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Program Review

Degrees and Programs Engineering Physics

The rapid growth of scientific knowledge and its applications creates a big demand for people well trained in physics and engineering.

Physicists seek a fundamental understanding of the physical universe. Engineers apply scientific knowledge to design and develop structures, machines and products. Students may pursue the engineering physics major with an emphasis in either area. The physics emphasis stresses fundamental science and mathematics essential for graduate study or professional work in physics. The engineering emphasis, while not a formal engineering program, provides a strong conceptual base for an engineering career. In addition the 3-2 dual-degree program allows for a full engineering program.

Sample Schedule

FIRST YEAR
Fall (18)
  • PHY 21: General Physics (4)
  • PHY 22: Gen. Phys. Lab (1) 
  • MA 9: Calculus (4) 
  • RS 20: Christian Doctrine (4) 
  • ENG 2: English Composition (4) 
  • PEA 32: Fitness for Life (1)
Spring (18)
  • PHY 23: General Physics (4)
  • PHY 24: Gen. Phys. Lab (1)
  • MA 10: Calculus (4)
  • RS (10): New Testament (4)
  • GE (4)
  • PEA elective (1)
SECOND YEAR
Fall (17)
  • PHY 25: Modern Physics (4) 
  • MA 19: Multivariable Calculus (4) 
  • CHM 5: General Chemistry (4) 
  • RS 1: Old Testament (4) 
  • PEA elective (1)
Spring (18)
  • PHY 26: Modern Physics Lab. (1)
  • PHY 40: Differential Equations (4)
  • CHM 6: General Chemistry (4)
  • PHI 6: Philosophy (4)
  • HIS 10: Perspectives World Hist. (4)
THIRD YEAR
Fall (16)
  • PHY 115: Mathematical Physics (4) 
  • PHY 150: Electricity and Magnetism (4) 
  • General Education (8)
Spring (16)
  • PHY 130 Mechanics (4)
  • PHY 151: Optics (4)
  • General Education (8)
FOURTH YEAR
FALL (16)
  • CS 10: Intro to Computer Science (4) 
  • General Education (12) 
SPRING (15)
  • PHY 142: Circuits & Electronics (4)
  • PHY 143: Electronics Laboratory (1)
  • PHY 195: Senior Seminar (1)
  • PHY 170/198 Adv. Lab/Research (1)
  • General Education (4)
  • FIRST YEAR
  • SECOND YEAR
  • THIRD YEAR
  • FOURTH YEAR

3-2 Dual Degree Engineering Physics Program

Combine an engineering physics degree from Westmont with study at an engineering school. Students usually spend three years at Westmont and benefit from its liberal arts emphasis and Christian committee before finishing with two years at an engineering school, earning baccalaureate degrees from both a formal engineering degree from schools such as Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Boston University, UC Santa Barbara, USC or Washington University, and from Westmont.

3-2 Dual Degree Engineering Physics Program Sample Schedule

First Year
Fall (18)
  • PHY 21: General Physics (4)
  • PHY 22: Gen. Phys. Lab (1)
  • MA 9: Calculus (4)
  • RS 20: Christian Doctrine (4)
  • ENG 2: English Composition (4)
  • PEA 32: Fitness for Life (1)
Spring (18)
  • PHY 23: General Physics (4)
  • PHY 24: Gen. Phys. Lab (1)
  • MA 10: Calculus (4)
  • RS (10): New Testament (4)
  • GE (4)
  • PEA elective (1)
Second Year
Fall (17)
  • PHY 25: Modern Physics (4)
  • MA 19: Multivariable Calculus (4)
  • CHM 5: General Chemistry (4)
  • RS 1: Old Testament (4)
  • PEA elective (1)
Spring (18)
  • PHY 26: Modern Physics Lab. (1)
  • PHY 40: Differential Equations (4)
  • CHM 6: General Chemistry (4)
  • PHI 6: Philosophy (4)
  • HIS 10: Perspectives World Hist. (4)
  • PEA Elective (1)
Third Year
Fall (16)
  • PHY 115: Mathematical Physics (4)
  • PHY 150: Electricity and Magnetism (4) 
  • General Education (8)
Spring (17)
  • PHY 130 Mechanics (4)
  • PHY 142: Circuits & Electronics (4)
  • PHY 143: Electronics Laboratory (1)
  • General Education (8)
  • First Year
  • Second Year
  • Third Year

Faculty Highlights

Robert Haring-Kaye, Ph.D.

Smashes atoms together at large-scale particle accelerator laboratories

Read more

Michael Sommermann, Ph.D.

A nuclear physicist who takes astronomical photos

Read more

Ben Carlson, Ph.D.

Searches for new fundamental particles at the large Hadron Collider

Read more

Ken Kihlstrom, Ph.D. Professor Emeritus

Demonstrates physics by lying on a bed of nails and walking on hot coals

Read more

Will Allison, M.S. Lab Manager, Instructor

A mechanical design engineer with extensive experience in CAD and prototyping

Read more

All Faculty

Adjunct Faculty

 

 

Meet the Staff

Susan Leyva, Academic Administrative Assistant

Assistant to the Mathematics/Computer Science and Physics/Engineering Physics Departments

Email: sleyva@westmont.edu
Tel: (805) 565-6174
Office: Winter Hall 300

Career Paths

The engineering physics degree prepares students with good academic records to enter graduate school in physics or engineering. They learn to think logically and analytically about the objective behavior of physical systems and acquire specific technical skills preparing them for a variety of careers such as:

  • Medicine
  • Law
  • Secondary or College-Level Teaching
  • Church Ministry
  • Technical Writing
  • Patent Work
  • Geophysical or Marine Exploration
  • Medical Technology

CURRENT DEPARTMENT NEWS

 

Physics Major Lexy Gillette Wins Top Oxford  Scholarship

Engineering Physics Alumni Highlights

Christina Dubell ('21) was an outstanding student, musician, and leader at Westmont, exemplifying the Christian liberal arts. She maintained a double major in Engineering Physics and Music while serving as the Concertmaster of the Westmont Orchestra and first violinist of our top string quartet for numerous concerts and venues. From the outset of her time at the college she was driven to accomplish every goal for mastering both the intuition and mathematical complexities of physics and the creative but also technical work of understanding and producing beautiful music. She completed the major honors project "Measuring Protein Adsorption with "EW-CRDS" in Physical Chemistry with Professor Michael Everest and earned the Outstanding Graduate Award in both the Physics/Engineering and Music departments for 2021. Christina is currently pursuing a PhD in Biomedical Engineering at Texas A&M University.

Logan Hodgson ('21) came to Westmont as an Augustinian Scholar and left as a triple major in Engineering Physics, Music, and Mathematics (not the easiest path to graduation). A brilliant student in his classes, he also served as an outstanding TA that many students came to depend on. He combined an uncanny intuitive understanding of physics with the mathematical chops to handle the hardest of calculations. He served as principal cellist of the Westmont Orchestra on numerous occasions and was a very active chamber musician in the top string quartet. An accomplished researcher, he also worked at Las Cumbres Observatory analyzing thermal noise in CCD arrays as well as developing software for tracking asteroid orbits. Logan also earned the distinction of winning the Outstanding Graduate Award in both the Physics/Engineering and Music departments for 2021. He is currently pursuing an M.S. in Electrical Engineering at Cal Poly SLO.

Faith Palombi ('21) excelled as an Engineering Physics major at Westmont. A gifted researcher, Faith worked closely with Westmont physics professors Robert Haring-Kaye and Michael Sommermann on novel research projects in nuclear physics and astronomy, respectively. In particular, her valuable contributions to the nuclear physics research resulted in her status as second author of a paper recently submitted for consideration as a Regular Article publication in Physical Review C, the premier domestic journal for nuclear physics research. Her outstanding results were also on display as a poster presentation at the 2021 Westmont College Student Research Symposium. Faith is currently working as a Software Engineer for General Motors in Austin, Texas. 

 

Bethany Sutherland (’12), a dancer and an artist, earned a Bachelor of Science in engineering physics at Westmont, embracing both science and the arts. She works as an associate project manager at Santa Barbara Imaging Systems.

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