2020-2021 Catalog

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Physics, BS

Degree Requirements

Students can earn a Bachelor of Science degree with this major

Major Requirements: 20 courses and corresponding laboratories, 75 credits

Core Requirements (15 courses and corresponding laboratories, 55 credits)

CAS-201College to Career: Explore Your Options And Find Your Path

1
CMPSC-F131Computer Science I

4
MATH-165Calculus I

4
MATH-166Calculus II

4
MATH-265Calculus III

4
PHYS-151University Physics I

3
PHYS-L151University Physics Lab I

1
PHYS-152University Physics II

3
PHYS-L152University Physics Lab II

1
PHYS-153University Physics III

3
PHYS-L153University Physics III Lab

1
PHYS-253Introduction to Electronics

3
PHYS-L253Introduction to Electronics Laboratory

1
PHYS-363Classical Mechanics

4
PHYS-453Modern Physics

4
PHYS-L455Advanced Laboratory

2
PHYS-461Quantum Mechanics I

4
PHYS-477Electricity and Magnetism

4
PHYS-555Undergraduate Research in Physics

4

Concentration Requirement (5 courses, 20 credits)

Choose one of the following areas of concentration:
  1. General Physics
  2. Astrophysics

Residency Requirement Policy

In the College of Arts and Sciences, a two-course (8 credit) residency requirement must be satisfied for completion of a minor and a four-course (16 credit) residency requirement must be satisfied for the completion of a major.

Concentrations

General Physics Concentration: 5 courses, 20 credits

Core Requirements (4 courses, 16 credits)

MATH-255Probability and Statistics

4
PHYS-333Math Methods of Physics

4

Choose one of the following courses:

CMPSC-F132Computer Science II

4
MATH-331Introduction to Advanced Mathematics

4

Choose one of the following and the corresponding laboratory:

BIO-111Introduction to the Cell

3
BIO-L111Introduction to the Cell Laboratory

1
CHEM-111General Chemistry I

3
CHEM-L111General Chemistry Laboratory I

1
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Or one 200-level or higher Math elective

Elective (1 course, 4 credits)

Choose one Physics elective.

Astrophysics Concentration: 5 courses, 20 credits

PHYS-205Introduction to Astrophysics

4
PHYS-381

PHYS-L381Observational Astronomy Laboratory

1
PHYS-463Stellar Astrophysics

4
CMPSC-F132Computer Science II

4

Choose one of the following and the corresponding laboratory:

BIO-111Introduction to the Cell

3
BIO-L111Introduction to the Cell Laboratory

1
CHEM-111General Chemistry I

3
CHEM-L111General Chemistry Laboratory I

1

Honors

To complete requirements for honors in the major, a candidate must:

  1. Graduate with a major GPA of 3.33 or higher
  2. Graduate with an overall GPA of 3.33 or higher
  3. Have no grade less than B+ in the last two semesters of the program
  4. Complete PHYS-H555. The student must propose a research project for PHYS-H555 and have it approved by the honors coordinator and the student's research advisor at the end of the spring semester of junior year
  5. Present a poster at an APS conference or the Suffolk STEAM reception
  6. CAS Honors Program students only: Also present work from the senior honors experience at the Honors Symposium or Pecha Kucha event

To become a candidate for honors in the major, a student must:

  1. Have a major GPA of 3.33 or higher
  2. Have an overall GPA of 3.33 or higher
  3. Have completed a minimum of 15 credits at Suffolk University
  4. Apply to the honors coordinator in the spring semester of junior year

Physics Major Learning Goals and Objectives

Learning goals and objectives reflect the educational outcomes achieved by students through the completion of this program. These transferable skills prepare Suffolk students for success in the workplace, in graduate school, and in their local and global communities.

Learning Goals Learning Objectives
Students will... Students will be able to...
Acquire knowledge of physical principles - Demonstrate mastery of core areas of physics (classical mechanics, statistical mechanics, thermodynamics, electrodynamics, special relativity, quantum mechanics, and optics)
- Understand instrumentation and its importance in classical and modern experiments in physics
- Understand how to use computers and advanced analytical techniques in solving fundamental equations in physics, data acquisition and processing, and how to use software as a tool in data analysis
Acquire scientific and professional skills
 - Understand and explain physics problems, and be able to solve them by applying correct techniques; be able to test correctness and interpret results; write these solutions in a professional manner using appropriate software
- Understand the objectives of physics laboratory experiments; use modern instrumentation and classical techniques to carry out experiments and correctly record and analyze results; follow proper procedures and regulations for safely working in a laboratory
- Design, construct and complete a science-based independent project
- Use modern library search tools to locate and retrieve scientific information
Effectively pursue career objectives - Successfully pursue scientific careers in graduate or professional school, government or industry, or teaching physics at a high school
- Demonstrate critical thinking of scientific problems and understand the role of science in society and professional ethics