Program: Physics [PHY] - SUNY Cortland - Modern Campus Catalog™

2007-2008 Undergraduate Catalog

Apr 06, 2025

The concentration in physics 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 - Applied Mathematics in the Physical Sciences (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

First Year

Fall Total credit hours: 16-17

GE course

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

Spring Total credit hours: 15-16

CHE 222 - General Chemistry II (4 cr. hr.)
CPN 101 - Academic Writing II (3 cr. hr.)
or
CPN 103 - Academic Writing in the Community II (4 cr. hr.)
MAT 236 - Calculus II (4 cr. hr.)
PHY 201 - Principles of Physics I (4 cr. hr.)

Second Year

Fall Total credit hours: 17

GE course
GE course

MAT 237 - Calculus III (4 cr. hr.)
PHY 186 - Introductory Programming (3 cr. hr.)
PHY 202 - Principles of Physics II (4 cr. hr.)

Spring Total credit hours: 15

GE course
GE course
Foreign language requirement

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

Third Year

Fall Total credit hours: 15

GE course
GE course
Elective

MAT 272 - Linear Algebra (3 cr. hr.)
PHY 420 - Classical Mechanics (3 cr. hr.)

Spring Total credit hours: 15

Elective
Elective

MAT 425 - Applied Mathematics in the Physical Sciences (3 cr. hr.)
PHY 357 - Intermediate Physics Laboratory (3 cr. hr.)
PHY 450 - Electricity and Magnetism (4 cr. hr.)

Fourth Year

Fall Total credit hours: 15

Physics elective
Elective
Elective

PHY 410 - Modern Physics (3 cr. hr.)
PHY 440 - Electronics (3 cr. hr.)

Spring Total credit hours: 15

Physics elective
Physics elective
Elective
Elective
Elective