Study of the combined disciplines in natural science and engineering
Engineering physics, or engineering science, refers to the study of the combined disciplines of
physics,
mathematics,
chemistry,
biology, and
engineering, particularly computer, nuclear, electrical, electronic, aerospace, materials or mechanical engineering. By focusing on the
scientific method as a rigorous basis, it seeks ways to apply, design, and develop new solutions in engineering.[1][2][3]
It is notable that in many languages the term for "engineering physics" would be directly translated into English as "technical physics". In some countries, both what would be translated as "engineering physics" and what would be translated as "technical physics" are disciplines leading to academic degrees, with the former specializing in nuclear power research, and the latter closer to engineering physics.[4] In some institutions, an engineering (or applied) physics major is a discipline or specialization within the scope of engineering science, or applied science.[5][6][7][8]
Whereas typical engineering programs (undergraduate) generally focus on the application of established methods to the design and analysis of engineering solutions in defined fields (e.g. the traditional domains of civil or mechanical engineering), the engineering science programs (undergraduate) focus on the creation and use of more advanced experimental or computational techniques where standard approaches are inadequate (i.e., development of engineering solutions to contemporary problems in the physical and life sciences by applying fundamental principles).
Careers
Qualified engineering physicists, with a degree in Engineering Physics, can work professionally as
engineers and/or
physicists in the
high technology industries and beyond, becoming domain experts in multiple engineering and scientific fields.[9][10][11]