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Engineering Physics, BS

Want to get involved in undergraduate research? The engineering physics major is specifically designed to launch your research career with a math and physics-centered curriculum that bridges the gap between theoretical science and practical engineering. You’ll work in the lab alongside professors at the forefront of their fields, translating emerging science into novel technologies.

Design your academic journey

The major

Your primary field of study, which defines your core technical curriculum and the degree you earn.
All program details

Sample Degree/Major Plan

Fall semester (16 credits)
  • CHEM 109 – Advanced General Chemistry 5
  • MATH 221 – Calculus And Analytic Geometry 1 5
  • Engr Comm 1 3
  • Liberal Studies Elective 3
Spring semester (13-15 credits)
  • E M A 201 OR PHYSICS 201 3-5
  • MATH 222 – Calculus And Analytic Geometry 2 4
  • N E 231 – Introduction To Nuclear Engineering 3
  • STAT 324 – Introduction To Statistics For Science And Engineering 3
Fall semester (18 credits)
  • PHYSICS 202 – General Physics 5
  • MATH 234 – Calculus–functions Of Several Variables 4
  • M E 361 – Thermodynamics 3
  • M S & E 350 OR 351 3
  • E P 468 – Introduction To Engineering Research 1
  • INTEREGR 275 – Technical Presentations 2
Spring semester (16 credits)
  • MATH 319 – Techniques In Ordinary Differential Equations 3
  • PHYSICS 241 OR 205 3
  • E M A 202 OR PHYSICS 311 3
  • E M A 303 – Mechanics Of Materials 3
  • E M A/​M E 307 – Mechanics Of Materials Lab 1
  • Liberal Studies Elective 3
Fall semester (17-18 credits)
  • N E 305 OR Technical Elective 3
  • MATH 340 OR 341 3
  • E P 271 – Engineering Problem Solving I 3
  • E C E 376 OR PHYSICS 321 3-4
  • E P 469 – Research Proposal In Engineering Physics 1
  • Liberal Studies Elective 4
Spring semester (15 credits)
  • PHYSICS 531 OR Technical Elective 3
  • MATH 321 – Applied Mathematical Analysis 1: Vector And Complex Calculus 3
  • PHYSICS 322 – Electromagnetic Fields 3
  • Advanced Computer Science 3
  • E P Focus Area Course 3
Fall semester (18 credits)
  • E P 568 – Research Practicum In Engineering Physics I 3
  • M E 363 – Fluid Dynamics 3
  • E P Focus Area Course 3
  • E P Focus Area Course 3
  • Technical Elective 3
  • Liberal Studies Elective 3
Spring semester (17 credits)
  • E P 569 – Research Practicum In Engineering Physics II 3
  • M E 364 OR M S & E 331 3
  • E P Focus Area Course 2
  • E P Focus Area Course 3
  • INTEREGR 397 – Engineering Communication 3
  • Liberal Studies Elective 3

Focus area

A flexible way to build your technical mastery and customize your education without adding a formal credential to your transcript.

Nanoengineering

Learn how to design, build, and use innovative devices and structures at the nanoscale through courses in physics, material science, engineering mechanics, and electrical engineering.

Plasma science and engineering

Join one of the largest university plasma and fusion communities in the world, with collaborations between physics, electrical engineering, and nuclear engineering, and world-leading facilities.

Scientific computing

Scientific computing can be applied to nearly every discipline in science, combining modern computing practices with scientific discovery in research groups across campus.

An accelerated engineering master’s program is a great choice if you’d like to earn your master’s degree by adding as little as a single year of study at UW-Madison.
View all accelerated programs

Investing in your future

Value and costs

Based on an average of 12-18 credits per semester for the 2025-26 academic year from bursars office tuition rates workbook.
Tuition is one part of the overall cost of attendance at UW-Madison.  For more information on the cost of attendance, visit the Office of Student Financial Aid.
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Wisconsin resident

$7,840

Minnesota icon

Minnesota reciprocity

$10,726

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Non-resident

$24,597

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Non-resident international

$25,097

Scholarships

Our scholarships aren’t just about financial support; they’re about investing in your potential and helping you focus on what matters most: your education and your future as a leader in engineering.
Engineering scholarships
4.4M
scholarships awarded
1,200
undergrad recipients
1,550
scholarships awarded, made possible by the generous support of donors

Outcomes

Here’s what life after graduation could look like for you.

Key employers

  • Adams Thermal Systems
  • Outlier
  • The D.E. Shaw Group
  • Tokyo Electron Ltd.
  • Type One Energy

Your path to admission

Freshman

Starting college for the first time?

Learn more
Transfer student

Coming from another college or university?

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Cross-campus student

Already at UW–Madison?

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Reentry student

Took time off?

Learn more

Your built-in network

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As an undergrad, you can help pioneer new knowledge or technologies on your own or as a researcher in a professor’s lab. It’s a great opportunity to apply what you’re learning in class, explore a field or topic that interests you, and gain insight into what it’s like to be a graduate student.

Undergraduate research
undergraduate showing research technique in structures lab.

Explore, get involved, try new things and soak up everything our campus and the surrounding environs have to offer.

Student life

The College of Engineering offers services specifically for engineering students, in addition to the services offered campus-wide.

Student services
Four students pose and smile with Dr. Ebony McGee in the IEDE Student Center
undergraduate showing research technique in structures lab.
Our eight renowned academic departments form the heart and personality of our college.
Nuclear Engineering & Engineering Physics

Life as a Badger engineer

See what it’s actually like to live, learn and grow here through the stories of the people who know us best.
“Nuclear is a very niche field. We have very small classes and you’re going to see a lot of the same people throughout the day, which helps build collaboration when you’re working on projects and studying together. I think that’s very helpful.”
Brienna Johnson, NE ’23 Operator, UW Nuclear Reactor
Brienna Johnson, NE ’23

Why should you choose UW-Madison for engineering? Find out what it’s like to major in engineering physics.

Gerald Kulcinski

Gerald Kulcinski: 2026 Distinguished Achievement Award recipient

BSChE ’61, MSNE ’62, PhDNE ’65Co-founder, president, CEO and CTO, Clandestine Materials Detection Inc. A nuclear engineering professor emeritus and…

Read the Full Story
2
undergraduate ranking among public universities in nuclear engineering
Jamie Coble

Focus on new faculty: Jamie Coble harnesses data analytics to improve nuclear power plant operations and maintenance

Headshot of engineering physics undergraduate student Jay Dregney

Rewarding research experiences shape an undergraduate’s path in fusion energy

Kathryn Huff

Focus on new faculty: Kathryn Huff is advancing modeling capabilities for nuclear reactors and fuel cycles

Objectives & outcomes

As an engineering physics major, you’ll learn how to think and participate deeply, creatively and analytically in emerging areas of engineering technology.

Learning Outcomes

  1. an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
  2. an ability to apply engineering research practices to produce results that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors
  3. an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
  4. an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts
  5. an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
  6. an ability to apply experimental, theoretical, and computational methods to address scientific and engineering objectives
  7. an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Objectives of the Engineering Physics Program
Educate students to think and participate deeply, creatively, and analytically in emerging areas of engineering technology.
Educate students in the basics of instrumentation, design of laboratory techniques, measurement, data acquisition, interpretation, and analysis.
Educate students in the methodology of research.
Provide and facilitate teamwork and multidisciplinary experiences throughout the curriculum.
Foster the development of effective oral and written communication skills.
Expose students to environmental, ethical and contemporary issues.

Degrees:

  • Conferred, 2025-2026
    Bachelor or Science, Engineering Physics: 5
  • Enrolled, Fall 2026
    Bachelor or Science, Engineering Physics: 50

Still exploring?

We have 13 engineering undergrad majors—so you can find the field that’s the best fit for you (even if you decide to switch later).

Compare majors

Select up to three majors to compare.

Questions?

Email questions to our College of Engineering team at FutureEngineers@engr.wisc.edu and someone will get back to you soon.