Physics Major

Goal 1: The student will develop the skills to be able to analyze phenomena quantitatively, be able to build scientific models, and use the scientific method to test those models, and as such, experimentation will be a central part of the student’s curriculum. 

Outcome 1.1: Be conversant with fundamental laboratory methods including developing skills in experimental design, the use of electronic equipment, and analysis of data including computational methods of processing and analyzing data.

Outcome 1.2: Be able to translate problems in the natural sciences, especially those related to the physical world, into mathematical formulations utilizing calculus, differential equations, and linear algebra.

Goal 2: The student will gain an appreciation and understanding, and pursue a mastery of the foundations of physics including Newtonian mechanics, classical electricity and magnetism, thermodynamics, and quantum theory.

Outcome 2.1: Solve problems using classical Newtonian mechanics

Outcome 2.2: Solve problems in classical electricity and magnetism including wave  phenomena and optics.

Outcome 2.3: Understand the development of quantum mechanics from the failure of classical mechanics under certain conditions and be able to solve paradigmatic problems using fundamental quantum theory.

Outcome 2.4: Understand the development of classical thermodynamics and in conjunction with quantum theory, appreciate the need for a statistical approach to thermodynamics.

Goal 3: The student will gain an appreciation for, and integrate the contributions of physics within an historical and sociological context and be able to articulate the development of physical thought in both oral and written form.

Outcome 3.1: Competent in articulating ideas and laboratory research using oral and written forms of communication, especially as they pertain to disseminating these to the general public.

Outcome 3.2: Able to integrate the discipline of physics into a broader worldview, one that is able to see the developments in physics as useful to humankind.

Goal 4: The student will gain an appreciation for the central themes of physical thought as they apply to other areas of the natural sciences, the applied sciences, and technology.

Outcome 4.1: Through the General Education Program and, in particular, the Integrated Learning Courses, students in physics will develop their knowledge of the other areas of the natural sciences.

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:

1. Diversity, Globalization or Non-western Area Studies,
2. Ethics Intensive
3. Writing Intensive, and
4. 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

See this page about Overlays.

General Education Integrative Learning Component

See this page about Integrative Learning Component. Three courses:

GEP Electives

Six courses.

Major Requirements

Students are also required to enroll in PHY 390 Physics Seminar each semester.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 (PHY321) and Numerical Analysis (MAT311) are waived.

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) CHM120/120L/120R and CHM125/125L/125R can be replaced by (CSC133 or CSC115 or CSC120) and CSC357.

Physics/Secondary Education Double Undergraduate Major

Pennsylvania’s Secondary (referred to as "secondary" or "7-12") 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 this advisory track the required courses of Introduction to Linear Algebra (MAT226), Numerical Methods (MAT311), Statistical Mechanics (PHY409) and Quantum Mechanics (PHY321) are waived ( students could choose to take  PHY409, PHY321 as Physics electives).

Below the courses needed in this track to complete a the physics and education majors and earn secondary-education (7-12) certification in four years. 

¹

You must register for the field experience with any "F" course.

Note: Students may or may not be able to complete the requirements for certification within the normal 8 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.