The special skills of the Engineering Physicist are the abilities to analyze unusual or complex engineering problems and to develop scientific innovations, such as lasers or superconductors, into practical devices. These skills are based on a broad knowledge of science and mathematics coupled with an understanding of engineering methods. The core courses in the Engineering Physics program provide the student with fundamental physical principles and theoretical tools as well as a firm foundation in modern experimental techniques. These options provide a sequence of courses in other engineering departments and thus provide career or graduate studies opportunities in addition to those in applied physics. Careers for graduates are wide-ranging and include research and development in high technology and traditional fields of engineering or applied science, engineering and management consulting, and in the development of instrumentation and software for industrial processes.
Many graduates also earn graduate degrees in a wide variety of programs.
At present there is strong industrial demand for engineering physics graduates in all four options, and this is projected to continue for some time, perhaps especially for graduates of the computing option. The normal route to the engineering physics program is through Queen's common first year engineering program. In addition, the department accepts a number of students each year into second or even third year who are attracted by the broad training and excellent career prospects of the engineering physics program. The time required to complete the engineering physics program will depend on how many first year credits are granted. For full calendar details and other information about engineering programs at Queen's go to the Faculty of Applied Science website.