Physics, B.A.

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

(57 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, including training in the theory, computation, and experimentation of the discipline. Students gain focused career preparation 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.

Required Physics Core Courses

(33 credits)

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) 175 - Project Lab: Getting Started on Research Credits: 1.00
PHY (0156) 211 - Mathematical Methods in Physics I Credits: 4.00
PHY (0156) 232 - Classical Mechanics Credits: 4.00
PHY (0156) 263 - Statistical Mechanics Credits: 3.00
PHY (0156) 275 - Project Lab: Applied Physics Credits: 1.00
PHY (0156) 375 - Project Lab: Quantum & Advanced Physics Credits: 1.00
PHY (0156) 380 - Electromagnetic Theory Credits: 4.00
PHY (0156) 428 - Quantum Mechanics Credits: 4.00

Career Modules

(9 credits)

Students must also complete 9 credits in one of the following four Career Modules:

Industry

Industry Module: Students must complete 9 credits in PHY 495 Physics Internship. These 9 credits can be taken all at once or split among multiple internships.

Teaching

Teaching Module: Students must take 9 credits for science breadth from courses in chemistry, biology, earth science, and/or environmental science.

BIO (0105) 111 - Biological Concepts and Methods I Credits: 4.00
BIO (0105) 112 - Biological Concepts and Methods I I Credits: 4.00
CHE (0106) 111 - General Chemistry I Credits: 4.00
CHE (0106) 112 - General Chemistry II Credits: 4.00
EAS (0112) 102 - Physical Geology Credits: 4.00
or (cross-listed with)
ENV (0125) 109 - Physical Geology Credits: 4.00
EAS (0112) 103 - Historical Geology Credits: 4.00
or (cross-listed with)
ENV (0125) 110 - Historical Geology Credits: 4.00
EAS (0112) 104 - Environmental Geology Credits: 3.00
or (cross-listed with)
ENV (0125) 104 - Environmental Geology Credits: 3.00
EAS (0112) 110 - Natural Science and Environmental Problems Credits: 3.00
or (cross-listed with)
ENV (0125) 102 - Natural Science and Environmental Problems Credits: 3.00

Engineering

Engineering Module: Students must complete 9 credits of engineering courses through an approved combined-plan program.

GradPrep

GradPrep Module: Students must complete a physics-related thesis (taking 3 credits of PHY 421), and complete 6-credits of approved upper-level (300-level or above) elective physics courses.

PHY (0156) 421 - Undergraduate Physics Project I Credits: 3.00

Required Mathematics Courses

(15 credits)

MTH (0144) 141 - Calculus I Credits: 4.00
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

B. A. Language Requirement Language

Level I-IV Language - Students may elect to sit for the language competency examination to be exempt from the foreign language requirement.

Degree Map

The degree map is a term-by-term sample course schedule to make it easier for you to understand how to graduate in four years with a degree in Physics.