Applied Sciences, B.S.
Introduction
As a Carolina engineering student, you’ll build the fundamentals to become a modern problem solver. It’s your chance to explore and work with the latest future-focused solutions, materials and technologies of today—while building the fundamentals you’ll need to one day design possibilities not yet imagined. And because you’ll earn this degree while immersed in the University’s wider liberal arts environment, you gain more than excellent technical skills. You’ll also hone the creative, critical thinking and analytical skills you need to address complicated challenges that are both pressing and practical.
This program is unique collaboration between the Department of Applied Physical Sciences (APS) in the College of Arts and Sciences and the Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering (ESE) in the Gillings School of Global Public Health. APS is the home department for the major and all students will take their foundational engineering classes in APS. For the upper level engineering tracks, students in the materials engineering track will take classes in APS, and students in the Environmental Engineering track will take classes in ESE.
For students who are considering this major, we recommend that you take the following courses to get an introduction to the program: APPL 101 Exploring Engineering or APPL 110 Design and Making for Engineers: Developing Your Personal Design Potential .
Advising
All majors and minors have a primary academic advisor from the Academic Advising Program. Students are encouraged to meet regularly with their advisor and review their Tar Heel Tracker each semester. The department’s director of undergraduate studies and faculty advisors work with current and prospective majors by appointment (see contacts tab above). Faculty advisors are assigned to all applied sciences majors and applied science and engineering minors, and they assist students in a variety of major/minor related areas, including course planning, undergraduate research opportunities, the honors program, internships, career opportunities, and graduate school and fellowship applications. In order to register for classes each semester, students admitted to the major must consult with their advisor to get their registration flag cleared.
Career Opportunities and Graduate School
Applied sciences graduates possess a valuable combination of deep technical knowledge and practical problem-solving skills. With training that bridges science and engineering, our graduates are equipped to tackle complex, real-world challenges across multiple sectors. A major in applied physical sciences prepares students for careers in fields such as engineering, technical consulting, product management, business development, science communication, and entrepreneurship. APS maintains more career information on the department website.
Common job titles for applied sciences bachelor's degree recipients include:
- Process Engineer
- Project Engineer
- Quality Engineer
- Product Development Engineer
- Applications Engineer
- Test Engineer
- Research Scientist
- Laboratory Technician
- Materials Engineer
- Materials Analyst
- Environmental Engineer
- Sustainability Specialist
- Environmental Consultant
Admissions
Students may pre-declare the Applied Sciences major at any time, which signals an intention to apply to the program. Students who wish to enroll in the Applied Sciences major must apply for admission. Admission to the university does not guarantee admission to the program.
Students will apply via a standard application that requests biographical information and an essay. The admissions committee will also seek academic records through the close of the semester, course data from required departmental courses, and any other information available on your contributions to the University community.
There are admissions deadlines each December and May. Students should apply by the Fall semester of their sophomore year at the latest. Please visit our website for more details on the application process.
Students will need to complete the following prerequisite or corequisite math and science courses during or before the semester that they apply for admission. These courses are similar to what students take for other STEM majors in the first year:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CHEM 101 | 
General Descriptive Chemistry I 1, H, F | 3 |
| CHEM 101L |
Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory I 1 | 1 |
| MATH 231 |
Calculus of Functions of One Variable I 1, H, F | 4 |
| PHYS 118 |
Introductory Calculus-based Mechanics and Relativity 1, H, F | 4 |
| ENGL 105 |
English Composition and Rhetoric | 3 |
| H | Honors version available. An honors course fulfills the same requirements as the nonhonors version of that course. Enrollment and GPA restrictions may apply. |
| F | FY-Launch class sections may be available. A FY-Launch section fulfills the same requirements as a standard section of that course, but also fulfills the FY-SEMINAR/FY-LAUNCH First-Year Foundations requirement. Students can search for FY-Launch sections in ConnectCarolina using the FY-LAUNCH attribute. |
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With a grade of C or better. AP, IB, or transfer credit will be accepted according to university policies.
Student Learning Objectives
Upon completion of the applied sciences (B.S.) program, students should be able to:
- Identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
- Apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
- Communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
- Recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
- Function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
- Develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
- Acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.
Requirements
In addition to the program requirements, students must
- earn a minimum final cumulative GPA of 2.000
- complete a minimum of 45 academic credit hours earned from UNC–Chapel Hill courses
- take at least half of their major core requirements (courses and credit hours) at UNC–Chapel Hill
- earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.000 in the major core requirements. Some programs may require higher standards for major or specific courses.
For more information, please consult the degree requirements section of the catalog.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements | ||
| APPL 101 | Exploring Engineering | 3 |
| APPL 110 | Design and Making for Engineers: Developing Your Personal Design Potential F | 3 |
| COMP 110 | Introduction to Programming H | 3 |
| or COMP 116 | Introduction to Scientific Programming | |
| APPL 240 | Electronics from Sensors to Indicators: Circuits that Interact with the Physical World | 4 |
| APPL 260 | Materials Science and Engineering: Living in a Material World | 4 |
| APPL 285 | Engineering Fundamentals of Force, Motion, and Energy | 4 |
| APPL 385 | Thermodynamics for Engineers | 4 |
| Select one of the following tracks: | 16 | |
Environmental Engineering Track (16 credits), see details below | ||
Materials Engineering Track (16 credits), see details below | ||
| APPL 697 | Capstone Design I (pending approval) | 3 |
| APPL 698 | Capstone Design II (pending approval) | 3 |
| Additional Requirements | ||
| CHEM 101 & 101L | General Descriptive Chemistry I and Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory I H, F | 4 |
| CHEM 102 & 102L | General Descriptive Chemistry II and Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory II H, F | 4 |
| MATH 231 | Calculus of Functions of One Variable I H, F | 4 |
| MATH 232 | Calculus of Functions of One Variable II H, F | 4 |
| MATH 233 | Calculus of Functions of Several Variables H | 4 |
| MATH 383 & 383L | First Course in Differential Equations and First Course in Differential Equations Laboratory H | 4 |
| PHYS 118 | Introductory Calculus-based Mechanics and Relativity H, F | 4 |
| PHYS 119 | Introductory Calculus-based Electromagnetism and Quanta H, F | 4 |
| Total Hours | 79 | |
| H | Honors version available. An honors course fulfills the same requirements as the nonhonors version of that course. Enrollment and GPA restrictions may apply. |
| F | FY-Launch class sections may be available. A FY-Launch section fulfills the same requirements as a standard section of that course, but also fulfills the FY-SEMINAR/FY-LAUNCH First-Year Foundations requirement. Students can search for FY-Launch sections in ConnectCarolina using the FY-LAUNCH attribute. |
ECON 101 is recommended, but not required.
Environmental Engineering Track
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ENVR 205 & 205L | Engineering Tools for Environmental Problem Solving and Engineering for Environmental Problem Solving: Advanced Problems Lab | 4 |
| Choose one foundational environmental engineering course: | 3 | |
| Chemical Equilibria in Natural Waters | ||
| Environmental Health Microbiology | ||
| Sustainable Energy Systems | ||
| Air Pollution, Chemistry, and Physics | ||
| Choose one modelling course: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Environmental Modeling | ||
| Groundwater Hydrology | ||
| Temporal GIS and Space/Time Geostatistics for the Environment and Public Health | ||
| Energy Modeling for Environment and Public Health | ||
| Computational Toxicology and Exposure Science | ||
| Choose two process engineering courses: | 6 | |
| Physical/Chemical Processes for Water Treatment | ||
| Environmental Process Biotechnology | ||
| Analysis of Water Resource Systems | ||
| Total Hours | 16 | |
Materials Engineering Track
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| APPL 462 | Engineering Materials: Properties, Selection and Design | 3 |
| APPL 472 | Materials Characterization Methods | 4 |
| Choose three advanced materials engineering courses. These courses can come from a combination of one or both categories: | 9 | |
| Optoelectronics from Materials to Devices 1 | ||
| Bioelectronic Materials 1 | ||
| Engineering of Soft Materials: SpongeBob Squarepants and Other Squishy Things 2 | ||
| Materials Design for Biomedicine 2 | ||
| Total Hours | 16 | |
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Electronics and optics
- 2
Soft materials
Sample Plan of Study
Sample plans can be used as a guide to identify the courses required to complete the major and other requirements needed for degree completion within the expected eight semesters. The actual degree plan may differ depending on the course of study selected (second major, minor, etc.). Students should meet with their academic advisor to create a degree plan that is specific and unique to their interests. The sample plans represented in this catalog are intended for first-year students entering UNC–Chapel Hill in the fall term. Some courses may not be offered every term.
| First Year | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| First-Year Foundation & Gen Ed Courses | ||
| First-Year Seminar or First-Year Launch | 3 | |
| ENGL 105 |
English Composition and Rhetoric |
3 |
| IDST 101 |
College Thriving |
1 |
| IDST 111L |
Data Literacy Lab |
1 |
| Major courses | ||
| FALL semester | ||
| APPL 110 |
Design and Making for Engineers: Developing Your Personal Design Potential F |
3 |
| MATH 231 |
Calculus of Functions of One Variable I H, F |
4 |
| CHEM 101 & 101L |
General Descriptive Chemistry I and
Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory I H, F |
4 |
| SPRING semester | ||
| MATH 232 |
Calculus of Functions of One Variable II H, F |
4 |
| PHYS 118 |
Introductory Calculus-based Mechanics and Relativity H, F |
4 |
| APPL 101 |
Exploring Engineering |
3 |
| Hours | 30 | |
| Sophomore Year | ||
| Major courses | ||
| FALL semester | ||
| CHEM 102 & 102L |
General Descriptive Chemistry II and Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory II H, F |
4 |
| MATH 233 |
Calculus of Functions of Several Variables H |
4 |
| APPL 285 | Engineering Fundamentals of Force, Motion, and Energy | 4 |
| Gen Ed #1 | 3 | |
| SPRING semester | ||
| PHYS 119 |
Introductory Calculus-based Electromagnetism and Quanta H, F |
4 |
| APPL 240 | Electronics from Sensors to Indicators: Circuits that Interact with the Physical World | 4 |
| APPL 260 | Materials Science and Engineering: Living in a Material World | 4 |
| COMP 110 |
Introduction to Programming H |
3 |
| Hours | 30 | |
| Junior Year | ||
| Major courses & General Education courses | ||
| FALL semester | ||
| MATH 383 & 383L |
First Course in Differential Equations and First Course in Differential Equations Laboratory H |
4 |
| APPL 385 | Thermodynamics for Engineers | 4 |
| T1 Track Gateway Note that T1 is 4 credit hours in the Env Eng track and 3 credit hours in the Mat Eng track | 4 | |
| Lifetime Fitness | 1 | |
| Gen Ed #2 | 3 | |
| SPRING semester | ||
| T2 Track course #2 | 3 | |
| T3 Track course #3 | 3 | |
| Gen Ed #3 | 3 | |
| Gen Ed #4 | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 31 | |
| Senior Year | ||
| Major courses, General Education courses & Electives | ||
| FALL semester | ||
| T4 Track course #4 | 3 | |
| APPL 697 Capstone Design I | 3 | |
| Gen Ed #5 | 3 | |
| Gen Ed #6 | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| SPRING semester | ||
| T5 Track course #5 | 3 | |
| APPL 698 Capstone Design II | 3 | |
| Gen Ed #7 | 3 | |
| Electives | 5 | |
| Hours | 29 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
| H | Honors version available. An honors course fulfills the same requirements as the nonhonors version of that course. Enrollment and GPA restrictions may apply. |
| F | FY-Launch class sections may be available. A FY-Launch section fulfills the same requirements as a standard section of that course, but also fulfills the FY-SEMINAR/FY-LAUNCH First-Year Foundations requirement. Students can search for FY-Launch sections in ConnectCarolina using the FY-LAUNCH attribute. |
Department Programs
Major
- Materials Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
Minor
Graduate Programs
Courses
For additional information, see the department website.
Department of Applied Physical Sciences
1129 Murray Hall, CB# 3050
(919) 843-5150
