BS Electrical Engineering and BS Physics or BA Physics and Astrophysics

A dual BSEE and BS Physics or BA in Physics and Astrophysics degree accomplished in 4 years

If you are interested in this program, please contact Prof. Paul Schwoebel (kas@unm.edu)

The expanding national emphasis on innovation means there is a high demand for people having the combined skill set of the engineer's applications focus and the physicist's detailed scientific background. This competence is sought after by industry and positively viewed by graduate school admission committees. Examples of fields that require interdisciplinary education and training are:

  • Quantum computation and information
  • Nano science and engineering
  • Photonics
  • Materials science and engineering
The inherent flexibility in the UNM dual BSEE – BS/BA physics degree program allows the electrical engineering student to tailor the physics degree to complement their end-goals.

Note that a dual degree has a significant advantage over a double major, where you earn one degree with two areas of specialization. With the dual degree you will actually list two degrees on your resume: a BS in EE and a BS in physics or a BA in physics and astrophysics. 

You as a student can achieve the BS physics with only two supplementary physics courses added to your regular BSEE curriculum (one physics course for the BA). This can be accomplished within 4 years of study because the dual degree uses BSEE elective requirements to partially satisfy the physics degree requirements. See below for the BSEE/BS Physics dual degree plan and the BSEE/BA Physics and Astrophysics dual degree plan. See ♦ at the end of this page regarding College of Arts and Sciences residency requirements for the physics degree.

Dual degree BSEE/BS in Physics

(Example 4-year roadmap)

Uses 3 elective courses in the BSEE - the Basic Science elective and 2 ECE electives (3**/4**) - plus two additional physics courses selected from the lists below. Registering for some physics courses will require an override of prerequisites and/or corequisites. Please contact Prof. Paul Schwoebel (kas@unm.edu) for these overrides.

  • BSEE Basic Science Elective: PHYS 330 (Modern Physics)
  • BSEE ECE Elective (3**/4**): PHYS 303 (Analytical Mechanics 1)
  • BSEE ECE Elective (3**/4**): PHYS 491 (Quantum Mechanics 1)
  • Any one of:
    • PHYS 302L (Optics Lab)
    • PHYS 307L (Junior Laboratory – Modern Physics)
    • PHYS 476L (Experimental Techniques of Optics)
    • ASTR 2110 (General Astronomy 1)
  • Any one of:
    • PHYS 492 (Quantum Mechanics 2)
    • ASTR 423 (Radio Astronomy)
    • PHYS 430 (Solid State Physics)
    • PHYS 493L (Contemporary Physics Laboratory)
    • ECE/PHYS 534 (Plasma Physics)
    • PHYS 450 (Subatomic Physics)
    • PHYS 480 (Special Topics in P&A: Biophysics, Relativity, Astrophysics…)
    • PHYS 463 (Advanced Optics)
    • PHYS 464 (Laser Physics)
    • PHYS 405 (Electricity and Magnetism 1)

Dual degree BSEE/BA in Physics and Astrophysics

(Example 4-year roadmap)

Uses 3 elective courses in the BSEE - the Basic Science elective and 2 ECE electives (3**/4**) - plus one additional physics course selected from the list below. Registering for some physics courses will require an override of prerequisites and/or corequisites. Please contact Prof. Paul Schwoebel (kas@unm.edu) for these overrides.

  1. BSEE Basic Science Elective: PHYS 330 (Modern Physics)
  2. BSEE ECE Elective (3**/4**): ASTR 2110 (General Astronomy 1)
  3. Any two of (one as ECE Elective (3**/4**):
    • PHYS 301 (Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics)
    • PHYS 302 (Photonics)
    • PHYS 302L (Optics Lab)
    • PHYC 307L (Junior Laboratory – Modern Physics)
    • PHYC 476L (Experimental Techniques of Optics)
    • PHYC 491 (Quantum Mechanics 1)
    • ASTR 423 (Radio Astronomy)
    • PHYS 430 (Solid State Physics)
    • PHYS 493L (Contemporary Physics Laboratory)
    • ECE/PHYS 534 (Plasma Physics)
    • PHYS 450 (Subatomic Physics)
    • PHYS 480 (Special Topics in P&A: Biophysics, Relativity, Astrophysics…)
    • PHYS 463 (Advanced Optics)
    • PHYS 464 (Laser Physics)
    • PHYS 405 (Electricity and Magnetism 1)
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♦ College of Arts & Sciences Residency Requirements

Students in the dual-degree program will be housed in the School of Engineering for the majority of their studies at UNM. For two semesters they will be housed in the College of Arts and Sciences (A&S) in order to fulfill A&S residency requirements for the physics degree. These requirements are that a student complete at least 12 credit hours of coursework during two semesters while housed in A&S as a physics or physics and astrophysics major.

To begin residency in A&S the student must have 26 credit hours of course work with a minimum GPA of 2.0 and completed:

  • ENGL1120 - Composition II (First General Education Communication requirement)
  • The Second General Education Communication requirement
  • The General Education Second Language requirement
  • PHYS1310 - Calculus-Based Physics I

Following the dual-degree roadmaps on this page A&S residency can begin in the junior year. If you are unsure whether you meet the A&S requirements to begin residency, or are ready to begin residency in A&S, please schedule an appointment with a Physics & Astronomy advisor on Student Hub (https://universityofnewmexico.my.site.com/s/login/) or by calling the A&S Center for Academic Success (505-277-4621).