Physics Major
Goal 1: The student will have a deep conceptual and working understanding of the laws of physical phenomena and pursue a mastery of the foundations of Physics.
Outcome 1.1: Students will be able to interpret and analyze a variety of physical phenomena by applying a fundamental and working knowledge of Newtonian Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism, Optics, Quantum Mechanics, and Statistical Thermodynamics.
Outcome 1.2: The students will be able to solve problems in Newtonian Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism, Optics, Quantum Mechanics and Statistical Thermodynamics
Goal 2: The student will be able to analyze phenomena quantitatively, be able to build scientific models, and use the scientific method to test those models theoretically and experimentally.
Outcome 2: Students will be able to develop models of physical phenomena by applying experimental, computational, theoretical, and critical reasoning skills.
Goal 3: Student will be able to conduct scientific research in physics and understand the central themes of physical thought as they apply to other areas of natural and applied sciences, technology, and engineering.
Outcome 3: Students will be able to describe, explain, and/or perform and present research activities by applying what they have learned in interdisciplinary activities and education, to various areas of sciences, technology and engineering.
The traditional undergraduate programs includes a minimum of 120 credits distributed across three components: A General Education component divided into Signature Courses, Variable Courses, and an Integrative Learning requirement; a Major and Divisional component; and Free Electives. In addition to course requirements as specified in each area, students must complete one certified course in each of the following overlay areas1:
- Diversity, Globalization or Non-western Area Studies,
- Ethics Intensive
- Writing Intensive, and
- Diversity
- 1
Overlay requirements are part of the 120 credit requirements
General Education Signature Courses
See this page about Signature courses.
General Education Variable Courses
See this page about Variable courses. Six to Nine courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | ||
| MAT 161 | Calculus I | 4 |
| Natural Science | ||
| PHY 105 & 105L | University Physics I and University Physics Lab I | 4 |
General Education Overlays
General Education Integrative Learning Component
See this page about Integrative Learning Component. Three courses:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | ||
| MAT 213 | Calculus III | 4 |
| Chemistry | ||
| CHM 120 & 120L | General Chemistry I and General Chemistry Lab I | 4 |
| CHM 125 & 125L | General Chemistry II and General Chemistry Lab II | 4 |
Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MAT 162 | Calculus II | 4 |
| MAT 226 | Introduction to Linear Algebra | 3 |
| MAT 238 | Differential Equations | 3 |
| MAT 311 | Numerical Analysis | 3 |
| PHY 106 & 106L | University Physics II and University Physics Lab II | 4 |
| PHY 213 & 213L | Physics III and Intro. Physics III Laboratory | 4 |
| PHY 251 | Modern Physics I | 3 |
| PHY 301 | Classical Mechanics | 3 |
| PHY 307 | Electricity and Magnetism | 3 |
| PHY 308 | Waves and Optics | 3 |
| PHY 311 | Experimental Methods of Phy I | 3 |
| PHY 312 | Experimental Methods in Phy II | 3 |
| PHY 321 | Quantum Mechanics I | 3 |
| PHY 409 | Statistical Mechanics | 3 |
| Two PHY 3-credit electives, which must be at the 300- level or higher | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 51 | |
Students are also required to enroll in PHY 390 Physics Seminar each semester.
Free Electives
Six courses.
Advisory Track in Materials Science
A student may elect to pursue a course of study if interested in the area of materials science and nanotechnology. These courses will prepare the student for either entry into various areas of the electronics and nanotechnology industries or for entry into a variety of graduate programs in physics and materials science engineering.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select two of the following courses for Physics Electives: | 6 | |
| PHY 480 | Intro to Materials Sci & Eng | 3 |
| PHY 440 | Introduction to Nanoscience | 3 |
| PHY 370 | Special Topics in Physics | 3 |
| PHY 405 | Solid State Physics | 3 |
Advisory Track in Astrophysics
A student may elect to pursue a course of study if interested in the area of astrophysics and cosmology. These courses will prepare the student for either be employed into various areas of the astrophysics and fields related to it and/or for entry into graduate programs in astrophysics, cosmology and gravitational waves.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select the two following courses for Physics Electives: | ||
| PHY 463 | Physics of Stars & Black Holes (Select three of the following) | 3 |
| PHY 465 | Introduction to Cosmology | 3 |
| Students can also select the following course as free elective | ||
| PHY 435 | General Relativity | 3 |
Advisory Track in Engineering Physics
A student may elect to pursue this course of study if there is interest to pursue a carrier in science and technology, to enter in graduate school in engineering, to find engineering employment in the private and public sector.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select two of the following courses for Physics Electives: | ||
| PHY 405 | Solid State Physics | 3 |
| PHY 370 | Special Topics in Physics | 3 |
| PHY 413 | Materials of Electronics | 3 |
| PHY 421 | Physics of Fluids | 3 |
| PHY 440 | Introduction to Nanoscience | 3 |
| PHY 480 | Intro to Materials Sci & Eng | 3 |
| PHY 415 | Computational Physics | 3 |
| PHY 423 | Biomechanics | 4 |
| PHY 407 | Soft Condensed Matter Physics | 3 |
Advisory Track in Biophysics
A student may elect to pursue a course of study if there is an interest to pursue a carrier in science and bio-technology, to enter in graduate school in Biophysics or Biomedical Engineering, to find employment in in the private and public sector. This track is very interdisciplinary and gives students strong preparation in the three natural sciences. Biophysics is a growing and important field to be in. For this track the the requirement of Numerical Analysis (MAT311) is waived.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select the two following courses for Physics Electives: | ||
| PHY 419 | Biophysics | 3 |
| CHM 341 | Molecular Structure Biochemist | 3 |
| For this track it is advised to take these courses as free electives | ||
| CHM 210 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHM 210L | Organic Chemistry Lab I | 1 |
| CHM 215 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHM 215L | Organic Chemistry Lab II | 1 |
| BIO 101 | Bio I: Cells | 4 |
| BIO 101L | Bio I: Cells Lab | 0 |
Advisory Track in Medical Physics
A student may elect to pursue a course of study leading there is interest to pursue a medical physics career . This track will prepare students to pursue a Masters or a PhD in Medical Physics in other Universities.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select two of the following courses for Physics Electives: | ||
| PHY 419 | Biophysics | 3 |
| PHY 412 | Medical Instrument & Imaging | 3 |
| For this track it is advised to take the following courses as free electives | ||
| PHY 408 | Advanced Electromagnetism | 3 |
| PHY 257 | Math Methods in Physics | 3 |
Pre-Medical, Pre-Dental Advisory Track
Physics majors may elect an advisory course sequence designed to meet medical /dental school admission requirements. For this track the requirements of Quantum Mechanics (PHY 321) and Numerical Analysis (MAT 311) are waived.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select two of the following courses for Physics Electives: | ||
| CHM 341 | Molecular Structure Biochemist | 3 |
| PHY 419 | Biophysics | 3 |
| For this track it is advised to take these courses as free electives | ||
| CHM 210 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHM 215 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHM 215L | Organic Chemistry Lab II | 1 |
| CHM 210L | Organic Chemistry Lab I | 1 |
| BIO 101 | Bio I: Cells | 4 |
| BIO 101L | Bio I: Cells Lab | 0 |
| BIO 102 | Bio II: Genetics | 4 |
| BIO 102L | Bio II: Genetics Lab | 0 |
| BIO 201 | Bio III: Organismic Biology | 4 |
| BIO 201L | Bio III: Organismic Biol Lab | 0 |
Advisory Track in Computational Physics and Engineering
This advisory course sequence is designed to prepare the student for an entry level position or graduate work in Computer Science and Engineering and to seek employment in the area of science and technology, computational science and engineering. For this advisory track in the General Education Integrative Learning Component (ILC) CHM 120/120L and CHM 125/125L can be replaced by (CSC 133 or CSC 115 or CSC 120) and CSC 357.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select the following two courses for Physics Electives: | ||
| PHY 257 | Math Methods in Physics | 3 |
| PHY 415 | Computational Physics | 3 |
| For this track it is advised to take two of these courses as free electives* | ||
| CSC 202 | Computer Architecture | 3 |
| CSC 351 | Database Management Systems | 3 |
| CSC 362 | Artificial Intelligence | 3 |
| CSC 490 | Internship | 3 |
| MAT 313 | Mathematical Optimization | 3 |
| MAT 316 | Operations Research | 3 |
Other Physics electives can be taken with the permission of the Physics Department's Chair | ||
Pennsylvania’s Secondary preparation program guidelines require a Professional Core of courses, early and varied field experiences , and student teaching. In addition to the subject-specific content requirements for secondary programs that are met by the student’s major, candidates for the 7-12 teaching certificate in Pennsylvania must complete a prescribed sequence of coursework which includes the specific requirements for Accommodations and Adaptations for Diverse Learners in Inclusive Settings and Meeting the Needs of English Language Learners under §49.13(4)(i)).
For the Physics and Secondary Education double major the required courses of Introduction to MAT 226 Linear Algebra, MAT 311 Numerical Methods, PHY 409 Statistical Mechanics and PHY 321 Quantum Mechanics are waived (students could choose to take PHY 409, PHY 321 as Physics electives).
The traditional undergraduate programs includes a minimum of 120 credits distributed across three components: A General Education component divided into Signature Courses, Variable Courses, and an Integrative Learning requirement; a Major and Divisional component; and Free Electives. In addition to course requirements as specified in each area, students must complete one certified course in each of the following overlay areas1:
- Diversity, Globalization or Non-western Area Studies,
- Ethics Intensive
- Writing Intensive, and
- Diversity
- 1
Overlay requirements are part of the 120 credit requirements
General Education Signature Courses
See this page about Signature courses.
General Education Variable Courses
See this page about Variable courses. Six to Nine courses
General Education Overlays
General Education Integrative Learning Component
See this page about Integrative Learning Component. Three courses:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MAT 213 | Calculus III | 4 |
| CHM 120 & 120L | General Chemistry I and General Chemistry Lab I | 4 |
| CHM 125 & 125L | General Chemistry II and General Chemistry Lab II | 4 |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Physics Major Requirements | ||
| MAT 162 | Calculus II | 4 |
| MAT 238 | Differential Equations | 3 |
| PHY 106 & 106L | University Physics II and University Physics Lab II | 4 |
| PHY 213 & 213L | Physics III and Intro. Physics III Laboratory | 4 |
| PHY 251 | Modern Physics I | 3 |
| PHY 301 | Classical Mechanics | 3 |
| PHY 307 | Electricity and Magnetism | 3 |
| PHY 308 | Waves and Optics | 3 |
| PHY 311 | Experimental Methods of Phy I | 3 |
| PHY 312 | Experimental Methods in Phy II | 3 |
| Three 300/400 Level Physics Electives | 9 | |
| Education Major Requirements | ||
| EDU 150 | Schools in Society w/ Field 1 | 3 |
| EDU 157 | Adolescent Development w/Field (may fulfill the GEP Social Science requirement) 1 | 3 |
| EDU 230 | Eval: Secondary Grades 7-12 | 3 |
| SPE 205 | Inclusive Classrooms w/ Field | 3 |
| EDU 246 | Language and Culture w/ Field (ELL) | 3 |
| EDU 247 | Literacy in Cont Areas w/Field | 3 |
| SPE 160 | Intro to Special Edu w/Field 1 | 3 |
| EDU 418 | Instr Techniq Science w/Field 1 | 3 |
| EDU 491 | Secondary Student Teaching | 12 |
| Total Hours | 78 | |
- 1
You must register for EDU 999 for field experience when registering for any Education or Special Education course that has 'w/ field' in the course title.
Note: Students may or may not be able to complete the requirements for certification within the normal eight semesters. This will be largely controlled by the number of GEP variable core courses the student has to take, AP credit received and other factors. Given the complexity of the requirements it is essential that students interested in pursuing secondary education certification speak with their academic advisor about this early in their program of study.
Five Year Combined BS in Physics/MS in Education Option
In addition to the Physics Education track which will allow students to complete an undergraduate double major in Physics and Education and earn a secondary-education (7-12) certification in four years, students can choose to pursue a five-year combined BS in Physics/MS in Education which will also lead to a secondary-education (7-12) certification. Students interested in the five-year program should speak to the Chair of the Department of Physics as early in their academic careers as possible.