2017-18 Undergraduate Catalog

Dec 26, 2024

2017-18 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Physics [PHY]

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This Physics Department program is the traditional physics major found at institutions worldwide. Study includes a wide range of courses in physics and mathematics plus chemistry. This degree is necessary for those wishing to go on to graduate school and is also useful for those wishing to do technical work in a variety of disciplines.

Career Potential

Graduate study in physics
Industrial or governmental research
Scientific advisor
Technical support services

A. Required Courses in Physics: 39 credit hours

Three Physics electives taken at the 400 level or above

PHY 186 - Introductory Programming (3 cr. hr.)
PHY 201 - Principles of Physics I (4 cr. hr.)
PHY 202 - Principles of Physics II (4 cr. hr.)
PHY 203 - Principles of Physics III (3 cr. hr.)
PHY 357 - Intermediate Physics Laboratory (3 cr. hr.)
PHY 410 - Modern Physics (3 cr. hr.)
PHY 420 - Classical Mechanics (3 cr. hr.)
PHY 440 - Electronics (3 cr. hr.)
PHY 450 - Electricity and Magnetism (4 cr. hr.)

B. Required Related Courses: 29 credit hours

CHE 221 - General Chemistry I (4 cr. hr.)
CHE 222 - General Chemistry II (4 cr. hr.)
MAT 135 - Calculus I (4 cr. hr.)
MAT 236 - Calculus II (4 cr. hr.)
MAT 237 - Calculus III (4 cr. hr.)
MAT 425 - Methods of Applied Mathematics (3 cr. hr.)
MAT 430 - Differential Equations (3 cr. hr.)

Select Either:

MAT 272 - Linear Algebra (3 cr. hr.) or
MAT 446 - Probability and Statistics (3 cr. hr.)

Total Credit Hours Required for Graduation: 124

Example of the bachelor's degree in Physics over four years

General Education (GE); Foreign Language

First Year Fall

CHE 221 - General Chemistry I (4 cr. hr.)
CHE 224 - Problem-Solving in General Chemistry I (1 cr. hr.)
MAT 135 - Calculus I (4 cr. hr.)
CPN 100 - Writing Studies I (3 cr. hr.) or
CPN 102 - Writing Studies in the Community I (4 cr. hr.)
COR 101 - The Cortland Experience: A First Year Seminar (1 cr. hr.)
GE course ( 3 cr. hr.)

Total credit hours for semester: 16

First Year Spring

CHE 222 - General Chemistry II (4 cr. hr.)
PHY 201 - Principles of Physics I (4 cr. hr.)
MAT 236 - Calculus II (4 cr. hr.)
CPN 102 - Writing Studies in the Community I (4 cr. hr.) or
CPN 103 - Writing Studies in the Community II (4 cr. hr.)

Total credit hours for semester: 15

Second Year Fall

PHY 202 - Principles of Physics II (4 cr. hr.)
MAT 237 - Calculus III (4 cr. hr.)
GE course (3 cr. hr.)
GE course (3 cr. hr.)
Elective (3 cr. hr.)

Total credit hours for semester: 17

Second Year Spring

PHY 203 - Principles of Physics III (3 cr. hr.)
MAT 430 - Differential Equations (3 cr. hr.)
GE course (3 cr. hr.)
GE course (3 cr. hr.)
GE course (3 cr. hr.)

Total credit hours for semester: 15

Third Year Fall

PHY 186 - Introductory Programming (3 cr. hr.)
PHY 410 - Modern Physics (3 cr. hr.)
Foreign language (3 cr. hr.)
GE course (3 cr. hr.)
Elective (3 cr. hr.)

Total credit hours for semester: 15

Third Year Spring

PHY 357 - Intermediate Physics Laboratory (3 cr. hr.)
PHY 422 - Applied Mechanics (3 cr. hr.)
PHY 450 - Electricity and Magnetism (4 cr. hr.)
PHY 425 - Methods of Applied Mathematics (3 cr. hr.) or
MAT 425 - Methods of Applied Mathematics (3 cr. hr.)

Total credit hours for semester: 16

Fourth Year Fall

PHY 420 - Classical Mechanics (3 cr. hr.)
MAT 272 - Linear Algebra (3 cr. hr.) or
MAT 446 - Probability and Statistics (3 cr. hr.)
Elective (3 cr. hr.)
Elective (3 cr. hr.)
PHY 400 or 500 level (3 cr. hr.)

Total credit hours for semester: 15

Fourth Year Spring

PHY 440 - Electronics (3 cr. hr.)
PHY 400 or 500 level (3 cr. hr.)
PHY 400 or 500 level (3 cr. hr.)
Elective (3 cr. hr.)
Elective (3 cr. hr.)

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Physics [PHY]

Career Potential

A. Required Courses in Physics: 39 credit hours

B. Required Related Courses: 29 credit hours

Select Either:

Total Credit Hours Required for Graduation: 124

Example of the bachelor's degree in Physics over four years

First Year Fall

Total credit hours for semester: 16

First Year Spring

Total credit hours for semester: 15

Second Year Fall

Total credit hours for semester: 17

Second Year Spring

Total credit hours for semester: 15

Third Year Fall

Total credit hours for semester: 15

Third Year Spring

Total credit hours for semester: 16

Fourth Year Fall

Total credit hours for semester: 15

Fourth Year Spring

Total credit hours for semester: 15