Students interested in Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, Acoustical Engineering, and other closely-related fields need a strong foundation in physics and mathematics - a major in physics and at least a minor in math should be taken by such students.

As part of their major in physics, the following courses will be required: 

PHYS 281 Modern Physics I [REQUIRED]-- An introduction to special relativity and elementary topics in quantum physics. The history and development of experimental and theoretical work in the physics of the 20th century are strongly emphasized.

PHYS 282 Modern Physics II [REQUIRED]-- A continuation of PHYS 281 with applications of quantum physics to nuclear, atomic, solid state, elementary particle physics and astrophysics.

PHYS 311 Electronics [REQUIRED]-- An introduction to linear circuits, including transistors and other solid state devices, techniques of electrical measurement, and application of electrical measurement techniques in experiments in modern physics.

PHYS 312 Advanced Laboratory [REQUIRED]-- The emphasis of this course is the laboratory study of the principles of experimental design, procedures and analysis. Students design and perform experiments from various branches of physics.

MATH 240: Linear algebra [REQUIRED]-- Many physical systems are linear. Linear algebra gives you tools to deal with multiple linear equations at the same time and fine solutions in efficient ways.

MATH 351: Ordinary Differential Equations [REQUIRED]--Differential equations is an area of theoretical and applied mathematics with a large number of important problems associated with the physical, biological, and social sciences. Analytic (separation, integration factors, and Laplace transforms), qualitative (phase and bifurcation diagrams), and numerical (Runge-Kutta) methods are developed for linear and nonlinear first- and higher-order single equations as well as linear and nonlinear systems of first-order equations. Emphasis is given to applications and extensive use of a computer algebra system.

In addition, the following mechanics-focused physics courses are highly recommended for these students

PHYS 238, Statics [HIGHLY RECOMMENDED]-- Application of the principle that in order for an object (like a bridge) to remain stationary, the net force on that object has to be zero. Includes a bridge-building and analysis project.

PHYS 352, Mechanics of Materials [HIGHLY RECOMMENDED]-- All materials are flexible and will deform when forces are applied to them. This course helps you use that idea to account for deformations in real structures like bridges and buildings, to try to prevent unintentional failures.

PHYS 359, Thermal Physics [RECOMMENDED]-- Many engineering design applications require knowledge about thermodynamics and how systems behavior when heat is transferred from one object to another.

PHYS 361, Classical Mechanics [HIGHLY RECOMMENDED]-- Many designs do not stay stationary, but instead are intended to move at high speed, have rotating or vibrating components, or may indeed orbit a planet. Classical Mechanics helps you apply your knowledge of dynamics to many real-world systems.

In addition, these Applied Mathematics courses will prove very useful for students interested in these fields:

MATH 253: Multivariable Calculus [HIGHLY RECOMMENDED]-- Sometimes called Calculus 3, Multivariable calculus helps us understand how more complex functions can depend on more than one variable.

MATH 321/322/327: Statistics courses [RECOMMENDED]-- Statistics help us understand complicated systems where there are not clear identifiable relationships between variables. Biological and human systems often can be better understood through use of statistics, but statistics also applies to physical and chemical principles as well.

MATH 452: Partial Differential Equations [RECOMMENDED]-- An introduction to initial and boundary value problems associated with certain linear partial differential equations (Laplace, heat and wave equations). Fourier series methods, including the study of best approximation in the mean and convergence, will be a focus. Sturm-Liouville problems and associated eigenfunctions will be included. Numerical methods, such as finite difference, finite element and finite analytic, may be introduced, including the topics of stability and convergence of numerical algorithms. Extensive use of a computer algebra system.

MATH 456: Functions of a Complex Variable [RECOMMENDED]-- Knowledge of how to use complex numbers (numbers involving the imaginary number i) is useful for many fields of engineering, but used most commonly by electrical engineers. Students interested in electrical engineering are highly recommended to take this course.