Physics - B.S. Degree

Physics Department

Office:  150 Houghton Hall 

(716) 673-3301

Erica Simoson, Chairperson

Email: Physics.Department@fredonia.edu

Major Requirements

The requirements for a B.S. in Physics include the Physics Core and an emphasis chosen from: Theoretical, Experimental or Physics with Cooperative Engineering

Physics Core

PHYS 230University Physics I

4

PHYS 232University Physics I Lab

1

PHYS 231University Physics II

4

PHYS 233University Physics II Lab

1

PHYS 234Modern Physics

4

PHYS 330Thermodynamics

3

PHYS 400Undergraduate Seminar

1

PHYS 425Mathematical Physics I

3

PHYS 431Introduction to Quantum Mechanics

3

Total Credit Hours:24

Supporting Courses

MATH 122University Calculus I

4

MATH 123University Calculus II

4

MATH 223University Calculus III

4

MATH 224Differential Equations

3

CSIT 106Scientific Programming Using C/C++

3

or

CSIT 121Computer Science I

3

Total Credit Hours:18

Areas of Emphasis (select one)

Theoretical

PHYS 331Theoretical Mechanics

3

PHYS 333Electricity and Magnetism

3

PHYS 426Mathematical Physics II

3

Physics from 321-479, 490

6

Science, mathematics, computer science, engineering, or education

12

Total Credit Hours:27

NOTE:

Experimental

PHYS 333Electricity and Magnetism

3

PHYS 340Optics

3

PHYS 341Optics Laboratory

1

PHYS 426Mathematical Physics II

3

PHYS 450Advanced 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

NOTE:

Physics with Cooperative Engineering

PHYS 321Engineering Statics

3

PHYS 426Mathematical Physics II

3

PHYS 331Theoretical Mechanics

3

or

PHYS 333Electricity and Magnetism

3

PHYS 323Circuit Analysis

4

or

PHYS 325Electronics

3

PHYS 327Electronics Lab

1

or

PHYS 326Digital Logic

3

PHYS 328Digital Lab

1

12 additional credit hours (see note below)

12

Total Credit Hours:27

NOTE:

  • Twelve (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.

Total Credit Hours: 69