Physics (B.S.)

For information about the B.S. in Physics, M.S. in Mechanical Engineering (an external, 5-year dual degree program with Stevens Institute of Technology), click here.

Unless otherwise noted, 120 credits of coursework is required for a baccalaureate degree with a minimum 2.0 overall GPA, and a minimum 2.0 major GPA.

Program Requirements Overview

General Education Requirements32
World Languages and Cultures Requirements3-6
Major Requirements71-75
Free Electives 114-7
Total Credits120
1

Graduate Swing Courses will count toward free electives for students in combined (UG/GR) programs.

Major Requirements

Physics Required Courses
PHYS 191University Physics I4
PHYS 192University Physics II4
PHYS 198Introductory Physics Seminar1
PHYS 210Intermediate Mechanics3
PHYS 220Oscillations, Waves, and Optics3
PHYS 230Intermediate Physics Laboratory4
PHYS 300Junior/Senior Physics Seminar1
PHYS 320Statistical and Thermal Physics3
PHYS 330Advanced Physics Laboratory4
PHYS 340Electricity and Magnetism3
PHYS 360Modern Physics3
PHYS 464Quantum Mechanics3
Physics Elective Courses
Select 9-12 credits from the list below.9-12
Physics Collateral Courses
CHEM 120General Chemistry I4
CHEM 121General Chemistry II4
CSIT 104Python Programming I3
MATH 122Calculus I4
or AMAT 120 Applied Calculus A
MATH 221Calculus II4
or AMAT 220 Applied Calculus B
MATH 222Calculus III4
AMAT 350Applied Mathematics I3-4
or MATH 325 Ordinary Differential Equation
or PHYS 377 Mathematical Physics
Total Credits71-75

Major Electives

PHYS 180Astronomy for Everyone4
PHYS 245Fundamentals of Electronics4
PHYS 280Astronomy for Physicists4
PHYS 310Advanced Mechanics3
PHYS 325Computational Physics3
PHYS 341Electronics and Digital Circuits4
PHYS 350Modern Optics4
PHYS 368Fluid Mechanics3
PHYS 377Mathematical Physics3
PHYS 380Observational Astronomy4
PHYS 399Special Topics in Physics1-4
PHYS 451Radiation and Medical Physics3
PHYS 461General Relativity3
PHYS 462Nuclear Physics4
PHYS 470Solid State Physics3
PHYS 480Astrophysics3
PHYS 495Research or Independent Study in Physics1-4

General Education Requirements

Click here for a list of courses that fulfill General Education categories.

A. New Student Seminar
Complete a 1 credit New Student Seminar course.1
C. Communication
1. Writing 3
2. Literature3
3. Communication3
D. Fine and Performing Arts
Complete a 3 credit Fine and Performing Arts course.3
F. Humanities
1. Great Works and Their Influences3
2. Philosophical and Religious Perspectives 3
G. Computer Science
Python Programming I (Fulfilled in the major.)
H. Mathematics
Fulfilled in the major.
Applied Calculus A
Calculus I
I. Natural Science Laboratory
University Physics I (Fulfilled in the major.)
J. Physical Education
Complete a 1 credit Physical Education course.1
K. Social Science
1. American and European History 3
2. Global Cultural Perspectives3
Course selected must also satisfy the World Cultures requirement.
3. Social Science Perspectives 3
L. Interdisciplinary Studies
Complete a 3 credit Interdisciplinary Studies course.3
Total Credits32

World Languages and Cultures Requirements

Click here for a list of courses that fulfill World Languages and Cultures categories.

World Languages
Based on language placement exam, complete one or two sequential courses in the same language. Requirement is automatically fulfilled by language major courses.3-6
World Cultures
Requirement may be fulfilled by course selected in General Education - Social Science: Global Cultural Perspectives. Requirement may also be fulfilled by major coursework. See list of courses.0-3
Total Credits3-9

Recommended Roadmap to Degree Completion

This four-year plan is provided as an outline for students to follow in order to complete their degree requirements within four years.  This plan is a recommendation and students should only use it in consultation with their academic advisor.

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
GENERAL EDUCATION: (A) New Student Seminar1GENERAL EDUCATION: (C2) Literature3
GENERAL EDUCATION: (C1) Writing3GENERAL EDUCATION: (C3) Communication3
AMAT 120 or MATH 1224AMAT 220 or MATH 2214
CSIT 1043PHYS 1924
PHYS 1914PHYS 1981
 15 15
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
GENERAL EDUCATION: (K3) Social Science – Social Science Perspectives3AMAT 350, MATH 325, or PHYS 3773
GENERAL EDUCATION: (L) Interdisciplinary Studies3CHEM 1214
CHEM 1204PHYS 3203
MATH 2224PHYS 3403
PHYS 2103 
 17 13
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
GENERAL EDUCATION: (D) Fine and Performing Arts3GENERAL EDUCATION: (F1) Humanities – Great Works and Their Influences3
World Language 13GENERAL EDUCATION: (F2) Humanities – Philosophical and Religious Perspectives3
PHYS 2203World Language 23
PHYS 2304PHYS 3603
PHYS 3001Physics Elective3-4
 14 15-16
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
GENERAL EDUCATION: (K1) Social Science – American and European History3GENERAL EDUCATION: (J) Physical Education1
GENERAL EDUCATION: (K2) Social Science – Global Cultural Perspectives3Physics Elective3-4
PHYS 3304Free Electives11-8
PHYS 4643 
Physics Elective3-4 
 16-17 15-13
Total Credits 120