Physics Program Requirements for 2023-2024
B.A. in Physics
Only courses designated as physics courses (PHYS) that may be applied to the major are included in the determination of the grade point average in the major.
Requirements
Core Requirements – 33 credits
- PHYS 141 – General Physics Workshop I (4)*
- PHYS 142 – General Physics Workshop II (4)*
- PHYS 211 – Modern Physics I (4)
PHYS 211L – Modern Physics I Laboratory (1) - PHYS 212 – Modern Physics II (4)
PHYS 212L – Modern Physics II Laboratory (1) - MATH 120 – P4 Calculus I (4)
- MATH 122 – P4 Calculus II (4)
- MATH 221C – Calculus III (4)
- MATH 222 – SQ Introduction to Dynamical Systems (3)
Additional Requirements –12 credits
- 12 additional credits of physics electives (at the 200 level or above)
Total: 45 credits
*PHYS 121C or 131C if previously taken, may automatically substitute for PHYS 141; likewise, PHYS 122C or 132C if previously taken, may automatically substitute for PHYS 142.
B.A. in Physics with Inclusive Adolescence Education
Disclosure: This degree program is intended for students who are/will be part of the Noyce Inspire scholarship. Other students can enroll in this degree, however, only those who have applied and were selected by the Noyce Scholarship Committee will receive the scholarship. Visit the Noyce website for more details.
The B.A. in physics with inclusive adolescence education degree program is a dual certification program comprised of both the physics major and the inclusive adolescence education major with certification concentration in adolescence education – physics (7-12) and students with disabilities - generalist (7-12) certification. This program prepares teacher candidates to be highly capable and ethically responsible teachers who have the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary to teach and reach all students effectively in adolescence education (grades 7-12).
Students in the B.A. in physics with inclusive education degree program must successfully complete the B.A. physics requirements as listed above as well as all of the inclusive adolescence education requirements (40 credits: see Inclusive Adolescence Education for details). A minor is not required for this B.A. degree as the program results in a double major. Students must earn grades of “C” or higher in all courses in the content area.
B.S. in Physics
Only courses designated as physics courses (PHYS) that may be applied to the major are included in the determination of the grade point average in the major.
Requirements
The credits for each course are indicated in parentheses following the course title.
Core Requirements – 33 credits
- PHYS 141 – General Physics Workshop I (4)*
- PHYS 142 – General Physics Workshop II (4)*
- PHYS 211 – Modern Physics I (4)
PHYS 211L – Modern Physics I Laboratory (1) - PHYS 212 – Modern Physics II (4)
PHYS 212L – Modern Physics II Laboratory (1) - MATH 120 – P4 Calculus I (4)
- MATH 122 – P4 Calculus II (4)
- MATH 221C – Calculus III (4)
- MATH 222 – SQ Introduction to Dynamical Systems (3)
Additional Requirements – 24 credits
Choose ONE option from the following.
- B.S. Option I: 24 additional credits in physics: PHYS 301, 333, 334, 341, 342, 365, 451, and 452.
- B.S. Option II: 24 additional credits to include: 12 additional credits of physics electives and 12 credits of science courses chosen from biology, chemistry, or physics. The courses in biology or chemistry must be chosen from those specifically named and numbered courses that satisfy the minor requirements in those disciplines or by electives at the 200 level or above. The courses in physics must be those at the 200-400 level. The 12-hour science course combination can consist of courses entirely from biology, chemistry, or physics.
Total: 57 credits
*PHYS 121C or 131C if previously taken, may automatically substitute for PHYS 141; likewise, PHYS 122C or 132C if previously taken, may automatically substitute for PHYS 142.
B.S. Inclusive Adolescence Education Dual Major/Concentration in Physics
Students pursuing teaching certification in inclusive adolescence education (physics) may dual major in inclusive adolescence education and physics (B.A. or B.S. degree requirements as listed above) or they may choose to complete a physics concentration. Either choice results in a Bachelor of Science degree. In addition to meeting all of the inclusive adolescence education requirements (40–43 credits: see Inclusive Adolescence Education for details), the physics department has outlined the following courses for the physics concentration which meet the New York state requirement for certification. Students must earn grades of “C” or higher in all courses in the content area.
- PHYS 141 – General Physics Workshop I (4)
- PHYS 142 – General Physics Workshop II (4)
- PHYS 211 – Modern Physics I (4)
- PHYS 211L – Modern Physics Lab I (1)
- PHYS 212 – Modern Physics Lab II (4)
- PHYS 212L – Modern Physics Lab II (1)
- MATH 120C – P4 Calculus I (4)
- MATH 122C – P4 Calculus II (4)
- TWO Physics electives at 300 level or above (6)
Total: 32 hours
B.S. Inclusive Childhood Education Dual Major/Concentration in Physics
Students pursuing teaching certification in inclusive childhood education must declare either a second major or a concentration in a liberal arts field. Either choice results in a Bachelor of Science degree. Inclusive childhood education majors who wish to pursue a dual major with physics take all of the major requirements as listed above (B.A. or B.S. degree requirements) in addition to meeting all of the inclusive childhood education requirements (49–52 credits: see Inclusive Childhood Education for details). If an inclusive childhood education major wishes to complete a concentration in physics, the physics department in conjunction with the education department has outlined the following courses that meet the New York state requirement for a liberal arts concentration in this field: Students must earn grades of “C” or higher in all courses in the content area.
- PHYS 141 – General Physics Workshop I (4)
- PHYS 142 – General Physics Workshop II (4)
- PHYS 211 – Modern Physics I (4)
- PHYS 211L – Modern Physics Lab I (1)
- PHYS 212 – Modern Physics Lab II (4)
- PHYS 212L – Modern Physics Lab II (1)
- MATH 120C – P4 Calculus I (4)
- MATH 122C – P4 Calculus II (4)
- TWO Physics electives at 300 level or above (6)
Total: 32 hours
Minor in Physics
A grade point average of 2.00 is required for all courses taken in residence that may be applied to the minor.
Requirements
- PHYS 141 – General Physics Workshop I (4)*
- PHYS 142 – General Physics Workshop II (4)*
- PHYS 211 – Modern Physics I (4)
PHYS 211L – Modern Physics I Laboratory (1)** - PHYS 212 – Modern Physics II (4)
PHYS 212L – Modern Physics II Laboratory (1)**
Total: 18 credits
*PHYS 121C or 131C if previously taken, may automatically substitute for PHYS 141; likewise, PHYS 122C or 132C if previously taken, may automatically substitute for PHYS 142.
**A student may complete the physics minor by opting to take a 300 – level physics course in place of the two modern physics labs.
Note: The program requirements listed are for the current academic year. Past and future program requirements may differ.
- Visit the catalog website to access current and past catalogs.
- View Core requirements and degree requirements.