<p>Is engineering physics like a combination of mechanical and electrical engineering and physics?</p>
<p>Isn't it like general, applied physics?</p>
<p>From what I understand the major builds a theoretical understanding of the physics and mathematics relevent to engineering. If you major in EP you would then concentrate your electives in one field like Electrical Engineering.</p>
<p>I have also thought it seems rather similiar to applied physics. I think the difference is that the courses are designed to be more immediately aplicable to engineering. I think it also leaves you more room for a lot of electives in your chosen engineering specialty.</p>
<p>It would be interesting if someone who was actually a EP major could give some imput.</p>
<p>EP isn't really a combination of any traditional engineering majors, but rather it's basically the same as applied physics. Think of it as a physics major who takes applied classes on top of that, like lasers, optics, nanotechnology, etc.</p>
<p>engineering physics definition on college websites...</p>
<p><a href="http://www.math.tarleton.edu/faculty/marble/physics/engineering_physics/%5B/url%5D">http://www.math.tarleton.edu/faculty/marble/physics/engineering_physics/</a>
<a href="http://www.engineering.wright.edu/cecs/whatis/ep.shtml%5B/url%5D">http://www.engineering.wright.edu/cecs/whatis/ep.shtml</a>
<a href="http://www.fortlewis.edu/academics/school_arts_sciences/physics_engineering/program%20info%20docs/Engr-Physics%20program%20docs/Engr-Physics%20program.htm%5B/url%5D">http://www.fortlewis.edu/academics/school_arts_sciences/physics_engineering/program%20info%20docs/Engr-Physics%20program%20docs/Engr-Physics%20program.htm</a>
<a href="http://www.people.virginia.edu/%7Eew2k/epmockup/about.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.people.virginia.edu/~ew2k/epmockup/about.html</a></p>
<p>Engineering physics is the physics behind the engineering for people to research more engineering. General engineering is working with the current technology while EP is for the future.</p>
<p>There is actually no well-defined boundary between Applied Physics and Engineering Physics. </p>
<p>One difference is that some EP degree programs are ABET-accredited. Notable among the top EP programs that are accredited are Cornell and Princeton. However, I must stress the word 'some'. Plenty of other top EP programs, like Berkeley's, are unaccredited. </p>
<p>Besides, I think accreditation is a fairly weak indicator of quality anyway. SouthEast Missouri State has an accredited EP program, but that doesn't mean that I would recommend it over a regular Physics program at, say, MIT. MIT doesn't have an EP program, but I think despite that fact, very few people would choose to turn down MIT for SE Missouri State, no matter how interested they are in EP.</p>
<p>Which engineering discipline is EP closest to?</p>
<p>Is EP more or less versatile than other engineering disciplines?</p>
<p>Im guessing EP is close to Applied Physics. At my school, Applied Physics is a track under Electrical/Computer Engineering.</p>
<p>Engineering Physics is a lot like Electrical Engineering.</p>
<p>At my University, I've heard it been described as "Electrical Engineering on steroids." The program is supposed to be a real grinder. There's a lot of work with optics, lasers, and photons.</p>
<p>EngPhys is very versatile. But it is supposed to set you up for graduate studies, not necessarily get you a job right away (but you can).</p>
<p>My major interest right now is chemical engineering, but electrical engineering and nanotech is becoming more interesting to me. I might consider EE, but EP seems like EE with physics, and learning more things couldn't hurt.</p>
<p>I just feel that physics is more versatile than chemistry, although chemistry is my main interest.</p>
<p>EP is not really like EE at all. You don't take the standard EE curriculum of circuit analysis and design, analog and digital signal processing, microelectronic devices, digital systems design, and computer programming, but rather focus on applied physics topics like lasers, optics, and electromagnetics.</p>
<p>I always thought photonics was under EE rather than EP. That's where I got confused. Thanks for clearing that up.</p>
<p>Photonics is one area where EE and EP sometimes overlap. Many photonics applications involve optoelectronic devices, so those could fall under EE. On the other hand, schools which have a separate EP or AP (applied physics) program often place photonics there rather than EE.</p>