Physics Major (BS)

Description

Physics is the study of the physical properties of the universe and of the fundamental properties and interactions of matter and energy. Physicists work to understand why and how things work, addressing questions ranging from how the efficiency of a solar panel can be improved to why the expansion of the universe is accelerating. Physics underlies and has applications in the pure sciences – astronomy, chemistry, biology, earth science – and applied sciences, such as engineering, optics, and materials science.

Physics majors take a wide variety of courses that develop technical and essential skills, including problem-solving, instrumentation, data analysis, teamwork and communicating results. Graduates who enter the job market immediately find their knowledge and skills, particularly any specialized training gained through research experiences, are strong selling points. A physics degree is also excellent preparation for graduate or professional school, and recent graduates have pursued advanced degrees in physics, astronomy, applied math, engineering, and medicine.

Admission to the Program

Any undergraduate student can declare this major.

Program Requirements

Students in the physics major pursue a Bachelor of Science degree, and must complete the corresponding degree’s requirements.

Because of the sequential nature of the study of physics, students should meet with the department’s advisement coordinator as soon as possible to declare the major, be assigned a departmental advisor, and plan an academic program.

General Education Requirements (24-30 credits)

  • ENG 112 College Composition (Q) (3 credits)

B. S. Physics

Required Courses (31 credits)

Physics Elective Courses (6 credits)

Two physics courses selected from

  • PHS 362 Solid State Physics
  • PHS 363 Astrophysics
  • PHS 364 Semiconductor Device Physics
  • PHS 365 Optics

An upper division (300-400 level) course from BIO, CHM, CSC, ESC, GEL, MET, or MTH may be substituted for one of these courses with departmental approval.

Cognate or Additional Requirements (31 credits)

Total Number of Credits: 68

Prerequisites (0-4 credits)

  • ENG 112* is a pre-requisite for PHS 308 and PHS 329.
  • MTH 122 (4 cr.) may be required depending on student’s high school record

* course is a general education requirement

Electives (18-28 credits)

Total Credits (120 credits)

B.S. Physics – Advanced track

Required Courses (35 credits)

Physics Elective Courses (12 credits)

Four physics courses selected from:

  • PHS 362 Solid State Physics
  • PHS 363 Astrophysics
  • PHS 364 Semiconductor Device Physics
  • PHS 365 Optics

An upper division (300-400 level) course from BIO, CHM, CSC, ESC, GEL, MET, or MTH may be substituted for one of these courses with departmental approval.

Cognate or Additional Requirements (31 credits)

  • MTH 201 Calculus I
  • MTH 202 Calculus II
  • MTH 203 Calculus III
  • MTH 255 Differential Equations
  • CHM 205 College Chemistry I
  • CHM 206 College Chemistry II
  • CSC 120 Introduction to Computing
  • CSC 203 Problem Solving with Objects

Total Number of Credits: 78

Prerequisites (0-4 credits)

  • ENG 112* is a pre-requisite for PHS 308 and PHS 329
  • MTH 122 (4 cr.) may be required depending on student’s high school record

* course is a general education requirement

Electives (8-18 credits)

Total Credits (120 credits)

Additional Degree Requirements

For both the standard major and the Advanced track

  1. Physics majors are required to pass both PHS 332 and MTH 255 with a minimum grade of “C.”
  2. A minimum overall GPA of 2.0 in all required major courses (Major Departmental Requirements).
  3. Completion of all university-wide degree requirements, including Academic Planning Seminar (0-3 credits)

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completing the undergraduate physics curriculum at SUNY Brockport, students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate competency in applying the basic laws of physics.
    1. Core topics (classical and quantum mechanics, electricity and magnetism, thermodynamics and statistical mechanics)
    2. Applications (solid state physics, semiconductor physics, optics, astrophysics, etc.)
    3. Fundamental themes (conservation laws, particle nature of matter, waves, etc.)
  2. Demonstrate instrumentation competency.
    1. Students will collect data with software tools such as LabVIEW and Arduino programing.
  3. Demonstrate software competency.
    1. Students will use industry-standard software and coding tools such as Excel, Mathematica, Python or C++ for design, modeling, or analysis in the course of solving problems.
  4. Demonstrate data analytics competency.
    1. Students will analyze data, including statistics and uncertainty analysis, and prepare tables and charts to support conclusions.
  5. Communicate scientific concepts and the results of scientific research both orally and in writing.
  6. Demonstrate familiarity with workplace concepts and professional skills
    1. Students will demonstrate their grasp of concepts and skills such as: project management, adapting to unforeseen problems, completing work in a timely manner, working collegially in teams, best-practices with respect to safety, and properly assessing one’s skills as related to a specific project.

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