Physics Bachelor of Science degree

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Physics

The requirements for a B.S. in Physics include the core courses listed below and one of the Tracks I-IV. For a B.S. in Physics Adolescence Education, students must complete the core courses and Track VII.

Physics Core:

and supporting math\CSIT courses:

Track I – Theoretical Emphasis

Plus 6 additional credit hours of physics from 321-479, 490

Plus 12 additional credit hours of science, mathematics, computer science, engineering, or education. Recommended courses include MATH 231 and CHEM 115-CHEM 116 (with CHEM 125- CHEM 126).

Track II – Experimental Emphasis

or

Experimental Physics Project (independent study or tutorial) Plus 4 additional credit hours of physics from 321-479, 490

Plus 12 additional credit hours of science, mathematics, computer science, engineering, or education. CHEM 115- CHEM 116 (with CHEM 125- CHEM 126) is strongly recommended. STAT 250 or STAT 350 and MATH 231 are recommended.

Track III – Computational Emphasis

Computational Physics Project (independent study or tutorial)

Plus 4 additional credit hours of physics from 321-479, 490

Plus the following courses:

STAT 350 is recommended

Track IV – Physics with Cooperative Engineering

Plus 12 additional credit hours of science, mathematics, computer science, engineering, or education, including at least one additional course from PHYS 322 through 328 and 340/341 as advised. Students interested in electrical engineering should take PHYS 323 and PHYS 324 while students interested in non-electrical engineering should take PHYS 322. CHEM 115- CHEM 116 (w/CHEM 125- CHEM 126) is strongly recommended and required by most engineering schools.

Note: Affiliated engineering institutions may have additional requirements for courses and/or grades.

Track V – Physics with Pre-law

This track is excellent preparation for the expanding field of patent and intellectual property law, which requires substantial technical and mathematical knowledge in order to sit for the required licensing exam.

Plus 9 additional credit hours of physics from 321-479

Plus the following courses:

and

CHEM 115 - CHEM 116 (w/CHEM 125 - CHEM 126) are recommended.

In fulfilling College Core Curriculum requirements, students are advised to take ECON 201 or ECON 202 and PSY 129.

Track VI – Physics with Pre-med/Biophysics

Physics majors are highly sought by medical schools, because mathematical and problem-solving abilities stressed in physics are more than ever needed in today's medical fields. Due to their relative rarity, physics majors stand out in the applicant pool. Sufficient time is allotted to take the biology and chemistry courses required by most medical schools and needed to prepare for the MCAT exam. The program may also be followed by students preparing for graduate school in biophysics or related fields.

Plus the following courses:

In fulfilling College Core Curriculum requirements, students are advised to take an English course in addition to ENGL 100, and also PSY 129. If time permits, BIOL 333 Biochemistry and BIOL 338 Microbiology are also recommended.

Note: Students are allowed to double major in Physics and Industrial Management, even though these two programs are housed in the same academic department.

Track VII – Physics Adolescence (Secondary) Education

Plus 6 additional credit hours of physics from 311, 321-479, 490

Plus the following courses:

The procedure to be followed for admission to the professional sequence of courses is described in the Education section of the catalog.

Candidates in all education programs are required to demonstrate competence in a foreign language. This requirement must be satisfied in any one of the following ways:

• Score of 85 percent or higher on New York State Regents Exam (or local equivalent). Requirement is fulfilled.
• Scores of 65 percent - 84 percent on High School N.Y.S. Regents Exam (or local equivalent): Student needs to take an Elementary I level course or an Elementary II level course of a language or equivalent course(s) or successfully complete an equivalent SUNY Fredonia proficiency exam.
• Scores below 65 percent on High School N.Y.S. Regents Exam (or local equivalent) or if student did not take a N.Y.S. Regents or local Exam: Student needs to take an Elementary I level course and an Elementary II level course of the same language or equivalent.

The General Education foreign language requirement differs from the certification requirement and must be satisfied for degree conferral.

Notes:

Tracks I-VI will result in a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics, Track VII a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics Adolescence Education.

A 2.0 GPA in the set of all physics courses used to satisfy the major plus the four required math courses is required for graduation. Physics Adolescence Education must satisfy additional grade and portfolio requirements for graduation. Interested students should contact the chair of the physics department for current requirements.