Engineering Physics
This subject has been around for long but has acquired greater focus recently, thanks to developments in both areas. Since it is a blended subject, it is quite natural that the emphasis will vary across universities, some tilting towards engineering while others keen on physics. This simply means that you have a greater choice depending on what interests you. Again, as with other blended subjects, the nomenclature varies along with emphasis on various possible application. There is a wide range of applications which is good for students as it enhances their choices. Whatever the emphasis, research is integral to the discipline and can get extremely specific.
Some universities call it Engineering Physics while some call it Applied Physics, and some call it Applied Science in Engineering Physics. Columbia University describes it as Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics with Materials Science and Engineering and offers various options within this classification (http://apam.columbia.edu/applied-physics). Another unique description is from the Carlos III University of Madrid, Spain, which offers a European Master in Nuclear Fusion Science and Engineering Physics (http://www.masterstudies.com/European-Master-in-Nuclear-Fusion-Science-and-Engineering-Physics/Spain/UC3M/).
Explicitly recognising the blended character of the subject, Harvard University says that it’s “The Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences’ doctoral and master’s degree programs lie at the interfaces of engineering, the applied sciences, and technology”. It states that “In keeping with the interdisciplinary nature of modern research, we do not have traditional academic departments and do not award degrees by specific research area. Instead, graduate students work toward a degree in one of six subjects—Applied Mathematics, Applied Physics, Computer Science, Computational Science & Engineering, Design Engineering, and Engineering Sciences. (http://www.seas.harvard.edu/academics/graduate)
Another very specialized description comes from George Mason University, Department of Physics and Astronomy, which offers a MA in Energy and Sustainability Concentration and is targeting “students who are pursuing or interested in pursuing careers in energy and environmentally related applications in the law, national and international policy, government, print and media journalism, public and social service, teaching, advanced graduate studies, ethics, business, and basic and applied research”.
(http://physics.gmu.edu/category/academics/graduate-programs/ma-energy-sustainability-concentration/)
The University of Massachusetts, Boston offers Applied Physics, MS
(https://www.umb.edu/academics/csm/physics/grad/applied_physics_ms).
The Illinois Institute of Technology offers a Master of Science in Applied Physics
(https://science.iit.edu/programs/graduate/master-science-applied-physics) as does the New Jersey Institute of Technology
(http://physics.njit.edu/academics/graduate/ms-appliedphysics.php.)
The New York University’s NYU Tandon School of Engineering offers a MS in Applied Physics ((http://engineering.nyu.edu/academics/programs/applied-physics-ms). The Department of Applied Physics at Stanford University also offers a MS (and PhD) in Applied Physics.
The University of British Columbia offers a Master of Science in Engineering Physics (https://www.grad.ubc.ca/prospective-students/graduate-degree-programs/master-of-applied-science-engineering-physics).
The University of Southern Denmark offers an MSc in Engineering – Physics and Technology (Acoustics and Signal Processing)
(http://www.sdu.dk/en/Uddannelse/Kandidat/PhysicsTechnologyAcoustics)