Physics, B.A.

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NY State Program Code: 04148
HEGIS Code: 1902.00
CIP Code: 40.0801

(52 credits)

The major leading to the Bachelor of Arts in physics is for those seeking a broad scientific and liberal arts education. The program helps students understand the basic laws of the physical world combined with a broad knowledge of liberal arts.

General Education Requirements

All students must satisfy the University’s General Education requirements in addition to the requirements for the major in physics. For the B.A. degree only, students must also satisfy the University’s foreign language requirements.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) In Physics

Required GPA: 2.0
Credits Required for Major: 52
Credits Required to Graduate: 120

PHY (0156) 113 - Physics For Science Majors I Credits: 4.00
PHY (0156) 114 - Physics for Science Majors II Credits: 4.00
PHY (0156) 125 - Physics Orientation Seminar Credits: 1.00
PHY (0156) 211 - Mathematical Methods in Physics I Credits: 4.00
PHY (0156) 216 - Modern Physics Credits: 4.00
PHY (0156) 230 - Statics Credits: 3.00
PHY (0156) 260 - Engineering Thermodynamics and Kinetic Theory Credits: 3.00
PHY (0156) 264 - Optics Credits: 3.00
PHY (0156) 322 - Advanced Physics Credits: 4.00
PHY (0156) 380 - Electromagnetic Theory Credits: 4.00
PHY (0156) 428 - Quantum Mechanics Credits: 4.00
Physics Electives²
MTH (0144) 141 - Calculus I Credits: 4.00 ¹
MTH (0144) 142 - Calculus II Credits: 4.00
MTH (0144) 243 - Calculus III Credits: 4.00
MTH (0144) 244 - Introduction to Ordinary Differential Equations Credits: 3.00
Level I-IV Language³

Semester Sequence

Degree: B.A. Required GPA: 2.0 Credits Required for Major: 52 Credits Required to Graduate: 120

Requirements
Course	Credits	Freshmen		Sophomore		Junior		Senior
		Fall	Spring	Fall	Spring	Fall	Spring	Fall	Spring
MTH (0144) 141 Calculus I¹	4	✓
PHY (0156) 113 Physics for Science Majors I	4	✓
PHY (0156) 125 - Physics Orientation Seminar	1	✓
PHY (0156) 114 Physics for Science Majors II	4		✓
MTH (0144) 142 Calculus II	4		✓	or ✓
MTH (0144) 244 Differential Equations	3			✓		or ✓
PHY (0156) 211 Mathematical Methods in Physics I	4			✓
PHY (0156) 216 Modern Physics	4			✓
PHY (0156) 230 Statics	3			✓
MTH (0144) 243 Calculus III	4			✓	or ✓
PHY (0156) 264 Optics	3				✓
PHY (0156) 260 Engineering Thermodynamics & Kinetic Theory	3				✓
PHY (0156) 322 Advanced Physics	4						✓
PHY (0156) 380 Electromagnetic Theory	4						✓
PHY (0156) 428 Quantum Mechanics	4					✓
Electives²							✓	✓	✓
Level I-IV Language³	0-12	✓	or ✓	✓	or ✓	✓	or ✓	✓	or ✓
¹To register for this course, student must have earned a grade of C or higher in MTH (0144) 140 - Precalculus or passed a departmental examination. ²Students should select electives in consultation with their adviser. Students are strongly encouraged to take PHY (0156) 243 - Introduction to Electrical Engineering , PHY (0156) 244 - Digital Circuits and MTH (0144) 253 - Linear Algebra as electives. ³Students may elect to sit for the language competency examination to be exempt from the foreign language requirement. Note: Students interested in the Combined Plan Program with the Fu Foundation Schoool of Engineering and Applied Science at Columbia University are advised to contact the Physics Department for details and to see the information at 3+2 or 4+2 Combined Plan Program in Engineering and Applied Sciences and Mathematics (Columbia University) .