Engineering Physics

Experiential Major Menu

BS, Engineering Physics

WHERE ENGINEERING PHYSICS STUDENTS GO

Students pursuits one-year post-graduation:

  • Employed: 48%
  • Further Education: 48%
  • Military: 2%
  • Seeking: 2%

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:

  • Optical Engineer
  • Systems Engineer
  • Software Engineer
  • Engineering Intern
  • Electrical Engineer
  • Manufacturing Process Engineer
  • Accident Reconstruction Engineer
  • Fiber Laser Engineer
  • Applications Engineer
  • Survey Engineer

 

*Data from 2023 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 ABET Accredited program 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.

Frequently Pursued Minors

Common 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.

Current Engineering Physics Student

Contact Us: 

1523 Illinois St. Golden, CO 80401          Physics@mines.edu          303-273-3830          https://physics.mines.edu 

Experiential Major Menu Opportunities

Browse the different opportunities within each year and themed Ore Cart to find ways to get involved. All activities are general campus opportunities unless they are in bold and have Departmental listed afterwards, then they are degree specific ways to get involved.

The online Experiential Major Menus are designed for accessibility. A PDF with the same content is available to download or print but may not be fully accessible for all users. If you experience barriers to accessing this content or need an alternate format, please contact trail@mines.edu.

First Year

Leadership & Innovation


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 and Workday for employment opportunities

Research, Creative & Scholarly Achievement


Inclusive & Impactful Civic Engagement

  • SPS & SWiP volunteer events for STEM promotion (Departmental)
  • 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


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


Professional Development

 


Research, Creative & Scholarly Achievement


Inclusive & Impactful Civic Engagement


Health & Wellness


Academic Success

  • Mandatory Advising
  • Participate in Summer Field Session this upcoming summer (Departmental)
  • Become familiar with the 4+1 programs offered (Departmental)
  • 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. 
  • Participate in the Leadership Workshop Series

Professional Development


Research, Creative & Scholarly Achievement

  • Chipps Lecture Series (departmental)
  • 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


Health & Wellness


Academic Success

  • Mandatory Advising
  • Consider opportunities for graduate school
  • 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, (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.

Research, Creative & Scholarly Achievement


Inclusive & Impactful Civic Engagement

  • Lead a Future Faces of Physics project (Departmental)
  • Physics Study Hall (Departmental)
  • Join the departmental DI&A Council (Departmental)
  • 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

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 Stress Less Box
  • Take a Self-Check at YOU@Mines
  • Do a QPR refresh 

Academic Success

  • Mandatory senior design research  experience
  • Apply for graduate school
  • Apply for jobs after graduation