Professor John Pfotenhauer (left) and two of his students assemble a high-temperature, superconducting current-lead test rig. (Large image)

The Department of Engineering Physics offers a broad program of instruction and research in engineering mechanics, in several areas of engineering physics and materials science, and in the principles and applications of the interaction of radiation with matter. Because of the broad range of instruction and research offered, the department grants the following graduate degrees:

• MS, Engineering Mechanics
• PhD, Engineering Mechanics
• MS, Nuclear Engineering & Engineering Physics
• PhD, Nuclear Engineering & Engineering Physics

The "cross-fertilization" resulting from both of these programs being in the same department adds strength to each. For example, fluid and solid mechanics are important elements of current research on nuclear reactor safety. Computational research in both engineering mechanics and engineering physics involves similar numerical methods and a common approach to fundamental problems.

Innovative research is at the heart of the graduate program. Our faculty members are outstanding scholars whose interests span both traditional and emerging areas of nuclear engineering, engineering physics, and engineering mechanics. Their work puts them at the forefront of current research, and many have been recognized for their contributions with awards from national and international organizations.

Among our current faculty are three members of the National Academy of Engineering and three recipients of the NSF Presidential Young Investigator Award.