B.S. in Engineering Physics
Overview
Engineering is the practical application of scientific knowledge to improve people’s lives. Through Biola's engineering physics program, which includes a partnership with the University of Southern California, students receive two baccalaureate degrees — an engineering physics degree from Biola, and upon admission, an engineering degree from USC or another accredited university. These two degrees will prepare students for careers in a wide range of industries and government agencies.
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Why Choose Engineering Physics at Biola?
In addition to its strong curriculum, expert faculty members and biblical integration, Biola’s engineering physics program offers several key advantages:
- Enjoy a Christian college atmosphere for three formative years that will prepare you to succeed in a secular environment.
- The 3+2 program allows you to receive two degrees in five years — one from Biola University and, upon admission, the other from the University of Southern California.
- Biola’s location in Southern California — one of the world’s largest and most diverse metropolitan areas — is ideal for internships and opportunities to work in local industry.
- Small class sizes provide for individual instruction.
- Graduates of 3+2 programs are often preferred for initial hires over regular engineering majors.
- Biola’s engineering physics program allows students to explore a variety of engineering fields before choosing their specialty.
3+2 Program
The first three years of the engineering physics program will be spent at Biola, studying physics, chemistry, mathematics, biblical studies and the liberal arts — all from a Christian worldview. The next two years, following a successful application and admissions process, will be spent at the University of Southern California or another accredited engineering school. At the end of this five-year program, students will earn a B.S. in engineering physics from Biola and a B.S. degree in the field of engineering chosen by the student. Degrees include:
- Mechanical Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
- Aerospace Engineering
- Astronautical Engineering
- Biomedical Engineering
- Chemical Engineering and Materials Science
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Science and Engineering
- Electrical & Computer Engineering
- Industrial and Systems Engineering
- Undeclared Engineering
What Will I Study?
Biola’s engineering physics program will equip students with foundational knowledge in a wide range of real-world topics, preparing them to excel in graduate school and their professional careers. Students will learn about present-day topics such as:
- Chemical kinetics, equilibrium, thermodynamics and electrochemistry
- Three levels of calculus, including exploration of infinite sequences, inverse trigonometric functions and curves and surfaces in three-dimensional space
- Physics topics including Newtonian mechanics, wave theory, geometric optics and relativity
- Computer techniques in science and engineering using MATLAB and LABVIEW computer tools for data analysis
- Analysis of stress, strain and deflection of mechanical elements due to tension
- How to consider materials for product designs
- 3D printing
- Microprocessor programming
... Biola taught me to approach every field of study by integrating the full authority of God’s Word.
Engineering Physics, B.S. '16
... Some of my favorite electives were in the philosophy of science and cultural anthropology - areas of knowledge I still draw on in my workplace today.
Engineering Physics, B.S. '93
Getting to understand who God is has given me a desire to seek Him more.
Engineering Physics, '16
... Through the examples of my fellow classmates and my professors I learned how to serve others.
Engineering Physics, B.S. '15
Career Paths
Many career opportunities in government agencies, national research laboratories, education, aerospace and nuclear science await future graduates of Biola's engineering physics program. As a well-prepared scientist, you can expect to impact the world for Jesus Christ as a scientific entrepreneur or through rewarding professions such as:
- Automobile and engine designer
- Structural engineer
- Satellite and rocket designer
- Prosthetic device development
- Petroleum engineer
- Drug manufacture and development
- Materials scientist
- Renewable energy researcher
- Biotechnology researcher
- Educator
- Physicist
- Computer and software developer
- Patent technology attorney
What are Graduates Doing Now?
Biola engineering physics graduates and graduate candidates have participated in life-changing internships and engineering projects and have gone on to prestigious graduate schools. Highlights include:
- Internship at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards Air Force Base in Palmdale, Calif. — projects focused on developing a supersonic business jet to fly over land and minimize the shock wave from the sonic boom, flight research with varying subscale aircraft and working with the SOFIA 747sp flight team analyzing flight data.
- Internship at Fabcon, an industrial fabrication company in Orange County, Calif. — experience gained through working on developing a fast, high-resolution printer for the VistaPrint company and being independently contracted to develop an algorithm for aligning printed circuit boards relative to substrates.
- Internship at Theta Engineering in Costa Mesa, Calif. — collaboration project to develop a sequencer for an industrial spectroscopy client and develop a touch-screen oscilloscope.
- Graduate studies at the University of Southern California and the University of California, Davis.
Department of Chemistry, Physics and Engineering (CPE)
