The Bachelor of Science with a Physics major is designed for students who wish to pursue professional or graduate work in physics or a related area. Students in this major can choose between three tracks.
- The professional track provides a strong foundation for graduate work.
- The industrial physics track prepares students for careers in industry that require a strong background in physics. The first three years of the industrial physics track mirrors the first three years of the Engineering Transfer Program.
- The earth and space science track provides a strong base for future study in one or more of the Earth and space sciences (astronomy, geology, meteorology and oceanography).
For official information, go to the physics section in the ESU undergraduate catalog.
What can I do with this major?
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Students must obtain a minimum of a C in each course below with at least 9 credits in PHYS, 300-level or above, taken at ESU.
Common Curriculum
All three tracks share the same common curriculum as follows:
| Rubric |
Course Title |
Credits |
| PHYS161 |
Physics I |
4 |
| PHYS162 |
Physics II |
4 |
| PHYS261 |
Physics III |
3 |
| PHYS361 |
Physics IV |
3 |
| PHYS328 |
Mathematical Physics |
3 |
| PHYS333 or 334 |
Advanced Lab I or II |
3 |
| PHYS431 |
E&M Theory I |
4 |
| PHYS495 |
Seminar |
1 |
| CHEM121/123 |
Gen. Chemistry I/lab |
4 |
| MATH140 |
Calculus I |
4 |
| MATH141 |
Calculus II |
4 |
| MATH240 |
Multivariate Calculus |
4 |
Recommended: CHEM124, 126; MATH110 (or 311), 320, 341
Professional Track
The Professional track has the following requirements in addition to those listed in the common curriculum:
| Rubric |
Course Title |
Credits |
| PHYS401 |
Quantum Physics |
3 |
| PHYS441 |
Theoretical Mechanics |
3 |
| PHYS411 or 421 |
Thermodynamics or Statistic Physics |
3 |
2 or more of PHYS404, 415, 428,
432, 433 and 471 |
|
3
3 |
| 300-level or above in PHYS* |
|
3 |
Note: *300-level or above elective must be approved by advisor
The Industrial Physics track has the following requirements in addition to those listed in the common curriculum:
| Rubric |
Course Title |
Credits |
| PHYS111 |
Eng. Graphics |
2 |
| PHYS201 |
Statics |
3 |
| PHYS202 |
Dynamics |
3 |
| PHYS240 |
Basic Electronics |
4 |
| PHYS415 |
Computational Physics |
3 |
| PHYS493 |
Research |
3 |
3 from PHYS301*, 403*, 411, 421,
423*, 428, 432*, 433, 441, 471;
CHEM 371* |
|
3
3
3 |
| BIOL114 |
Intro. Biology I |
4 |
| ECON111 or 112 |
Macro or Micro Economics |
3 |
| ENGL204 |
Tech. Writing |
3 |
| CMST111 |
Speech |
3 |
*At least two must come from the asterisked list
Earth and Space Science Track
The Earth and Space Science track has the following requirements in addition to those listed in the common curriculum:
| Rubric |
Course Title |
Credits |
| PHYS121 |
Astronomy I |
3 |
| PHYS122 |
Astronomy II |
3 |
| PHYS124 |
Observational Astronomy Lab |
1 |
| PHYS304 |
Modern Physical Astronomy |
3 |
| PHYS305 |
Physics of the Atmosphere |
3 |
| PHYS415 |
Computational Physics |
3 |
| 300-level or above in ESPS* |
|
3 |
| BIOL114 |
Intro. Biology I |
4 |
| BIOL474 |
Oceanography |
3 |
| GEOG121 |
Physical Geology |
3 |
| GEOG220 |
Meteorology |
3 |
*300-level or above elective must be approved by advisor
All students must also complete the University's General Education curriculum.
Return to Physics Department homepage.
Last Updated: July 2008
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