A common criticism of science and engineering PhD programs is that they train students in one narrow field. The engineering physics program at the University of Virginia, where I am a student, defies this criticism. Instead of a fixed curriculum, students take four physics, four engineering, and two mathematics courses—the exact topics are up to them—and choose an advisor in any science or engineering department. As a result, each student has a unique combination of coursework and research training. Interdisciplinary programs, such as engineering physics, create opportunities and challenges, technically and interpersonally.

Although interdisciplinary work might seem like a new concept, many programs are surprisingly long established.