telecommunications systems
  • network design and installation
  • instrumentation and controls
  • design digital/analog hardware
  • quality assurance testing
  • power transmission/distribution
  • application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC) and printed circuit board (PCB) design
  • feasibility studies
  • energy audits
  • regulatory reviews
  • global positioning systems
  • radio frequency technology
  • fibre optics systems
  • schematics and wiring diagrams

Nanoengineering Option

The emerging field of nanotechnology crosses many disciplines, including engineering, biology, chemistry, and physics. Structures and devices engineered on the scale of less than 100nm will have significant impact on how we create materials, process information, sense the environment, use energy, manufacture goods and practice medicine. The nanoengineering option provides broad skills suitable for entry to the nanotechnology professions, combining core electrical engineering and physics courses with additional instruction in biochemistry and chemistry, and specialized instruction in nanoelectronics, nanobioengineering, and nanofabrication.

Last update: August 2, 2018