Engineering Physics
Department of Electrical Engineering
School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
201 Bell Hall
North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260-2050
Phone: 716.645.2422/2132
Fax: 716.645.3656
Web: www.eng.buffalo.edu/departments/engphysics/index.html
Dennis P. Malone
Co-chair of Program
eledmalo@buffalo.edu
Department of Physics
College of Arts and Sciences
239 Fronczak Hall
North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260-1500
Phone: 716.645.2017
Fax: 716.645.2507
Web: www.physics.buffalo.edu
Michael G. Fuda
Co-chair of Program
fuda@buffalo.edu
About the Department
This program is intended for those students whose interests center on the more fundamental aspects of electrical engineering and physics, but who also wish more extensive contact with the applied aspects (instrumentation, circuit design) of those subjects. The program is designed such that a student can pursue a graduate program in electrical engineering or applied physics, depending on interest. This course of study provides students with a unique combination of the fundamental principles of modern electronics and a thorough education in electrical measurements and instrumentation.
Degrees Offered
Undergraduate: B.S.
About Our Degrees
Acceptance Criteria
Completion of first two semesters.
Minimum grade of “C” in all technical courses (students receiving a grade of “D” or “F” in any technical course during the first two semesters must repeat the course and receive a minimum grade of “C” to be considered for the program).
Acceptance Information
Students interested in being accepted into this program should meet with an advisor from the School of Engineering and Applied Science. They are located in 410 Bonner Hall.
Degree Requirements
Please see the Undergraduate Catalog.
About Our Courses
The program offers lecture courses, lecture/lab courses, and lab courses. The courses taken only by physics majors typically have ten to twenty students in them, the electrical engineering courses have somewhat more. TA’s are only used as recitation or lab instructors in the introductory courses. Students interested in pursuing a degree in engineering physics should begin by taking CHE 107-CHE 108, EAS 140, MTH 141-MTH 142 and PHY 107-PHY 108/PHY 158 or an equivalent honors course.
For physics course descriptions, please see the Undergraduate Catalog.
For electrical engineering course descriptions, please see the Undergraduate Catalog.
About Our Faculty
The physics faculty is comprised of approximately equal number of theorists and experimentalists. Faculty are involved in all areas of physics including condensed matter physics, biophysics, high energy physics, and astrophysics/cosmology.
Five physics faculty members have received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, and eight are Fellows of the American Physical Society.
The Directors of Undergraduate Studies for this program are Professor Michael G. Fuda who can be contacted at fuda@buffalo.edu; 716-645-2017, ext. 192; or 333 Fronczak Hall, and Professor Dennis P. Malone who can be contacted at ELEDMALO@buffalo.edu; or 716-645-2422, ext. 2132.
Special Academic Opportunities
Research
Undergraduate majors regularly become involved in the research activities of the faculty. This can involve independent study, part-time employment, and/or full-time employment during the summer.
Departmental Honors
By completing a senior thesis and obtaining satisfactory grades, it is possible to graduate from the program with Departmental Honors.
Outstanding Senior Award
Each year the Department of Physics chooses an outstanding senior. This student receives a certificate and a monetary award from the department, and also receives a College of Arts and Sciences Dean's Outstanding Senior Award.
Sekula Scholarship
Each year the department awards up to seven scholarships to undergraduate majors involved in one of its programs. This award is based on merit, as well as financial need.
Extracurricular Activities
Undergraduate Physics Club
This organization is an active group open to all students. It sponsors special speakers and workshops, and organizes open houses and social activities. For more information, call 716-645-2017. Students in the club also belong to the Society of Physics Students (SPS), which is affiliated with the American Physical Society.
Astronomy Club
This organization is open to all students who share an interest in astronomy. The facilities are excellent: a new astronomy dome has recently been erected on the roof of the physics building, Fronczak Hall. For more information, call 716-645-2017.
See the UB Student Association.
Advising Information
Advanced Placement
Students who receive a 4 or 5 on the Physics C Mechanics exam can get credit for PHY 107 General Physics I. A grade of 4 or 5 on the Physics C Electricity & Magnetism exam provides credit for PHY 108/PHY 158 General Physics 2/Lab.
Career Information
People with degrees in physics typically pursue careers in teaching, research, or some combination of the two. Teaching can be at the high school, community college, college, or university level. University teachers generally also engage in research. People who pursue a non-teaching research career work in industries such as the computer chip industry, or work in government labs such as Argonne or Brookhaven.
Approximately 90% of our students go on to graduate school, mostly in physics, but a significant number go into other areas such as law, medicine, biophysics, and medical physics. Our students regularly get into outstanding graduate schools such as Princeton, Cornell, University of Chicago, MIT, and UB.
Links to Further Information About This Program
- Undergraduate Catalog
- Undergraduate Admissions
- Graduate Admissions
- Department of Physics
- Department of Electrical Engineering
- Undergraduate Studies in UB Physics