Physics Major (B.S.)

Core Requirements 1
COR 100First Year Seminars: Transitions3
WRT 101Critical Writing3
PHL 110Introduction to Philosophy3
HST 110World Civilization I3
HST 111World Civilization II3
ENG 210Major Authors3
PHL 210Moral Philosophy3
Theology3
EAC Encountering Another Culture/Language6
ENG 310Literature and Culture3
Mathematics3
Social Science3
Natural Science3
IDS Interdisciplinary Studies3
Religion3
COR 400Senior Studies: Transformations3
VPA Visual & Performing Arts3
DIV Diversity0
Major Requirements
Select one of the following sequences:6
General Physics Scientists/Engineers I
and General Physics Scientists/Engineers II (preferred)
Non-Calculus General Physics I
and Non-Calculus General Physics II
PHY 103General Physics Laboratory1
PHY 104General Physics Laboratory1
PHY 201Fields and Waves3
PHY 203Foundations of Modern Physics3
PHY 231Experimental Foundations Modern Physics1
PHY 303Classical Electromagnetic Theory I3
PHY 307Quantum Mechanics I3
PHY 308Quantum Mechanics II3
PHY 311Electronics I4
PHY 321Analytical Mechanics I3
PHY 331Atomic & Nuclear Physics Laboratory1
PHY 333Computational Physics3
PHY 405Statistical Physics3
PHY 431Advanced Physics Laboratory1-3
or PHY 441 Research Projects in Physics
PHY 476Physics Capstone3
Major Support Requirements
MTH 145Calculus I4
MTH 146Calculus II4
MTH 245Calculus III4
MTH 304Differential Equations for Scientists And Engineers4
CHM 151Chemical Principles I3
Electives
Major Electives6
Technical Elective 23
Free Elective3
Total Credit Hours120
1

Some Core requirements may be fulfilled by major requirements.

2

See Technical Electives list below.

Technical Electives

Courses on this list required for a degree will not count twice as an elective.

CHM 151Chemical Principles I3
CHM 152Chemical Principles II3
CHM 327Physical Chemistry I3
CHM 328Physical Chemistry II3
CHM 331Physical Chemistry Laboratory1
CHM 332Physical Chemistry II Laboratory1
CSC 175Introduction to Algorithms and Program Design4
ENG 397Writing Nonfiction: the Art of Writing Short,Writing Nonfiction: Pop Culture3
MTH 261Linear Algebra3
MTH 312Mathematical Statistics3
MTH 332Real Analysis4
MTH 303Differential Equations and Mathematical Modeling3
MTH 341Abstract Algebra3
MTH 361Modern Geometry3
MTH 421Numerical Methods3
MTH 481Topology3
ESS 205Physical Geology4
PHL 362Theory of Knowledge3
MTH 335Intro to Complex Variables3
CSC 281Discrete Mathematics3
PHL 311Introduction to Formal Logic3
PHL 369The Experience of Time3
PHL 364Philosophy of Science3
PHL 352Digital Technology & Ways of Knowing3
AST 101The Solar System3
AST 102Stars, Galaxies, and the Universe3
PHS 275Photography and Photometry3
PSC 340Science, Technology, & the Good Society3
REL 318Religion and Science3
PHY 3XX/4XXUpper-level physics electives

Other courses not on the above list may also be approved as technical electives by the department chair. For students in the bachelors-masters engineering program with Syracuse University, many engineering courses at Syracuse University will qualify.

Plan of Study Grid
Freshman Year
First SemesterCredit Hours
WRT 101 Critical Writing 3
HST 110 World Civilization I 3
MTH 145 Calculus I 4
PHY 105 General Physics Scientists/Engineers I 3
PHY 103 General Physics Laboratory 1
COR 100 First Year Seminars: Transitions 3
 Credit Hours17
Second Semester
PHL 110 Introduction to Philosophy 3
HST 111 World Civilization II 3
MTH 146 Calculus II 4
PHY 106 General Physics Scientists/Engineers II 3
PHY 104 General Physics Laboratory 1
 Credit Hours14
Sophomore Year
First Semester
PHL 210 Moral Philosophy 3
PHY 201 Fields and Waves 3
PHY 311 Electronics I 4
MTH 245 Calculus III 4
EAC Encountering Another Culture/Language 3
 Credit Hours17
Second Semester
ENG 210 Major Authors 3
PHY 203 Foundations of Modern Physics 3
PHY 231 Experimental Foundations Modern Physics 1
PHY 321 Analytical Mechanics I 3
MTH 304 Differential Equations for Scientists And Engineers 4
EAC Encountering Another Culture/Language 3
 Credit Hours17
Junior Year
First Semester
PHY 307 Quantum Mechanics I 3
PHY 331 Atomic & Nuclear Physics Laboratory 1
CHM 151 Chemical Principles I 3
CHM 151L Chemical Principles I Laboratory 1
IDS Interdisciplinary Studies 3
ENG 310 Literature and Culture 3
 Credit Hours14
Second Semester
PHY 308 Quantum Mechanics II 3
PHY 333 Computational Physics 3
PHY 431 Advanced Physics Laboratory 1
Theology 3
Technical Elective 3
 Credit Hours13
Senior Year
First Semester
PHY 303 Classical Electromagnetic Theory I 3
PHY 476 Physics Capstone 3
Religion 3
PHY Elective 3
Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Second Semester
COR 400 Senior Studies: Transformations 3
PHY 405 Statistical Physics 3
PHY Elective 3
Social Science 3
VPA Visual & Performing Arts 1
 Credit Hours13
 Total Credit Hours120

Most PHY 300- and PHY 400-level courses, except PHY 311 Electronics IPHY 331 Atomic & Nuclear Physics LaboratoryPHY 431 Advanced Physics Laboratory, and PHY 476 Physics Capstone, are offered in alternate years, so students graduating in odd-numbered years follow a program in which the third and fourth years of PHY courses are interchanged.