Physics (B.S., B.A.)
At-a-Glance
Minimum hours required for B.A. major: 76
Minimum hours required for B.S. major: 68
Minimum hours required for minor: 18
Advising: Call Dr. Kaufman (216) 687-2436 or Dr. Walker (216) 687-2424
A major or minor in physics will help you prepare for a wide range of careers in product development, research, teaching, and many other fields where you combine your knowledge of physics with other disciplines. The Physics Department offers you a choice of three undergraduate programs to suit your particular goals, interests and strengths:
Bachelor of Science: preparation for technical careers in industry and research centers and for graduate studies
Bachelor of Science Honors: preparation for careers in research and for doctoral studies in physics
Bachelor of Arts: preparation for careers in applied (engineering) physics, computer science, education, medicine, law, technical sales, scientific journalism or other fields where analytic skills and broad understanding of physics are important. Students majoring in Engineering or in Computer and Information Science (CIM and CIS calculus based; physics option) can earn the B.A. in Physics as an additional degree with a modest increase in course requirements.
Physics Minor: provides students majoring in other technical fields with additional skills, thus broadening their career options.
Major-Field Requirements
Major-Field Requirements for B.S. in Physics
- the following required physics courses: PHY 243, PHY 244, PHY 330, PHY 340, PHY 350, PHY 440, PHY 450, PHY 455, PHY 474, PHY 475;
- at least 10 credits of technical electives to be selected from 300- and 400-level courses in physics, chemistry, mathematics, or engineering approved by the physics adviser;
- the following required mathematics and computer science courses: MTH 181, MTH 182, MTH 281, CIS 260.
Major-Field Requirements for B.S. Honors in Physics
- the following required physics courses: PHY 243, PHY 244, PHY 330, PHY 340, PHY 350, PHY 440, PHY 450, PHY 455, PHY 474, PHY 475;
- at least 10 credits from: PHY395 (Seminar), PHY441 (Quantum Mechanics II), PHY493 (at least 2 credit hours of research with written and oral presentations);
- the following required mathematics and computer science courses: MTH 181, MTH 182, MTH 281, CIS 260;
- Cumulative grade-point average, upon graduation, of 3.20 or higher in PHY and MTH courses. A student who does not achieve this, but meets all the requirements for the B.S. degree in Physics, will receive that degree instead.
Major-Field Requirements for B.A. in Physics are:
- the following required physics courses: PHY 243, PHY 244, PHY 330, PHY 474;
- 16 credits of physics electives to be selected from the following list: PHY 201, PHY 202, and all the 300- and 400-level physics courses;
- the following required mathematics and computer science courses: MTH 181, MTH 182, MTH 281 or (MTH 220 and MTH 284), CIS 260;
- introductory sequence of chemistry with associated laboratory courses (CHM 261, CHM 262, CHM 266, CHM 267),
or introductory sequence of biology with associated laboratory courses (BIO 200, BIO 201, BIO 202, BIO 203),
or the following computer and information science courses: CIS 265, and any other 4-credit-hour 300-level CIS course; - 16 upper-division credits in a coherent program from a different discipline such as biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, environmental science, education or engineering. Program must be approved by the Physics Department adviser.
Secondary Teacher Licensure
Students have the option of a single field licensure in physics, a dual field licensure in physical science and chemistry, or an integrated science licensure with a concentration in physics. All licensure programs require coursework from the College of Science and the College of Education and Human Services. Contact the Physics adviser for required science courses. Contact the Education Student Service Center for the education courses required for licensure or for information on the requirements for Post-Baccalaureate Secondary Teacher Licensure (216-687-4625 or Rhodes Tower 1401).