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Physics Curriculum Options

A Bachelor's degree from Kettering University requires 160 credits (39 4-credit courses plus a senior thesis). Students normally register for 16-20 credits (4-5 courses) each 11-week academic term, and most students require 9 academic terms (4-1/2 years alternating between academic and work co-op terms) to complete their degree.

Applied Physics

The Applied Physics Degree is geared towards students who plan on continuing on to graduate school to earn a master's degree or Ph.D. in physics, acoustics, optics, materials science or another related area. This track places more emphasis on mathematics, computer modelling, and electives in applied sciences and engineering topics. Several recent graduates who have followed this track are currently in M.S. or Ph.D. programs in optics, acoustics, and medical physics at top ranked graduate schools.

Engineering Physics

The Engineering Physics Degree is for students who are more interested in applying their knowledge of physics to engineering problems in industry. The required physics and basic mathematics courses are the same as for the Applied Physics degree, but instead of extra math, science, and computer programing courses, the engineering physics track requires students to take core engineering courses in mechanical, electrical and industrial engineering. A carefully chosen upper level sequence of related engineering courses culminates in a final systems engineering course.

Dual Degree Options

Typical Schedules | Concentrations | Dual Degree Options | Co-op Employers

Typical curriculum for the Applied Physics Degree

Normal 9-term Track8-Term Fast Track

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Concentrations in Optics, Acoustics, or Materials
Applied Physics Majors are strongly encouraged (but not required) to pursure a concentration in one of three applied areas: Acoustics, Applied Optics, or Materials Science. Students majoring in other disciplines are able to minor in each of these three areas. Each concentration involves two required courses, two elective courses in the topic, and a topical project for the Senior Research course. The concentration will show on the student's official transcript. Students who wish to obtain a concentration and have it so indicated on their transcript must use their Technical and Free Electives for courses towards the concentration. Examples of
 
Suggested 9-term schedule with Acoustic concentrationSuggested 9-term schedule with Applied Optics concentrationSuggested 9-term schedule with Materials Science concentration

More information about Acoustics

 More information about Applied Optics More information about Materials Science

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Dual Degree Options

 Roughly one-third of our applied physics majors are pursuing a dual degree option, and will end up obtaining a B.S. in Applied Physics as well as a degree from another discipline. Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering are the two most popular dual-degree choices, but some students have added degrees in Computer Engineering, and Environmental Chemistry to their Applied Physics Degree. Recently a number of students who were drawn to Kettering because of the co-op program, wanted to pursue a careers in the aerospace industry or biomedical fields. They have chosen to dual major in Applied Physics and Mechanical Engineering and have obtained co-op jobs at companies that do aerospace or biomedical research.

Pursuing a dual degree requires a total of 188 credits which usually can be accomplished with one extra academic term and a couple of heavy terms during the junior/senior years. Example dual degree schedules will be made available shortly.

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