ENGINEERING PHYSICS PROGRAM EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES

 Department of Physics and Engineering Fort Lewis College

The Engineering Physics Program leads to a Bachelor of Science in the Engineering Physics Option. The goal of the Engineering-Physics program is to provide a quality scientific and technical education coupled with the unique Fort Lewis College liberal arts general education so that students are prepared to evaluate, understand, and formulate responsible solutions to technical problems within the social and cultural context of today's complex world. To this end we strive to meet these objectives:

1. To serve the four corners area with a quality engineering-physics program that attracts regional residents and helps them to succeed – especially Native American students, in a manner consistent with the long-standing tradition at Fort Lewis College.

2. To give our students the ability to apply scientific and engineering principles to identify, formulate, and solve problems in analysis and design.  In this pursuit, our students will need to understand the basis of modern engineering tools and the role of experimentation, and how to apply these methods appropriately.

3. To train our students to work collaboratively and communicate effectively, particularly in the context of multidisciplinary design problems.

4. To prepare our students to pursue careers and advanced degrees in a variety of traditional and non-traditional engineering fields.  To this end, we will instill in them a recognition of the need to continue learning throughout their careers, and the confidence to do it.

5. To provide students with an understanding of the professional and ethical responsibility engineers have to society, and teach them to recognize that there are societal impacts of engineering solutions.

Fort Lewis College Mission

These objectives are deemed consistent with the mission statement and educational purposes of Fort Lewis College because; · The Engineering Physics option has been reviewed by the Fort Lewis College curriculum committee and approved by the faculty assembly. · Within the spirit of a liberal arts education all students, including the Engineering Physics students, must complete a common general education program. · The Engineering Physics option serves the educational needs of local and regional communities, one of the College's objectives.

Department of Physics and Engineering Mission

To provide quality engineering and physics programs within the context of a liberal arts education. To achieve this we strive to prepare our students for successful, professional careers as engineers, scientists, technologist as well as other diverse career paths. The ability to think, independently, objectively and with scientific rigor while considering the ethical implications of social and cultural factors is of great importance.

Constituents

This program is aimed at several constituencies. § Provide Education - to entering freshmen interested in both physics and engineering § Provide Education - to transfer students or second year engineering students who switch to Engineering Physics § Provide Education - to Native American students § Provide Education - to local, non-traditional students § Provide Education and Services - to regional communities § Provide Work Force and Collaboration - to local industry

Assessing Objectives and Curriculum

 In order to assure that the program continues to serve the needs of its constituent's periodic program assessment is completed. On an annual basis program objectives and curriculum are reviewed and discussed by department faculty members as part of the College's required, annual departmental assessment process. This includes input from current and former students. In addition, Engineering Physics Professional Advisory Board meets annually to evaluate program status. A list of board member can be found on the Engineering Physics link of the department home page. On a five year rotation the Physics and Engineering Department undergoes a yearlong, extensive program review which includes a self-study, faculty peer review and administrative review.

A description and program requirements from the Fort Lewis College catalog of courses can be found on the Engineering Physics link of the department home page.

For more information on the Engineering Physics program please contact :

Don R. May, Ph.D. Chair, Department of Physics and Engineering 1000 Rim Drive Fort Lewis College Durango, CO 81301 970-247-7545 may_d@fortlewis.edu

or

Jerry Crawford, Ph.D. Professor, Department of Physics and Engineering 1000 Rim Drive Fort Lewis College Durango, CO 81301 970-247- crawford_g@fortlewis.edu