Bachelor of Science in Applied Physics

According to the Princeton Review, "With technology's constantly expanding influence in our society, a major in Applied Physics could place you at the forefront of the next technology revolution." Applied physics combines fundamental research in physics with knowledge of how to solve real-world problems, putting graduates of this major in high demand by employers. Through research in applied physics, lasers in DVD players, flash memories in iPods, diagnostic tools for medicine, and many other cutting edge technologies have been developed. With this degree, graduates will be prepared to head straight into a career in a multitude of different areas, or to enter into a graduate program in physics, engineering, and many other non-physics related fields. College Board sums up this degree in one word: flexibility.

The Bachelor of Science in Applied Physics degree at IIT provides an option for students who have a strong affinity for physics but who wish to pursue a career in application of basic scientific principles to the design of equipment, which includes electronic and electro-mechanical systems for use in measurements, communications, and data acquisition. The program is recommended for students interested in newly developing areas of physics, high technology, instrumentation, and communications. It provides students with a solid physics background while allowing a significant engineering or other technical concentration.

The following are sample curricula for three different concentrations within Applied Physics. The list is not exhaustive, as other concentrations are available.

*The remaining courses may be chosen from the following:

• ECE 401—Communication Electronics
• ECE 421/423—Microwave Circuits & Systems / Laboratory
• ECE 425—Analysis of Design of Integrated Circuits
• ECE 429—Introduction to VLSI Design
• ECE 436/437—Digital Signal Processing I / Laboratory
• ECE 438—Control Systems
• ECE 441—Microcomputers
• ECE 446—Advanced Logic Design

**For the electrical engineering option, MATH 333 must be selected as a technical elective.
***The second technical elective may be chosen from any 400 level physics course or ECE courses listed above.
****For the electrical engineering option, the PHYS 300 requirement is satisfied by ECE 211, 213 and 218.

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*Technical Electives can be chosen from among any 400-level physics courses and the following suggest courses:

• MMAE 419—Mechanical Laboratory II
• MMAE 443—Systems Analysis & Control
• MMAE 485—Manufacturing Processes

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*Technical Elective can be chosen from among any 400-level physics courses and the following suggested courses:

• MMAE 410—Aircraft Flight Mechanics
• MMAE 411—Spacecraft Dynamics
• MMAE 414—Aircraft Design I
• MMAE 433—Spacecraft Design I
• MMAE 452—Aerospace Propulsion

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