Physics and Engineering

Physics

Department Chair - Gerald Crawford
Professor - Gerald Crawford
Associate Professor - Ryan Haaland
Assistant Professors - Charles Hakes, Jeffrey Loats, and Craig Tyler

The Bachelor of Science degree in Physics is designed to allow students to commence graduate work in physics or astrophysics; to obtain technical positions in industry in areas including energy science, engineering, electronics, optics, medical physics, and many more; or to obtain preparation for secondary certification for teaching physics in public schools. The geologist, engineer, chemist, and biologist all deal with matter and energy in their various forms. Since physicists probe the physical laws underlying all physical processes, the study of physics is the cornerstone for all the natural sciences.

The physics curriculum is predicated upon the role physicists play in a modern, technological society that is currently experiencing shortages of trained personnel in various scientific areas and in science education. Coursework in physics will provide the student pursuing entrance to graduate school in physics or astronomy with a strong grounding in mathematics and physics, while being immersed in an atmosphere of a broad, liberal education in the humanities and social sciences. This curriculum enables a student to enter applied technical fields in industry such as electronics, optics, and aerospace, where there is currently a high demand. Students seeking a degree in physics should consult early in their college career with members of the Physics Department.

Fort Lewis College offers three options to the BS degree in physics: traditional Physics, an ABET-accredited option in Engineering-Physics, and preparation for secondary education teachers in physics. A minor in physics is available for students majoring in other disciplines; a minor in engineering is also available.

All courses used to meet Physics options and minor requirements must be passed with a grade of C- or higher, with the exception of Phys and Engr 496 and 497.

Engineering

Department Chair - Gerald Crawford
Professors - Gerald Crawford and Donald R. May
Assistant Professor - Laurie Williams

Fort Lewis College offers an ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) accredited program resulting in a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in the Engineering Physics option of the Physics major. (See above or the Physics program for the requirements of this option, as well as requirements for the Engineering minor.) This popular program combines the theory of physics with the application of engineering into an ABET accredited engineering program.

In addition to the Engineering Physics program, Fort Lewis College offers a long standing pre-engineering program that provides a full range of freshman-, sophomore- and some junior-level courses that prepare students who wish to transfer to another school to complete their degree in a particular subdiscipline, such as electrical, civil, mechanical, or chemical engineering, etc. We work closely with a wide variety of engineering programs at the University of Colorado, Colorado State University, Colorado School of Mines, University of New Mexico, and New Mexico State University to assure transferability of courses. Many students also successfully transfer to other degree-granting engineering institutions around the country. Successful completion of an appropriate block of courses at Fort Lewis College, with the required minimum grade point average (GPA), prepares you to transfer with junior level standing. The Fort Lewis College pre-engineering program lets students begin their engineering studies at a small college with a liberal arts emphasis. For detailed information about specific transfer requirements and programs students should consult with an engineering advisor.

Course Equivalency has generally been awarded for the following courses:

ENGR 103 - Computer Aided Drafting
ENGR 104 - Comp Prog For Sci & Engr
ENGR 105 - Engineering Principles & Design
ENGR 201 - Electric Networks I
ENGR 205 - Surveying I
ENGR 217 - Statics
ENGR 221 - Dynamics
ENGR 270 - Engineering Thermodynamics
ENGR 317 - Mechanics of Materials
ENGR 321 - Fluid Mechanics
PHYS 217 - Physics - Science & Engr I
PHYS 218 - Physics - Science & Engr II

MATH 221 - Calculus I
MATH 222 - Calculus II
MATH 223 - Calculus III
MATH 327 - Differential Equations

Additional engineering courses may satisfy degree requirements within specific programs at many schools (e.g., Engr 202 Electric Networks II; Engr 238 Digital Logic Design; Engr 305 Surveying II).