Finding a major that's just right can be a bit of challenge. The solution for Laura Stiles came in the form of a "blended" degree program at the University of Kansas: Engineering Physics.
"I was having a hard time deciding between engineering and physics and astronomy," said Stiles of Prairie Village, Kan. This Class of 2008 Honors student was interested in taking the wide variety of classes that each major offered. "It was really perfect to have that major."
KU's Engineering Physics undergraduate degree is interdisciplinary in nature and jointly administered through the School of Engineering and the Department of Physics and Astronomy in KU's College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. The ABET-accredited program, which combines basic physics with engineering applications, offers four design options that allow students to pursue more specific interests.
Stiles is focusing on the Aerospace Systems track and is working toward a career in research, possibly at NASA. This summer she will intern at Raytheon Aircraft Company as well as take part in a national student competition involving rockets and telemetry. The competition is one of many opportunities she's been able to take part in since arriving on the KU campus.
At the beginning of her sophomore year, Stiles was invited to present a paper she wrote with KU Physics Professor Michael Murray at a nuclear physics conference for undergraduates in Maui, Hawaii.
"It was really awesome," Stiles said. When not presenting or attending prorgrams at the conference she had time to pursue other activities on the island such as surfing and cliff diving.
Back in Kansas, activities of a more academic nature keep Stiles involved: PESO, the KU organization for engineering physics students; XBS, the eXperimental Balloon Society; Kappa Delta sorority; Lambda Sigma sophomore honor society; and more.
Those activities and her strong academic record are producing rewards that she will carry with her forever.
In spring 2006, she was awarded Honorable Mention in the national Goldwater Scholarship competition. Each year, the program awards up to $7,500 for 300 talented sophomores and juniors who intend to pursue careers in mathematics, engineering, or the natural sciences.
"I was really surprised when I got the nomination from KU," she said. Her name was one of four that the university submitted to the Goldwater Scholarship Foundation. She is eligible to be nominated again in 2007.
Currently, Stiles is looking forward to her more intensive engineering physics design courses ahead. "I'd really like to start getting involved in an individual project." Engineering physics design projects give students hands-on experience in a specific area. Often, the projects help students further define their future career direction.
For Stiles that direction is a no-brainer.
"I don't think I'd be satisfied if I wasn't doing research and exploring new and exciting things."
