A dual BSEE and BS/BA Physics degree accomplished in 4 years
If you are interested in this program, please contact Prof. Paul Schwoebel (kas@unm.edu)
The expanding national emphasis on innovation means there is a high demand of people with the combined skill set of the engineer's applications focus and the physicist's detailed scientific background. This competence is sought after by industry and positively viewed by graduate school admission committees. Examples of fields that require interdisciplinary education and training are:
- Quantum computation and information
- Nano science and engineering
- Photonics
- Materials science and engineering
The inherent flexibility in the new UNM dual BSEE – BS/BA physics degree program allows the electrical engineering student to tailor the physics degree to complement their end-goals.
Note that a dual degree has a significant advantage over a double major, where you earn one degree with two areas of specialization. With the dual degree you will actually list two degrees on your resume: a BS in EE and a BS in physics or a BA in physics and astrophysics.
You as a student can achieve this with only two supplementary physics courses added to your regular BSEE curriculum (one for the BA). This can be accomplished within 4 years of study as the dual degree uses the BSEE elective requirements to satisfy the physics degree requirements. See below for the dual BS degree plan and the BS/BA degree plan.
Dual degree BSEE/BS in Physics
(Example 4-year roadmap)
Uses 3 elective courses in BSEE (the Basic Science elective, 1 ECE elective (3**/4**) and 1 “elective any class”) plus two additional physics courses selected from the lists below.
- EEBS Basic Science Elective: PHYS 330 (Modern Physics)
- EEBS ECE Elective (3**/4**): PHYS 303 (Analytical Mechanics 1)
- EEBS “Elective any class”: PHYS 491 (Quantum Mechanics 1)
- Any one of:
- PHYS 302L (Optics Lab)
- PHYS 307L (Junior Laboratory – Modern Physics)
- PHYS 476L (Experimental Techniques of Optics)
- ASTR 2110 (General Astronomy 1)
- Any one of:
- PHYS 492 (Quantum Mechanics 2)
- ASTR 423 (Radio Astronomy)
- PHYS 430 (Solid State Physics)
- PHYS 493L (Contemporary Physics Laboratory)
- ECE/PHYS 534 (Plasma Physics)
- PHYS 450 (Subatomic Physics)
- PHYS 480 (Special Topics in P&A: Biophysics, Relativity, Astrophysics…)
- PHYS 463 (Advanced Optics)
- PHYS 464 (Laser Physics)
- PHYS 405 (Electricity and Magnetism 1)
Dual degree BSEE/BA in Physics and Astrophysics
(Example 4-year roadmap)
Uses 3 elective courses in BSEE (the Basic Science elective, 1 ECE elective (3**/4**) and 1 “elective any class”) plus one additional physics course selected from the lists below.
- EEBS Basic Science Elective: PHYS 330 (Modern Physics)
- EEBS ECE Elective (3**/4**): ASTR 2110 (General Astronomy 1)
- Any two of (one as “Elective any class”):
- PHYS 301 (Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics)
- PHYS 302 (Photonics)
- PHYS 302L (Optics Lab)
- PHYC 307L (Junior Laboratory – Modern Physics)
- PHYC 476L (Experimental Techniques of Optics)
- PHYC 491 (Quantum Mechanics 1)
- ASTR 423 (Radio Astronomy)
- PHYS 430 (Solid State Physics)
- PHYS 493L (Contemporary Physics Laboratory)
- ECE/PHYS 534 (Plasma Physics)
- PHYS 450 (Subatomic Physics)
- PHYS 480 (Special Topics in P&A: Biophysics, Relativity, Astrophysics…)
- PHYS 463 (Advanced Optics)
- PHYS 464 (Laser Physics)
- PHYS 405 (Electricity and Magnetism 1)
