This concentration in the Physics Department  is designed for those students wishing to continue in an engineering discipline. The student spends three years at Cortland taking all requirements for the degree in physics, then transfers to an engineering school for two years to complete the requirements for a bachelor's degree in engineering. Students have transferred to such schools as SUNY College of Ceramics at Alfred,* Binghamton University, SUNY Buffalo, Clarkson University and SUNY Stony Brook.**

* For those interested in the program at SUNY College of Ceramics at Alfred the two physics electives should be PHY 531: Physical Chemistry I and 532: Physical Chemistry II.

** The program with SUNY Stony Brook stipulates that at least three courses be taken in a single department or area, constituting a sequence of courses developing a central theme, with the condition that at least two of these be at the 200 level or above.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

1. Apply the core principles of physics, including principles from: classical mechanics, electromagnetic theory, thermodynamics, optics, electronics, quantum mechanics, and special relativity.
2. Use mathematical techniques from calculus, differential equations, and applied mathematical methods.
3. Conduct experimental work in a laboratory setting, including: designing experiments, setting up experimental devices, collecting data, analyzing data with appropriate statistical methods, and comparison of data and theory.
4. Effectively communicate scientific information in written formats using appropriate writing styles for the sciences.
5. Effectively communicate scientific information in oral presentations.
6. Design and create computer programs capable of performing data analysis and numerical computations related to physics.                                  

Program Standard Grade Point Average Requirement

The major GPA is calculated by all courses identified in the college catalog as required for the major. In addition, this program has an established program standard GPA which may be used to determine progress in the program.

• Program Standard GPA
  • Minimum GPA of 2.0 in PHY 201, 202, 203, 410, 420, 422, 440, 450, or 300-599
• Physics: 3+2 Engineering Major Requirements
  • 27 credits in PHY 201, 202, 203, 410, 420, 422, 440, 450, or 300-599

Career Potential

• Graduate work in engineering
• Technical specialist
• Professional engineer
• Construction industry