Physics, B.S.

This major requires an in-depth study of the core areas of physics and a selection of upper-division courses such as thermal physics, atomic and molecular physics, condensed matter physics, or other engineering electives. This program provides a solid preparation for graduate study in physics, materials science, or medical physics.

The Physics Department participates in the College of Arts and Sciences Professional Development Program. This program is integrated into your Physics Seminar course.

Grade Policies

For all students majoring or minoring in Physics Department programs:

  1. A grade of C- or higher must be earned in courses required for each major or minor, including required support courses for the major. A grade lower than C- requires that the course be repeated. In the case of an elective course for a major in which a grade below C- was earned, the student may petition to take an alternative course

  2. A cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 must be maintained in all department courses required of a major or minor.

  3. A cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 must be maintained in all support courses required of a major.

Dismissal Policy:  Students who earn a GPA below 2.0 in courses required for their major (including support courses) or minor for two consecutive semesters may be dismissed from their major or minor.

Program Learning Goals for the Physics (B.S.) Major

Students will:

  1. Demonstrate a solid understanding of the core principles and concepts of physics and gain understanding in selected additional advanced topics in physics.

  2. Apply mathematical, analytical, computational, and experimental skills to model the behavior of physical systems, solve a wide range of physics problems, design and conduct experiments to measure and interpret physical phenomena, and critically evaluate scientific results and arguments, both their own and those of others.

  3. Effectively communicate scientific hypotheses, research methods, data and analysis both orally and in writing and in a variety of venues.

  4. Be prepared to enter graduate school or employment appropriate to their chosen career path.

Major Requirements

48 credit hours:

PH1510

PHYSICS I

3

PH1511

PHYSICS WORKSHOP I

1

PH1520

PHYSICS II

3

PH1521

PHYSICS WORKSHOP II

1

PH2540

MODERN PHYSICS

3

PH3610

CLASSICAL MECHANICS

3

PH2710

PHYSICS SEMINAR I

0

PH3710

PHYSICS SEMINAR II

0

PH4910

SENIOR RESEARCH OR DESIGN PROJECT

2

PH4760

QUANTUM PHYSICS

3

EP2560

MATHEMATICAL METHODS OF PHYSICS AND ENGINEERING

3

or

MT2340

INTRODUCTION TO DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS

3

EP2510

ENGINEERING PHYSICS APPLICATIONS I

3

EP2540

COMPUTATION IN PHYSICS & ENGINEERING

3

EP2520

DC/AC CIRCUITS

3

EP2521

DC/AC CIRCUITS LABORATORY

1

EP3540

THERMODYNAMICS

3

EP3560

EXPERIMENTAL METHODS FOR ENGINEERING PHYSICS

3

EP3520

ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS

4

Plus 6 credit hours of upper-division technical electives approved by the physics department (normally PH, EP, MT, or CS courses).

Subtotal: 48

Required Support Courses

MT1350

CALCULUS AND ANALYTIC GEOMETRY I

4

MT1360

CALCULUS AND ANALYTIC GEOMETRY II

4

MT2330

CALCULUS AND ANALYTIC GEOMETRY III

4

MT2420

INTRODUCTION TO LINEAR ALGEBRA

3

Plus one additional lecture/lab combination chosen from:

BL1500

PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY I

3

BL1505

PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY LABORATORY I

1


or


CH1410

GENERAL CHEMISTRY I

4

CH1430

GENERAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY I

1


or


CH1510

CHEMICAL PRINCIPLES

4

CH1530

CHEMICAL PRINCIPLES LABORATORY

1


or


CS1280

INTRODUCTION TO SOFTWARE APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT

3

CS1281

INTRODUCTION TO SOFTWARE APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT LABORATORY

1

Subtotal: 19-20

Note: For all B.S. programs, up to 8 hours of electives (up to 2 hours of lab credit) may be satisfied by courses in science or engineering offered at other colleges and universities participating in the Northeast Ohio Council on Higher Education Cross Registration Program (subject to approval by the physics department).

Total: 67-68