Content evaluation of traditional core physics courses in engineering curricula

Abstract

Core physics courses are prescribed in engineering curricula by professional and accrediting bodies. However, factors such as curriculum crowding and time constraints frequently bring into question the content and the extent of coverage of these courses. A survey was undertaken to assess the attitudes of engineering faculty to physics, mathematics and chemistry courses. The results for physics confirm that, while many of the classical topics in physics are perceived as relevant in engineering curricula by all faculty, topics in modern physics are not. Furthermore, variations in attitudes towards modern physics exist on a departmental and regional basis. This paper presents the results of the physics survey, with an analysis of attitudes towards physics in general in engineering curricula and to individual topics in particular, and tries to suggest reasons for the variations in departmental and regional attitudes.