Engineering Physics
Engineering Physics offers a multidisciplinary approach to engineering with a curriculum that blends courses from engineering, physics, math, and another science field of your choice. The Engineering Physics major lays the foundation for a broad range of career options in both engineering and the physical sciences.
Studying Engineering Physics at R-MC gives you time to explore the many subfields of engineering, or to concentrate on one of them, within a setting where you’ll build strong relationships with faculty and enjoy class sizes averaging fewer than 30 students.
Most students in the major will plan to continue their educations after R-MC and specialize through graduate studies, as the majority of engineering careers demand an advanced degree. However, some students may first choose to spend time working in a technical position after R-MC to gain a broader knowledge of the field. The Engineering Physics major will prepare students for both options.
While the Engineering Physics major will provide students the core engineering course work, it will not lead to a BS in Engineering. The benefit of the EPHY major is to permit students time to explore the myriad of engineering fields over their four years of study at Randolph-Macon before deciding which one of them to specialize in at the graduate level. Students will have the opportunity to work alongside practicing engineers through internships, on-campus student research projects, and government-sponsored summer research programs.
The Engineering Physics (EPHY) curriculum
See course requirements for the major and minor
150 – Introduction to Engineering: Stress, Strain, and Fluids – This course will investigate the effects of applied forces on solids and fluids. The student will explore conditions for static equilibrium, elastic and plastic deformations, stress, strain, and laminar fluid flow. Prerequisites: PHYS 151. Three hours
250 – Engineering Mechanics: Statics– This course will be a rigorous treatment of rigid-body mechanics associated with objects at rest or moving at constant velocity. A problem-solving approach will be used to provide students a thorough understanding of the theory involving equilibrium, frame and truss analysis, friction, centroid and moments of inertia. Prerequisites: PHYS 152 and MATH 131 or 141. Three hours.
255 – Engineering Mechanics: Dynamics – This course will be a rigorous treatment of rigid-body mechanics associated with accelerating objects. A problem-solving approach will be used to provide students a thorough understanding of the theory involving Newton’s Laws, work-energy, impulse and momentum, kinematics and kinetics of objects that will go beyond PHYS 151-152. Prerequisites: EPHY 250 and MATH 132 or 142. Three hours.
300 – Mechanics of Solids – Mechanics of Solids is the study of stress, deformation, and failure of solid materials. The fundamentals of stress, strain, and elastic theory will be presented along with a study of material properties and deformations caused by shear, bending, torsion, and axial loads. Prerequisites: EPHY 250 and MATH 203 or permission of the instructor. Three hours.
350 – Fluid Mechanics – A fluid is defined as any material that possesses the ability to flow. This course will be an intermediate study of the forces, energy, momentum, and motion of fluids. In particular, the study of pressure, Bernoulli’s Equation, laminar and turbulent flow, and drag and lift theory will be explored. Prerequisites: EPHY 300 and MATH 203 or permission of the instructor. Three hours.
400 – Advanced Engineering Lab – Select laboratory experiments from EPHY 150, 250, 255, and 300 will be conducted by students under the supervision of a faculty member to deepen their understanding of solids, elasticity, and fluids. Data collection and analysis, laboratory recording, and technical writing will be emphasized. This experience will be the foundation for PHYS 450. Prerequisites: permission of the instructor. One hour.
450 – Engineering Physics Capstone – The senior capstone project in Engineering Physics will provide students the opportunity to conduct original research under faculty supervision. A proposal (including a literature review and a research plan) must be submitted to the faculty member no later than the second week of the term in which the research is to be completed. The project will culminate in a formal written report and oral presentation. Prerequisites: permission of the instructor. Three hours.