Engineering and Physics at Providence College
Engineering and Physics at Providence College
The Department of Engineering and Physics offers undergraduate programs designed to prepare individuals for careers in applied science and engineering. Students who major in engineering, physics, and physics/secondary education at Providence College benefit from a strong liberal arts foundation that enhances their scientific studies by strengthening their analytical, critical-thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills.
DEGREE PROGRAMS
Pre-Engineering Program
The most popular program is the 3+2 plan in which a student spends three years in a pre-engineering curriculum at Providence College. The final two years of study are spent in an engineering concentration of the student’s choice at one of our affiliate universities. Through our affiliate schools, our students have a wide range of choices in their area of concentration within the engineering profession. Built-in flexibility in this program allows students to modify this program into a 4+2, meaning that 4 years are spent at Providence College completing a 4-year degree prior to transitioning to the engineering school. Students can also opt for one of the 3+3 programs at Washington University in St. Louis, in which they remain at the engineering school for one additional year while earning a master’s degree.
Bachelor of Science in Physics
The Department of Engineering and Physics offers a bachelor of science in physics that combines the traditional physics program with research opportunities. The program builds skills in analytical thinking, problem solving, planning, and technical management while preparing students for a variety of career and/or graduate study options.
Bachelor of Arts in Physics/Secondary Education
Students interested in teaching at the high school level may prepare by following our physics/secondary education track. Students completing this track of study receive a bachelor of arts in physics with an emphasis in secondary education. The course of study has been carefully crafted to include the courses required for secondary education certification as well as a solid base of knowledge in physics. A student following this course of study would be well prepared to teach physics at the secondary level.
Minor
The Department of Engineering and Physics offers a minor in physics that combines the traditional physics program with research opportunities. The program builds skills in analytical thinking, problem solving, planning, and technical management while preparing students for a variety of career and/or graduate study options.
BEYOND THE CLASSROOM
Conduct research with faculty as early as your first year
Participate in an internship locally, nationally, or internationally
Qualify for prestigious honor societies, such as Sigma Xi – The Scientific Research Society
FACULTY
The accomplished engineering and physics faculty at PC hold doctoral degrees from institutions recognized for science and research, including the University of Notre Dame, Brown University, the University of Massachusetts, University of Texas, Lehigh University, and Auburn University, and have specialized expertise in atomic and molecular spectroscopy, gas dynamics, geologic evolution of the icy worlds in our solar system, theoretical physics, formation and evolution of galaxies, coastal and estuary dynamics, water supply systems and dynamics, and more.
IN THE NEWS
AFTER PC
95%
of 2020-2024 physics, mathematics, and computer science graduates are employed and/or attending graduate school
61%
are employed only
19%
are attending school only
15%
are employed and attending school
Due to rounding, some totals may not correspond with the sum of the separate figures.
Selected Places of Employment/Service
Bloomberg
Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Depuy Synthes
Epic
FactSet
FDIC
Fidelity Investments
Flagship Pioneering
General Dynamics Mission Systems
Google
HP
IDEXX
KPMG
Liberty Mutual Insurance
Lockheed Martin
Massachusetts General Hospital
Microsoft
NAVSEA Warfare Centers
NextEra Energy, Inc.
Oracle
Raytheon
RBC Dominion Securities
Segal
TD Securities
Thermo Fisher
UBS
Wellington Management
Wolf & Company, P.C.
World Bank
Selected Graduate Schools
Boston University
Brown University
Colorado State University
Cornell University
Duke University
George Mason University
Loyola University Chicago
New England Institute of Technology
Northeastern University
Providence College
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Rutgers University
Tufts University
University of California Santa Barbara
University of Connecticut
University of New Hampshire
University of Notre Dame
University of Pennsylvania
University of Southern California
Worcester State University
ADDITIONAL CONTACT INFORMATION
Dr. Seth Ashman
Associate Professor / Department Chair
401.865.2572
sashman@providence.edu
Katie Weeks
Administrative Coordinator
Science Complex 0103A
(401)-865-2379
kweeks@providence.edu
