Engineering Physics Major at University of California San Diego

This major provides a strong background in physics and mathematics, and it is intended for students interested in applying theory to applied problems in acoustics, optics, continuum mechanics, and materials science. The structure of the program is very similar to that of electrical engineering except the depth requirement includes seven courses and there are only five electives.

NOTE: WITH THE EXCEPTION OF SP20, FA20, WI21 AND SP21, ALL COURSES USED TO SATISFY MAJOR REQUIREMENTS MUST BE TAKEN FOR A LETTER GRADE AND RECEIVE A GRADE OF C- OR BETTER.

ECE P/NP EXCEPTION

REQUIREMENTS

Lower Division (70 units):

• Mathematics: MATH 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D, 20E, and 18 

• Physics: PHYS 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2DL

• Chemistry: CHEM 6A

• Electrical and Computer Engineering: ECE 15, 25, 30, 35, 45, and 65

Upper Division (76 units):

• Breadth (24 units): ECE 100, 101, 102, 103, 107, and 109
• Design (4 units): ECE 111 or 190 or 191 or 193H (Honors Students Only)
• Depth (28 units): PHYS 110A, 130A-B, 140A; MATH 110; ECE 123 and 166 or ECE 135A and 135B or ECE 182 and (181 or 183)
• Electives (20 units): 2 Technical (engineering, physics or math) Elective and 3 Professional Elective

Design:

Students can choose from ECE 111 (Advanced Digital Design Project), ECE 190 (Engineering Design), or ECE 191 (Engineering Group Design Project). Graduation will not be approved until a written copy of the design project is submitted to the ECE Undergraduate Office.

ELECTIVES

Professional and technical electives are an integral part of the ECE major curriculum. They allow students course flexibility as well as the unique opportunity to tailor their major to their personal interests and professional goals.

Professional Electives:

Professional electives are acceptable courses taken in one department. Normally these will be upper-division courses in engineering, mathematics, or physics. Students may also choose upper-division courses from other departments provided that they fit into a coherent professional program. In such cases, a lower-division prerequisite may be included in the electives. Courses other than upper-division engineering, mathematics, or physics must be justified in terms of such a program, and must be approved by the ECE department.

Technical Electives:

Technical electives must be upper-division engineering, math or physics courses.  At most one lower-division course in engineering may be used but it must receive prior approval from the ECE department. Certain courses listed below are not allowed as electives because of overlap with ECE courses.