Since the math and science requirements of these programs is less stringent than those of an engineering or traditional physics program, these programs offer an alternative for students who want to work with technology but do not have the necessary math and science background or aptitude for engineering. These programs are important as they fill the US need of training a more technical work force for the future manufacturing. All other physics programs are either conventional physics or technology programs. The new engineering physics program at Tarleton State University is directed toward students who are interested in the interplay of basic physics with work on the frontiers of engineering development. Thus, students will be able to sit for the professional engineering licensing examination.
Many freshman have a vague knowledge of what engineers really do on the job.
By allowing students to easily change between disciplines up to their junior year, the program allows students to delay their choice of discipline until they have had substantial engineering course work. This allows students to make more informed decisions without penalty. The electronics class for scientists is replaced with a higher level electrical engineering electronics class since students have courses in circuit analysis, digital electronics, etc. Rutherford Backscattering, and other ion beam techniques that are essential to modern semiconductor fabrication are used to demonstrate nuclear physics principles instead of particle physics applications. The study of these characterization tools are generally left either for graduate study or on the job training for engineers since they have more limited physics backgrounds and not all engineers need such tools.