2024-25 University Bulletin 
    
    Nov 24, 2024  
2024-25 University Bulletin [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Physics, B.A.


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

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 ,

  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) .