Physics

Bachelor of Science Degree

Introduction

Physics is the study of how the physical world behaves at the most fundamental level. It develops quantitative models to explain the interaction of matter and the many interesting states of matter that emerge from those interactions. These include everything from fundamental particles like quarks, protons, and electrons to cosmological structures like black holes and the Universe. Physics discovery provides numerous theoretical foundations and frameworks for modern technology. In addition to establishing the core of traditional engineering disciplines, Physics supports the  contemporary developments in new areas such as AI, superconductors, robotics, and quantum computing.

The SUNY Poly physics program is designed to prepare students for careers in physics and related fields.  Our students develop highly transferable skills — analytical thinking, computational fluency, creative problem-solving ability, effective teamwork, and strong communication, making them excellent problem solvers, conscientious workers, and deep thinkers, suitable for leadership positions in many fields. The physics program opens a wide range of opportunities for the graduates, including graduate studies in physics and engineering, and joining high demand R&D jobs in technology, medicine, finance and consulting.

Faculty

Our faculty are dedicated to providing a quality education in classroom instruction, mentoring and research guidance. They have broad interests and rich experiences in their teaching and research areas which will enable students to develop solid foundations in the subject, and to specialize in specific fields including particle physics, condensed matter, astrophysics and gravitation.

Laboratories and Facilities

Most of the lower-division physics courses include a 3 hour lab session per week. The physics laboratories provide a unique experience for students to develop scientific methodology, data and error analysis, experiment design, and scientific communication. Our physics laboratories are equipped with standard equipment for experiments in classical mechanics, electromagnetism, thermodynamics, optics and modern physics. Students will have the opportunity to carry out various experiments to visualize the science discoveries from Newton’s time to the present.  Our laboratories are equipped with professional data analysis software for students to learn hands-on  technical data analysis.

Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Describe and explain the fundamental laws and theorems of physics in subjects such as classical mechanics, electromagnetism and optics, thermodynamics and statistical physics, and quantum mechanics.
  2. Connect observations of physical systems with the appropriate fundamental laws and theorems in physics and apply these tools to solve physics problems.
  3. Express physical systems and their observables with mathematical language and apply the corresponding mathematical skills, such as calculus, vectors and tensors, complex analysis and differential equations, to solve physics problems analytically and numerically.
  4. Use computer programming to develop tools for the numerical investigation of physical systems.
  5. Use modern and traditional laboratory equipment, including data-acquisition software, to calibrate measuring devices and collect, process, analyze and present experimental data according to professional physics standards.
  6. Present scientific results verbally and in writing according to professional standards.

Degree Requirements (124 credits)

To earn a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in physics  a student must fulfill the following: The structure of the degree program will require completing fourteen core courses (10 theory courses and 4 laboratory courses, 40 credits). Generally, nine to twelve of these courses will be completed by the end of the sophomore year. The major requires an additional 16 credits of elective course work in physics beyond the core courses. All of these courses will need to be completed typically during the junior and senior years.

Students will also be required to complete general education courses as outlined by the N.Y.S. Board of Regents, many of which may also be completed by the end of their second year in the program. Students are also required to fulfill the graduation requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences, including writing courses.

Additional elective courses in physics or in other academic areas will complete the 124 credit hour degree requirement for the B. S. Degree in Physics.

B.S. in Physics—124 total credits

Students shall satisfy the requirements listed below.

I. SUNY General Education Requirements (30 credits)

All SUNY students must satisfy the following requirements.

No fewer than 30 credits must be attained from the SUNY approved General Education Course List with the following provisions:

  • Communication (written and oral)
  • Mathematics (and quantitative reasoning)
  • Natural Sciences (and scientific reasoning)
  • Diversity: Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice

At least three (3) out of the following six (6) SUNY General Education categories:

  • Social Sciences
  • US History and Civic Engagement
  • World History and Global Awareness
  • Humanities
  • The Arts
  • Foreign Languages

NOTE: You may take more than one course in a given category to complete this 30-credit hour requirement, but you must also satisfy the appropriate number of categories.

II. Liberal Arts/Sciences Requirements (no fewer than 30 credits)

The New York State Education Department (SED) requires a student earning a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree to attain no fewer than 60 credits of combined SUNY General Education and Liberal Arts/Sciences courses. There may be overlap (*) between courses meeting the SUNY General Education Requirements, SUNY Poly Degree Requirements, Liberal Arts/Sciences Requirements, and Program courses; but a student may receive course credits only once even if multiple requirements are satisfied by a single course. The total number of combined credit hours must be no fewer than 60 credits.

SUNY Poly degree requirements:

  • Natural Sciences – one course which may be a General Education Natural Science course (fulfilled by PHY201T/L & PHY202T/L)
  • Upper-Division Writing Course: See the Catalog descriptions for COM courses to find specific courses to satisfy this requirement.

Liberals Arts/Sciences Electives (remainder of credits)

Note: The 60 credits are automatically fulfilled if the courses in the major requirement are completed.

III. Major requirement

Core Coursework (40 credits)

  • PHY 180 Physics Workshop (4)
  • PHY 201T/L Calculus Based Physics I (Theory and Lab) (3+1)
  • PHY 202T/L Calculus Based Physics II (Theory and Lab) (3+1)
  • PHY 203T/L Calculus Based Physics III (Theory and Lab) (3+1)
  • PHY 304 Calculus Based Physics IV (4)
  • PHY 351T/L Modern Physics (Theory and Lab) (3+1)
  • PHY 361 Intermediate Mechanics I (4)
  • PHY 371 Electromagnetism I (4)
  • PHY 381 Quantum Mechanics I (4)
  • PHY 442 Thermal Physics (4)

Program Electives (16 credits)

  • PHY 290 Special Topics in Physics (4)
  • PHY 390 Special Topics in Physics (4)
  • PHY 462 Intermediate Mechanics II (4)
  • PHY 472 Electromagnetism II (4)
  • PHY 482 Quantum Mechanics II (4)
  • PHY 490 Special Topics in Physics (4)
  • PHY 491 Independent Study (1-4)

Additional requirements in Physics majors (26 credits)

  • MAT 151 Calculus I (4)
  • MAT 152 Calculus II (4)
  • MAT 253 Calculus III (4)
  • MAT 240 Linear Algebra (3)
  • MAT 260 Ordinary Differential Equations and Series Solutions (3)
  • MAT 460 Numerical Differential Equations (4)
  • CS 108 Computing Fundamentals (4)

**MAT 151 and 152 have a prerequisite of MAT 120 Precalculus but it can be fulfilled by the placement test or high school credit

IV. Unrestricted Electives (remainder of credits)

All students must achieve a minimum of a “C” grade in all major courses (core and track/electives) and a minimum of 2.0 overall grade point average in order to graduate. You must have 30 credits in upper division (300 and 400 level) courses; in addition to the core requirements, you will need at least one program or unrestricted elective at the upper division level to meet that total.

NOTE: Core courses may fulfill general education and/or liberal arts requirements; consult SUNY Poly course catalog for specific general education categories.

NOTE: Courses with a “T/L” designation are equivalent to courses taken prior to fall 2016 with the same course number (e.g., PHY 201T/L = PHY 201).

This program requires first-year students to purchase a laptop for use in classes and labs. The faculty feel that laptops are an important tool for a student’s education.