Engineering Physics
Experiential Major Menu
BS, Engineering Physics
WHERE ENGINEERING PHYSICS STUDENTS GO
Students pursuits one-year post-graduation:
- Employed: 47%
- Further Education: 42%
- Military: 3%
- Seeking: 5%
- Unknown: 3%
Industries of employment for students one-year out:
- Electronics/Electrical Components
- Energy – Alternative/Renewable
- Aerospace/Defense/Aviation
- Government/Public Sector
- High Tech/ Information Technology
- Legal/Law
- Teaching
- Medicine
Job titles of our graduates one-year out:
- Project Engineer
- Systems Engineer
- Secondary Math Teacher
- Test/Product Engineer
- Applications Engineer
- Patent Engineer
- Software Engineer
*Data from 2022 graduates
This menu is a tool for you to use to explore opportunities at Mines outside of the classroom. These are not requirements, but rather recommendations to help you leverage what Mines has to offer. Just like at a restaurant, choose what looks best to you and start from there! This menu can help you create your own pathway and customize your experience during your time at Mines.
The activities are placed in specific years below based off staff and faculty recommendations, but you can participate in most of them at any time. There is never a wrong time to get involved if you’re looking, and no pressure to do any of these things!
Get to know Engineering Physics
The Department of Physics is dedicated to advancing the world’s knowledge in the areas of condensed matter physics, solid state physics, applied optics, quantum physics, renewable energy physics, and subatomic physics.
Our Engineering Physics program is the largest in the US, and is the only one that offers students a hands-on Field Session experience with modules in Lasers & Optics, Vacuum & Materials Science, Electronics & Instrumentation, Computing, Machine Shop, and Professional Development, Careers and Wellness.
This degree combines a deep understanding of scientific fundamentals and practical skills of engineering practice and design. As a graduate you can jump right into a career using your professional skills or continue your studies in physics, a related science, or even medicine and law.
Academic options in Engineering Physics
Explore the options below to see how to expand upon an Engineering Physics degree and course load.
Commonly Pursued Minors
4+1 Programs
Applied Mathematics and Statistics, Chemical and Biological Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science, Electrical Engineering, Engineering and Technology Management, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Physics, or Quantum Engineering.
Academic Catalog
Get Involved
Attend Celebration of Mines in August to get to know campus organizations and academic departments, sample food, and play games. Below are some departments that offer many great opportunities to enhance your experience here at Mines.
It’s hard to beat Colorado School of Mines if you want to study Engineering Physics.
Contact Us:
1523 Illinois St. Golden, CO 80401 Physics@mines.edu 303-273-3830 https://physics.mines.edu
Experiential Major Menu Opportunities
First Year
Leadership & Innovation
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Explore opportunities to get involved with the Undergraduate Student Government
- Explore options to get involved with RHA and Community Councils
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Apply for the Environmental Leadership Lab trip and Scholars Program. Check the Daily Blast for more information in April.
Professional Development
- Sit on hosted Industry Panels to broaden your perspective of different careers (Departmental)
- Update or create a college resume and get it reviewed with feedback
- Attend Career Day
- Use DiggerNet for employment opportunities
Research, Creative & Scholarly Achievement
- Explore the option of a summer with SURF
- Pick up copies of The Oredigger to see what is going on at Mines and maybe contribute a written piece.
- Explore how to get involved with research through different opportunities on campus
Inclusive & Impactful Civic Engagement
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SPS & SWiP volunteer events for STEM promotion (Departmental)
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Apply to work at College View Middle School in Denver as a tutor
- Join Society of Women Engineers as a mentee
- Attend the Study Abroad Fair this Fall to start exploring your options. Additional scholarships may be available.
- Attend the annual Celebration of DI&A at Mines
Health & Wellness
- Participate in Oredigger Camp to build your Mines community before classes start
- Balance studying for finals with wellness activities during Stress Less Week
- Become familiar with the Counseling Center’s services
- Attend a QPR suicide prevention training
- Attend a Bystander Intervention workshop
- Attend Fresh Check Day
- Take a group fitness class
Academic Success
- Sign your family or support system up for the CASA First-Year Family Newsletter so they can support your academic success
- Attend the Major Fair and declare a major in late April at Declaration Day with CASA. Keep an eye out for an announcement in the Daily Blast
Second Year
Leadership & Innovation
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Look into joining the American Physical Society (1 year free) or American Association of Physics Teachers as a student member (Departmental)
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Attend the Leadership Summit and develop your leadership skills right on campus
- Participate in the Leadership Workshop Series with SAIL
- Attend the Hennebach Program lectures
- Sign up to engage in innovative thinking and real-world problem solving with Innov8x Challenge
Professional Development
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Look into UG Teaching Assistantship in the Introductory physics sequence (Departmental)
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Participate in Career Day to network
- Work on a professional profile using the Mines Strategy guide
- Enroll in CSM 250 to plan your career path
- Explore ethics opportunities across campus
- Attend VIP events each semester
- Attend the Chevron Lecture Series luncheon
Research, Creative & Scholarly Achievement
- Research Experiences for Physics Undergraduates (Departmental)
- Attend the Emerging Scholars Seminar Series to learn about various research topics
- Find a faculty member you are interested in working with and apply for MURF
- Explore classes offered through HASS
Inclusive & Impactful Civic Engagement
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Help with the Haunted Physics Lab over Halloween (Departmental)
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Participate in outreach at local elementary schools
- Participate in Girls Lead The Way
- Examine different viewpoints with the movie and book recommendations from MEP
- See how you can contribute to Mines Without Borders projects
- Join the Mines DI&A general council meetings or a learning community
Health & Wellness
- Sign up to be a part of intramural sports
- Get financially savvy with Money Matters
- Participate in a Peer Educator led workshop
- Utilize YOU@Mines to find personalized wellness resources to succeed, thrive & matter at Mines
- Apply to be a Betsy’s Friends Peer Educator
- Check on your own health at the Sexual and Reproductive Wellness Fair
Academic Success
- Participate in Summer Field Session this upcoming summer (Departmental)
- Become familiar with the 4+1 programs offered (Departmental)
- Check out CASA for academic advising to go over your schedule and academic opportunities
- Explore Bounce Back if you are needing to retake a course, on academic probation or returning from academic suspension
Third Year
Leadership & Innovation
- Join Sigma Pi Sigma Physics Honor Society (Departmental)
- Get involved with Physics led projects such as Solar Decathlon, Tiny House, Mines Maker Space, or Blaster Hackers (Departmental)
- Become an officer in your student organization
- Apply to be an Undergraduate Writing Fellow, a peer tutor in the Writing Center. Check the Daily Blast for information in early October.
Professional Development
- Look into UG Teaching Assistantships in the second-year core physics courses or summer field session (Departmental)
- Attend Physics Congress or the Conference for Undergraduate Women in Physics (Departmental)
- Participate in a summer internship (Departmental)
- Consider opportunities for graduate schools
- Take Introduction to Research Ethics (SYGN 502) or Professional Oral Communication (LICM 501), both are graduate classes but accessible to Undergraduates.
- Write an article for SWE’s annual newsletter
- Be a tutor or lead core review with CASA
Research, Creative & Scholarly Achievement
- Chipps Lecture Series
Show your research outcomes in Reuleaux - Explore options to join a musical group on campus or Mines Little Theater
- Take Research, Values, and Communication (HASS 360)
- Co-author a paper with a fellow student or faculty member
- Manage departmental or student organization’s web and/or social media presence
Inclusive & Impactful Civic Engagement
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Get involved with Future Faces of Physics (Departmental)
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Assist with Trick-or-Treat so Golden Can Eat, more information in Daily Blast
- Tutoring at local high schools
- Explore DI&A workshops along with trainings from SHAPE
- Serve as a panelist at Making The Connection or other recruitment events
- Coordinate an S2S community service event
Health & Wellness
- Adventure with the Outdoor Recreation Center through an organized trip (domestic or international!) or rent gear to have one of your own
- Get CPR/First Aid certified
- Prioritize your sleep by grabbing a Bedtime Box
- Organize a suicide prevention training or a Peer Education workshop for your student organization
- Destress with some therapy dogs at Pause for Paws
- Do a personal training session with Rec Sports
Academic Success
- Meet with CASA to go over your schedule and talk about possible graduate opportunities including 4+1 programs
- Start to request letters of recommendation from faculty or supervisors for graduate school or jobs
Fourth Year
Leadership & Innovation
- Expand your leadership in your organization
- Take CSM 350: Special Studies in Leadership & Small Group Dynamics
Professional Development
- UG Teaching Assistantship in third-year core physics courses (Departmental)
- Attend APS meetings, both national and regional opportunities, ideally by submitting a paper (Departmental)
- AAPT Winter & Summer national, CO-WY Section Meeting (Departmental)
- Participate in free Mines sponsored review sessions for the FE and then register to take the exam (Departmental)
- Look for full time employment at Career Day and on DiggerNet.
- Take advantage of the Career Center’s Offer Letter Review
Research, Creative & Scholarly Achievement
- Attend Physics Colloquia (Departmental)
- Attend APS meetings by submitting a paper on your undergraduate research (Departmental)
- Submit a piece of visual art, fiction, poetry or music to High Grade
- Present at Mines Undergraduate Research Symposium
Inclusive & Impactful Civic Engagement
- Lead a Future Faces of Physics project (Departmental)
- Physics Study Hall (Departmental)
- Join the departmental DI&A Council (Departmental)
- Tutor at a local high school
- Volunteer as a mentor for K-14 student with Rocky Mountain MESA
- Take Art & Environmentalism in Italy
- Apply for a Mines DI&A community grant to help promote an inclusive campus
- Facilitate a workshop at Celebration of DI&A at Mines. Keep an eye on the Daily Blast for calls for proposals.
Health & Wellness
- Show your loved ones everything you love about Mines at Family & Friends weekend
- Participate in the Imposter Syndrome Peer Education workshop before heading out into the workforce or graduate school
- Help manage your stress with a Balanced Box
- Take a Self-Check at YOU@Mines
- Do a QPR refresh
Academic Success
- Mandatory senior design research experience
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Apply to graduate school and/or job positions