Students wishing to study Engineering are also supported by the department.  For more information, please consult the Applied Physics major (Dual Degree, Pre-Engineering Program).

Major in Physics (BA): 8 courses  

• PHY53-154 Fundamentals of Physics I
• PHY53-164 Fundamentals of Physics II
• PHY53-214 Modern Physics
• PHY53-324 Electromagnetism I
• PHY53-334 Classical Mechanics I
• PHY53-872 Capstone Course
• Two courses from:
  PHY53-254 Observing the Universe
  PHY53-364 Fundamentals of Materials Science and Engineering
  PHY53-404 Electronics
  PHY53-413 Classical Mechanics II
  PHY53-424 Quantum Mechanics
  PHY53-433 Electromagnetism II
  PHY53-434 Statics
  PHY53-454 Math Methods in Physical Science
  PHY53-463 Dynamics
  PHY53-473 Thermodynamics

Required supporting courses in the BA major: 3 courses

• MAT52-164 Modern Calculus I
• MAT52-264 Modern Calculus II
• MAT52-364 Modern Calculus III, or MAT52-754 Differential Equations 

Major in Physics (BS): 10 courses

• PHY53-154 Fundamentals of Physics I
• PHY53-164 Fundamentals of Physics II
• PHY53-214 Modern Physics
• PHY53-324 Electromagnetism I
• PHY53-334 Classical Mechanics I
• PHY53-424 Quantum Mechanics
• PHY53-872 Capstone Course
• Three courses from:
  PHY53-254 Observing the Universe
  PHY53-364 Fundamentals of Materials Science and Engineering
  PHY53-404 Electronics
  PHY53-413 Classical Mechanics II
  PHY53-433 Electromagnetism II
  PHY53-434 Statics
  PHY53-454 Math Methods in Physical Science
  PHY53-463 Dynamics
  PHY53-473 Thermodynamics  

Required supporting courses in the BS major: 6 courses

• BIO50-173/171 Molecular and Cellular Foundations of Biology/lab, or
  BIO50-183/181 Evolutionary and Ecological Foundations of Biology/lab
• CHE51-103/101 General Chemistry I/Chemical Methods and Techniques Laboratory I
• MAT52-164 Modern Calculus I
• MAT52-264 Modern Calculus II
• MAT52-364 Modern Calculus III
• MAT52-754 Differential Equations

Note: Sufficient advanced mathematics for a mathematics minor is highly recommended.

Note: Each department at SU is required to provide a “capstone experience” for their majors. Past physics capstones have included experimental, observational and theoretical research in physics or a physics-related topic. Research has been carried out at SU, at off-campus REU programs and in industry. The detailed structure of the physics capstone experience is contractually agreed upon between the students and their capstone advisors. Generally, there are three components to the
physics capstone: 1) the actual research work, 2) the writing of a significant paper on the research work and 3) an oral public presentation about the research work. Students seeking college credit for the research component of their capstone experience may (after consultation with their capstone advisor) sign up for Academic Internship (Physics 53-941, 942, 943, 944) or Independent Study and Research (Physics 53-951, 952, 953, 954). Regardless of whether the research phase of the capstone is done for credit the capstone course Physics 53-872 is required. It is a scientific writing course (see description below) that helps the student prepare both the capstone paper and oral presentation.

Minor in Physics: 5 courses  

• PHY53-154 Fundamentals of Physics I
• PHY53-164 Fundamentals of Physics II
• PHY53-214 Modern Physics
• Two electives from:
  PHY53-254 Observing the Universe
  PHY53-324 Electromagnetism I
  PHY53-334 Classical Mechanics I
  PHY53-364 Fundamentals of Materials Science and Engineering
  PHY53-404 Electronics
  PHY53-413 Classical Mechanics II
  PHY53-424 Quantum Mechanics
  PHY53-433 Electromagnetism II
  PHY53-434 Statics
  PHY53-454 Math Methods in Physical Science
  PHY53-463 Dynamics
  PHY53-473 Thermodynamics.