Physics Bachelor of Science
Requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Physics
The requirements for a B.S. in Physics include the core courses listed below and one of the Tracks I-IV. For a B.S. in Physics Adolescence Education, students must complete the core courses and Track VII.
Physics Core:
Supporting math\CSIT courses:
Track I – Theoretical Emphasis
| PHYS 331 | Theoretical Mechanics | 3 |
| PHYS 333 | Electricity and Magnetism | 3 |
| PHYS 426 | Mathematical Physics II | 3 |
| Physics from 321-479, 490 | 6 |
| Science, mathematics, computer science, engineering, or education | 12 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 27 |
Track II – Experimental Emphasis
| PHYS 333 | Electricity and Magnetism | 3 |
| PHYS 340 | Optics | 3 |
| PHYS 341 | Optics Laboratory | 1 |
| PHYS 426 | Mathematical Physics II | 3 |
| PHYS 450 | Advanced Laboratory | 1 |
| or | |
| Experimental Physics Project (independent study or tutorial) | |
| Physics from 321-479, 490 | 4 |
| Science, mathematics, computer science, engineering, or education | 12 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 27 |
Track III – Computational Emphasis
| PHYS 331 | Theoretical Mechanics | 3 |
| PHYS 333 | Electricity and Magnetism | 3 |
| PHYS 426 | Mathematical Physics II | 3 |
| Computational Physics Project (independent study or tutorial) | |
| Plus 4 additional credit hours of physics from 321-479, 490 | |
| Total Credit Hours: | 13 |
Plus the following courses:
Track IV – Physics with Cooperative Engineering
NOTE: 12 additional credit hours of science, mathematics, computer science, engineering, or education, including at least one additional course from PHYS 322 through 328 and PHYS 340 - PHYS 341 as advised. Students interested in electrical engineering should take PHYS 323 and PHYS 324 while students interested in non-electrical engineering should take PHYS 322.
CHEM 115 and CHEM 116 (with CHEM 125 and CHEM 126) is strongly recommended and required by most engineering schools.
Affiliated engineering institutions may have additional requirements for courses and/or grades.
Track V – Physics with Pre-law
This track is excellent preparation for the expanding field of patent and intellectual property law, which requires substantial technical and mathematical knowledge in order to sit for the required licensing exam.
| PHYS 340 | Optics | 3 |
| PHYS 341 | Optics Laboratory | 1 |
| Physics from 321-479 | 9 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 13 |
Plus the following courses:
Track VI – Physics with Pre-med/Biophysics
Physics majors are highly sought by medical schools, because mathematical and problem-solving abilities stressed in physics are more than ever needed in today's medical fields. Due to their relative rarity, physics majors stand out in the applicant pool. Sufficient time is allotted to take the biology and chemistry courses required by most medical schools and needed to prepare for the MCAT exam. The program may also be followed by students preparing for graduate school in biophysics or related fields.
Plus the following courses:
| CHEM 115 | General Chemistry Lecture I | 3 |
| CHEM 125 | General Chemistry Laboratory I | 1 |
| CHEM 116 | General Chemistry Lecture II | 3 |
| CHEM 126 | General Chemistry Laboratory II | 1 |
| BIOL 131 | Introductory Ecology and Evolution | 3 |
| BIOL 132 | Introductory Ecology and Evolution Laboratory | 1 |
| BIOL 133 | IntroductoryCell and Molecular Biology | 3 |
| BIOL 134 | Introductory Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory | 1 |
| BIOL 237 | Genetics | 3 |
| BIOL 238 | Genetics Laboratory | 1 |
| BIOL 336 | Mammalian Physiology | 3 |
| BIOL 337 | Mammalian Physiology Lab | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 24 |
In fulfilling College Core Curriculum requirements, students are advised to take an English course in addition to ENGL 100, and also PSY 129. If time permits, BIOL 333 Biochemistry and BIOL 338 Microbiology are also recommended.
Note: Students are allowed to double major in Physics and Industrial Management, even though these two programs are housed in the same academic department.
The procedure to be followed for admission to the professional sequence of courses is described in the Education section of the catalog.
Candidates in all education programs are required to demonstrate competence in a foreign language. This requirement must be satisfied in any one of the following ways:
- Score of 85 percent or higher on New York State Regents Exam or New York State High School Equivalent Exam*: Requirement is fulfilled.
- Scores of 65 percent - 84 percent on New York State Regents Exam or New York State High School Equivalent Exam*: Student needs to take an Elementary I level course or an Elementary II level course of a language or equivalent course(s), or successfully complete an equivalent Fredonia proficiency exam.
- Scores below 65 percent on New York State Regents Exam or New York State High School Equivalent Exam*: Student needs to take an Elementary I level course and an Elementary II level course or equivalent course(s) of the same language.
- If student did not take a New York State Regents Exam or New York State High School Equivalent Exam*: Student needs to take an Elementary I level course and an Elementary II level course or equivalent course(s) of the same language.
Note: The General Education foreign language requirement differs from the certification requirement and must be satisfied for degree conferral.
* High School Equivalent Exam refers to a New York State Local School District Exam or Regional Exam in a Foreign Language.
The General Education foreign language requirement differs from the certification requirement and must be satisfied for degree conferral.
As of December 31, 2013, candidates in all education programs are required to complete training under the Dignity for All Students Act (DASA). Beginning in the Fall 2013 semester, the training required under the Dignity for All Student Act (DASA) will be included in EDU 303 at Fredonia. Undergraduate candidates planning to graduate after Fall 2013 who have already completed EDU 303 on campus or taken a workshop as a substitution for EDU 303 must also complete the EDU DASA workshop prior to graduation.
Notes:
Tracks I-VI will result in a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics, Track VII a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics Adolescence Education.
A 2.0 GPA in the set of all physics courses used to satisfy the major plus the four required math courses is required for graduation. Physics Adolescence Education must satisfy additional grade and portfolio requirements for graduation. Interested students should contact the chair of the physics department for current requirements.