Engineering Physics Mission, Goals, & Objectives

The Physics Department Mission

The mission of the Department of Physics is to provide in-depth training in physics or engineering physics to our majors and minors to prepare them for careers in the private sector/industry, government labs, and secondary education, or to attend graduate school. This is achieved through a student-centered program that emphasizes coursework and high-impact research/internship opportunities focused on problem solving, critical thinking, experimental, and computational skills as well as technical written and verbal communication.

 

Engineering Physics Program Goals and Objectives

 

Program Goal 1: Graduates from our program will have a working understanding and knowledge of fundamental areas in physics/engineering.

  • Outcome 1.1: Students can use principles, laws, and concepts to solve and present problems and explain phenomena in the following areas of physics at the introductory level: fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, optics, special relativity, quantum mechanics, atomic and nuclear physics.
  • Outcome 1.2: Students can use principles, laws, and concepts to solve and present problems and explain phenomena in the following areas of physics/engineering at the introductory and advanced level: classical/engineering mechanics and electromagnetic theory/materials science.

 

Program Goal 2: Graduates from our program will have a working understanding and knowledge of mathematics along with computational skills necessary for advanced work in physics/engineering.

  • Outcome 2.1: Students can solve problems and explain physical phenomena using the concepts of advanced mathematics as they apply to physics/engineering.
  • Outcome 2.2: Students can solve physics/engineering problems across the curriculum utilizing computers and be proficient in one or more programming languages.

 

Program Goal 3: Graduates from our program will be skilled in the methods of scientific research and investigation and/or engineering design.

  • Outcome 3.1: Students can formulate testable hypotheses/models; design and execute appropriate experimental measurements or phenomenological methods to test these hypotheses/models; and collect, analyze, and evaluate experimental data or computational output.
  • Outcome 3.2: Students can skillfully apply the engineering design process: defining a problem, identifying constraints on solutions and criteria for success, proposing solutions, selecting the best solution, creating and testing a prototype, and iterating.

 

Program Goal 4: Graduates from our program will have effective written and verbal communication skills.

  • Outcome 4.1: Students can clearly present solutions to physics/engineering problems and results of experimental/theoretical investigations orally using appropriate technical vocabulary and mathematical notation.
  • Outcome 4.2: Students can clearly present solutions to physics/engineering problems and results of experimental/theoretical investigations in a written format using appropriate technical vocabulary and mathematical notation.

 

Program Goal 5: Graduates from our program will apply learning to professional activities.

  • Outcome 5.1: Students can apply their integrated skill set to professional activities: research, peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, internships, and post-LVC programs.

 


For more information on learning goals and outcomes, contact institutionalresearch@lvc.edu.

Physics Department Results for the ETS Major Field Test in Physics

The Major Field Test in Physics is a two-hour exam that consists of 70 multiple-choice questions. The emphasis of the test is on the students’ firm grasp of fundamental physics principles and their ability to apply an understanding of them in the solution of problems. The main topics covered include classical mechanics and relativity, electromagnetism, optics and waves, thermodynamics, statistical mechanics, quantum mechanics, and atomic physics. There are also some questions on condensed matter physics, nuclear and elementary particle physics, laboratory methods, the Hamiltonian and Lagrangian formalism, astrophysics, computer applications, and mathematical methods.

Each year, the LVC Department of Physics administers the test to graduating seniors. The results for individual years can be found below as well as the combined results for all years. The median overall score for LVC students is the 53rd percentile, and several students have scored above the 80th percentile.