Department of Mathematics, Physics,

& Engineering

Dr. Javier Garza, Head

Math Building, Room 122

(254) 968-9168

FAX (254) 968-9534

Professors: Kirby, Little, Littleton, McCoy,

Snider, Winton

Associate Professors: DeOtte, Easterling, Garza, Hibbs,

Lawrence, McLatchy, Talley, White

Assistant Professors: Agapie, Brawner, Forrest, Marble, Martin, Martinez, Reese, Riggs, Wyatt

Instructors: Peters, J. Wood, K. Wood

        The Department of Mathematics, Physics, and Engineering offers programs of study leading to the Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics, Physics, Engineering Physics, Hydrology, and Computer Science. The Bachelor of Science in Mathematics provides a program of study that prepares students that are: 1) seeking to teach mathematics at the secondary level or 2) seeking employment in industry. On the graduate level, the Master of Science in Mathematics provides a program of study that prepares students additionally (beyond the undergraduate level) for employment in industry. Students completing the M.S. in Mathematics also receive preparatory work for pursuing a doctoral degree in mathematics or mathematics education. For further information about the graduate program, see the graduate section of the catalog. For more information about the Mathematics, Physics, Engineering, Hydrology, or Computer Science programs, visit the departmental web site at http://www.math.tarleton.edu.

¹ See p. 354 for MATH course descriptions.
² May satisfy university core curriculum requirement.
³ PHYS 1224 and 2424 are recommended for fulfillment of core Lab Science requirement.
⁴ Courses for supporting field are to be chosen from an academic area in which mathematics is applicable. Supporting field must be developed in consultation with the department heads involved.

ENGINEERING PHYSICS

        The Engineering Physics program at Tarleton State University prepares the student for employment as a professional engineer in the area of Electrical or Computer Engineering or for graduate study in Physics or Engineering.  Extensive study in math, science, engineering, and physics gives the Engineering Physics graduate the ability to design components, processes, and systems to meet specifications and the ability to work and communicate effectively in team-oriented, project-management-driven environments. Computer simulation and modern analytical tools are used to solve physical and electrical problems. Software development, hardware integration, and testing of microcomputers, microcontrollers, and design of microelectronic circuitry provide the graduate with the tools to apply computer and software-based solutions. Additional studies in ethics assure that the graduate understands engineers’ special responsibilities to protect the health and well being of the general public. See more details at: http://www.tarleton.edu/~Engineering.

        The first two years of the Engineering Physics program consist of the courses in the Engineering program. When the student successfully completes each designated course in the Engineering program with a grade of “C” or better, he or she may apply for admission into the Engineering Physics program.  Students must receive a grade of “C” or better in each course listed below as “Courses Required for BS in Engineering Physics” in order to graduate with a BS in Engineering Physics.

¹ Applies to University Core Curriculum

PHYSICS

        Physics is the science that investigates and tries to understand the basic laws of nature. In this pursuit, it deals with the entire range of natural phenomena from the smallest domain of sub-nuclear particles to the largest domain of distant objects in the universe. This breadth of interests is reflected in the type of work pursued by physicists. Some are interested in research on problems that are at the frontiers of knowledge. Some apply this newly acquired knowledge to make practical advances in fields like engineering. Still others use a knowledge of physics as a basis for careers in medicine, law, teaching or administration. A physical science secondary certification is also available as part of a BS in Physics.

COMPUTER SCIENCE

        The Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science prepares graduates to enter the high-tech work force or to continue their studies in computer science or related disciplines at the graduate level. This program provides a strong foundation in computer science, mathematics, and general science as recommended in the criteria for accrediting computing programs put forth by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) and in the computing curricula proposed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE). Students are encouraged to also specialize in a complementary area, through the support field of study.

 HYDROLOGY AND WATER RESOURCES

        One of the unique features of the Hydrology and Water Resources Program at Tarleton State University is that each student is required to complete an internship before graduation. The manner in which this requirement is met is for the student to work from 9 to 13 weeks (generally 40 hours a week) for a company or agency that has some expertise in hydrology. Often this leads to full-time employment at the end of the internship. See "4403. Internship" in the course offerings below and note the prerequisite that the "student must have completed all other courses listed on an official degree plan and have a grade of C or higher in all required courses in the following disciplines: hydrology, biology, geology, chemistry, math and physics." Personnel in the Hydrology and Water Resources/Engineering Division will assist in finding an appropriate internship sponsor.

        A student who wishes to be eligible to take the Engineering Fundamentals Examination as a graduate of an engineering-related science program should take the following courses:

A typical curriculum incorporating these courses may be obtained from the Division of Hydrology and Water Resources/Engineering. Completing these courses allows the student to minor in engineering.

ENGINEERING PROGRAM

The Engineering program at Tarleton State University prepares the student for further studies in specific engineering disciplines either at Tarleton State University or other colleges and universities. The Engineering Program comprises approximately one half of the course work required for a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering and is the entry point for all students wishing to major in engineering. Entry into the Engineering Program requires registration in Trigonometry, Pre-calculus or higher. Once the designated Engineering courses in the table below have been completed with a “C” or better, the student may apply for admission into the upper level programs leading to a degree in an engineering discipline at Tarleton.

The student may also choose to transfer to another engineering degree-granting college or university to complete the requirements for an engineering degree. To facilitate such transfers, Tarleton has made formal arrangements with Texas A&M University and the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA). Students who intend to earn their Engineering degrees from UTA may participate in UTA's Work Study Program while they are enrolled at Tarleton. The Engineering Program is aligned with the current program at Texas A&M University for seamless transfer.

Entering freshman Engineering students are evaluated for mathematics preparedness. The normal course progression calls for taking Mathematics 1204 (Calculus I) as the first mathematics course.  If the student is not prepared to take Calculus I as the first course, then he or she may be required to take MATH 1073 (College Algebra), MATH 1093 (Plane Trigonometry) or MATH 1163 (Pre-Calculus) instead. It is strongly recommended that students who are not certain that they are well grounded in algebra and trigonometry come to Tarleton and take the placement tests early enough in the summer prior to first enrollment so they can take any necessary calculus preparatory courses in summer school if they wish.

SUGGESTED CURRICULUM FOR ENGINEERING¹

¹   Requirements for different schools of engineering vary considerably. Students should seek counsel from the Engineering advisors in the Division of Engineering, Physics, Hydrology and Computer Science.
²    These courses must be completed with a grade of “C” or better before the student can make application to the upper level engineering programs at Tarleton State University

Please Note:

1)  TAMU, UTA, Texas Tech and many other universities require all students who have not taken two years of the same foreign language in high school to take a minimum of six semester hours of the same foreign language in college.
2)  The Agricultural Engineering courses listed elsewhere in this catalog are not intended for engineers and do not count toward accredited engineering degrees.