Ph.D. in Engineering Physics
Housed in the Department of Physical Sciences in the College of Arts & Sciences, the Ph.D. in Engineering Physics provides advanced education and research opportunities to exceptional students.
Students work in campus laboratories such as the Space and Atmospheric Instrumentation Lab, Engineering Physics Propulsion Lab, 1-meter Ritchey-Chrétien Reflecting Telescope, Space Physics Research Lab and the Laboratory for Exosphere and Near-Space Environment Studies (LENSES).
Research emphasizes the measurement, theory and modeling of the near-space, space-neutral and plasma environment; studies of the sun and stellar activity; orbital stability and dynamics; engineering spacecraft instrumentation and remote sensing measurements; and the design and implementation of electro-optical and radar systems.
Areas of research include:
- Aeronomy/Upper-Atmospheric Physics
- Dynamics and Control of Aerospace Systems
- Remote Sensing
- Space Physics
- Space Robotics/Autonomous Systems
- Space Weather
- Spacecraft Instrumentation
- Spacecraft Power and Thermal Control
- Spacecraft Systems Engineering
The department houses more than 20 faculty members, and assistantships and fellowships are available to well-qualified students.
Program-Level Learning Outcomes
Students will:
- Solve advanced space science and spacecraft engineering problems.
- Apply advanced spacecraft engineering core concepts.
- Exhibit mastery of scientific and engineering research techniques.
- Extend the knowledge base in space science and spacecraft engineering by conceiving, planning, producing, and communicating original research.
Daytona Beach Program Requirements
| Core Requirements | 12/15 * | |
| Technical Electives | 6/12 * | |
| Dissertation | 27/51 * | |
| Total Credits | 45/75 * | |
- *
WIth/Without previously earned M.S. in Engineering Physics
Program Details
The Ph.D. in Engineering Physics requires 45 credit hours beyond the master's degree (75 total credit hours beyond the bachelor's degree). Students who enter with only a bachelor's degree may earn the M.S. in Engineering Physics on the way to the Ph.D. by completing the first 30 credit hours as outlined below.
Earned Master's degree to Ph.D. Pathway (45 credit hours)
No credit hours from an outside Master's degree are counted toward the Ph.D. The program requirements include:
- 12 credit hours in core courses
- 6 credit hours of electives (minimum)
- 27 credit hours of dissertation (minimum)
Earned Bachelor's degree direct admission to the Ph.D. Pathway (75 Credit Hours)
Phase 1 - Students entering with a bachelor's degree will earn the M.S. in Engineering Physics degree en route to the Ph.D. by completing the following 30 credit hours:
- 12 credit hours of core courses
- ENGP 601 (3 credit hours)
- 6 credit hours of electives
- 9 credit hours of ENGP 800 (Dissertation Research)
Phase 2 – After earning the M.S., students will complete the remaining requirements for the Ph.D. (45 Credit Hours Beyond the M.S.)
- 6 credit hours of electives (minimum)
- 27 credit hours of EP 800 Dissertation Research (minimum)
- The combined total of electives and dissertation credit hours in Phase 2 must equal 45 credit hours
Additional Ph.D. Requirements (Both Pathways)
- Successful completion of a qualifying examination
- Successful presentation of a dissertation research proposal
- Successful completion of a written dissertation and oral defense
Core Requirements
| ENGP 601 | Experimental Methods in Space Science ** | 3 |
| ENGP 701 | Analytical Techniques in Engineering Physics | 3 |
| ENGP 702 | Theoretical Mechanics and Astrodynamics | 3 |
| ENGP 703 | Electrodynamics of Space Environment | 3 |
| ENGP 704 | Stochastic Systems in Engineering Physics | 3 |
| Total Credits | 12/15 | |
- **
ENGP 601 is only required for students that have not previously earned the M.S. in Engineering Physics
Technical Electives
| AERO/ASTR/CESC/CIVE/CPSC/DSCI/ELEC/ENGR/ENGP/ESCI/MATH/MECH/ PHYS/SFTW 500 level and above | 6/12 | |
| Total Credits | 6/12 | |
Dissertation
| ENGP 800 | Dissertation | 27/9 |
| Total Credits | 27/51 | |
Suggested Plan of Study
Year One
| Requirements | Credits |
|---|---|
| ENGP 701 - Analytical Techniques in Engineering Physics | 3 |
| ENGP 704 - Stochastic Systems in Engineering Physics | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 6 |
| Requirements | Credits |
|---|---|
| ENGP 702 - Theoretical Mechanics and Astrodynamics | 3 |
| ENGP 703 - Electrodynamics of Space Environment | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 6 |
Total Credits
Total Hours for All Requirements: 12
Year Two
| Requirements | Credits |
|---|---|
| Technical Elective | 3 |
| ENGP 800 - Dissertation | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 6 |
| Requirements | Credits |
|---|---|
| Technical Elective | 3 |
| ENGP 800 - Dissertation | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 6 |
Total Credits
Total Hours for All Requirements: 12
Year Three
| Requirements | Credits |
|---|---|
| ENGP 800 - Dissertation | 6 |
| Semester Hours | 6 |
| Requirements | Credits |
|---|---|
| ENGP 800 - Dissertation | 6 |
| Semester Hours | 6 |
Total Credits
Total Hours for All Requirements: 12
Year Four
| Requirements | Credits |
|---|---|
| ENGP 800 - Dissertation | 6 |
| Semester Hours | 6 |
| Requirements | Credits |
|---|---|
| ENGP 800 - Dissertation | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 3 |
Total Credits
Total Hours for All Requirements: 9