The Major In Physics
The Major In Physics |
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| The Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science Major in Physics at SUNY Cortland leads to a degree preparing students for graduate work in physics, industrial or governmental research, or to a variety of occupations requiring a strong background in physical principles and mathematical applications. The curriculum is similar to those found in colleges and universities worldwide. Substitutions for the 500 level courses are permitted. |
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Required Major Courses |
Credit Hours |
| PHY 201, 202, 203: Principles of Physics I, II and III | 11 |
| PHY 186: Programming (or other high-level programming language) | 3 |
| PHY 357: Intermediate Physics Laboratory | 3 |
| PHY 410: Modern Physics | 3 |
| PHY 420: Classical Mechanics | 3 |
| PHY 440: Electronics | 3 |
| PHY 450: Electricity and Magnetism | 4 |
| PHY electives some recommended possibilities include: | 9 |
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PHY 530: Statistical Mechanics and Thermodynamics |
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PHY 565: Solid State Physics |
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PHY 575: Quantum Mechanics |
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| CHE 221-222: General Chemistry I and II and CHE 224: Problem Solving for General Chem I | 9 |
| MAT 125, 236, 237: Calculus I, II and III | 12 |
| MAT 272: Linear Algebra or MAT 272: Probability and Statistics | 3 |
| MAT 425: Applied Mathematics | 3 |
| MAT 430: Differential Equations | 3 |
College Requirements |
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| CPN 100 & 101: Academic Writing I & II [Students may be exempted from CPN 100] | 6 |
| General Education (excluding seven hours of natural science) | 21 |
| SUNY language requirement [additional hours in foreign language are required for the B.A.] | 4 |
| COR 101: Freshman Experience - Physics | 1 |
Free Electives |
23 |
| Total Hours Required for Graduation | 124 |
| FIRST YEAR | ||||
| CHE 221: General Chemistry I | 4 | PHY 201: Principles of Physics | 4 |
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| CHE 224: Problem Solving in General Chem I | 3 | CHE 222: General Chemistry II | 4 | |
| MAT 135: Calculus I | 4 | MAT 236: Calculus II | 4 | |
| CPN 100: Academic Writing I (may be exempted) | 3 | CPN 101: Academic Writing II | 3 | |
| General Education | 3 | |||
| COR 101: Freshman Experience - Physics | 1 | |||
| Total | 16 | Total | 15 |
| SECOND YEAR | ||||
| PHY 202: Principles of Physics II | 4 |
PHY 203: Principles of Physics III | 3 | |
| PHY 186: Programming | 3 | MAT 430: Differential Equations | 3 | |
| MAT 237: Calculus III | 4 | General Education | 6 | |
| General Education | 6 | SUNY language requirement (may be exempted) | 3 | |
| Total | 17 | Total | 16 |
| THIRD YEAR | ||||
| PHY 420: Classical Mechanics | 3 | PHY 357: Intermediate Physics Laboratory | 3 | |
| MAT 272: Linear Algebra | 3 | PHY 450: Electricity & Magnetism | 4 | |
| General Education | 6 | MAT 425: Applied Mathematics | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | Free Electives | 5 | |
| Total | 15 | Total: | 15 |
| FOURTH YEAR | ||||
| PHY 410: Modern Physics | 3 | Physics Elective (400 level or above) | 3 | |
| PHY 440: Electronics (even years) | 3 | Physics Elective (400 level or above) | 3 | |
| Physics Elective (400 level or above) | 3 | Free Electives | 9 | |
| Free Electives | 6 | |||
| Total | 15 | Total | 15 |
It is recommended that physics majors preparing for graduate study take a year of either German, Russian, or French.
