Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science
Beth Ellen Clark Joseph, Associate Professor and Chair
The Department of Physics offers a range of programs and courses designed to prepare students for a variety of career opportunities. With the supporting background of mathematics, computer science, chemistry, and biology, the curriculum provides the educational foundation necessary for continued study at the graduate level, technical employment, or certification in secondary school teaching of physics.
The department offers a physics-engineering 3-2 program and has programs leading to the bachelor of science degree in physics and the bachelor of arts in physics and mathematics-physics.
Physics, B.S.
Physics, B.A.
Mathematics-Physics, B.A.
Physics, B.A. with Teaching Option
Physics Minor
In collaboration with Cornell University, Clarkson University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and the Thomas J. Watson School of Engineering, Applied Science, and Technology of Binghamton University, as well as other accredited engineering schools, the physics department offers qualified students the opportunity to receive two bachelor's degrees, one from Ithaca College and one from the appropriate school of engineering, over the course of five years. Physics majors who are interested in this program complete all the requirements for the Physics B.A. (see below) in three years, and apply to transfer to the appropriate engineering school for two more years to complete an engineering degree.
Students who wish to enter this joint program must take, in addition to the physics program requirements, certain basic courses stipulated by the engineering department of their choice. Very careful planning is necessary to ensure the proper program articulation, and students must therefore obtain the approval of the department chairperson no later than the end of the fifth semester. This program requires the student to take an academic leave of absence for the senior year and to obtain the provost's waiver of the senior credit requirement. Transfer will be subject to both the department's recommendation and acceptance by the engineering school. Students will transfer 30 credits from the engineering school toward the Ithaca College degree.
To graduate from the program, a student must fulfill the degree requirements of the engineering school. In the event a student does not complete the engineering school portion of the program, an Ithaca College degree in physics can be awarded if all the requirements for a department-approved physics program have been met. Courses taken at the engineering school can be used toward fulfillment of the requirement upon approval of the department.
A senior physics major may elect to compete for departmental honors, provided his or her cumulative average in level 2 and above physics courses is at least 3.50. The two-part examination is given the first two Saturdays following the winter break. The first Saturday consists of two comprehensive written exams: from 9:00 a.m. to noon, covering the principles of physics, and from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., covering material at the junior/senior level. In addition, material from any course in the student's concentration may be included in the afternoon examination. Provided the candidate performs satisfactorily on these written exams, he or she is given a comprehensive oral exam on the following Saturday by a faculty committee of at least three members. The committee makes the final decision on whether to grant honors based on the student's academic record and performance on the written and oral exams.
The B.S. major in physics provides a rigorous course of study in physics for the student as a preparation for graduate school or highly technical jobs in industry.
|
PHYS 11700 |
Principles of Physics I: Mechanics |
4 |
|
PHYS 11800 |
Principles of Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism |
4 |
|
PHYS 12000 |
Introductory Applied Physics Laboratory |
3 |
|
PHYS 21700 |
Principles of Physics III: Waves, Optics and Thermodynamics |
4 |
|
PHYS 21800 |
Modern Physics |
4 |
|
PHYS 22500 |
AC and DC Circuits |
3 |
|
PHYS 30100 |
Mathematical Methods in Physics |
3 |
|
PHYS 30500 |
Electromagnetism |
3 |
|
PHYS 31100 |
Analytical Mechanics |
3 |
|
PHYS 32000 |
Thermodynamics |
3 |
|
PHYS 36000 |
Intermediate Physics Laboratory |
3 |
|
PHYS 42100 |
Quantum Mechanics |
3 |
|
PHYS 45100 |
Advanced Physics Laboratory |
3 |
|
PHYS 49800 |
Senior Thesis |
3 |
|
PHYS 29900 |
Independent Research: Introductory |
1 |
|
PHYS 39900 |
Independent Research: Intermediate |
1 |
|
PHYS 49900 |
Independent Research: Advanced |
1 |
| One additional physics course at level 3 or above | 3 | |
|
Total, physics courses |
52 |
|
Mathematics and computer science, including MATH 11100, MATH 11200, MATH 21100, MATH 21200, and COMP 17100 |
19 |
|
Electives |
49 |
|
Total, B.S. in physics |
120 |
The B.A. major in physics permits students either to concentrate heavily on physics in preparation for industrial careers or to combine physics with other professional interests or graduate degree aspirations such as secondary education, premedical training or biology, astronomy, electronics, chemistry, environmental science, or computer science.
|
Physics, including PHYS 11700, PHYS 11800, PHYS 12000, PHYS 21700, PHYS 21800, PHYS 22500 |
22 |
| 1. A minimum of 18 additional credits. | |
| 2. Nine of the 18 credits must be at level 3 or 4, with at least 6 of the 9 being in physics (excluding PHYS 30100). Credits used to satisfy concentration requirement 2 may not be used to satisfy concentration requirement 3. | 6 |
| 3. Three of the 18 credits must be for a physics laboratory at level 3 or 4; laboratory credits used to satisfy concentration requirement 3 may not be used to satisfy concentration requirement 2. | 3 |
|
Total, concentration requirements |
18 |
|
Total, credits in the major |
40 |
The concentration must be planned with the adviser and approved by the department before the end of the student's fourth semester. See listing of sample concentrations below.
|
Mathematics and computer science, including MATH 11100, MATH 11200, MATH 21100, and COMP 17100; see |
16 |
|
Electives (maximum) |
64 |
|
Total, B.A. in physics |
120 |
Requirements for this degree are listed in the Department of Mathematics.
Mathematics
|
Physics, including PHYS 11700, PHYS 11800, PHYS 12000, PHYS 21700, PHYS 21800, PHYS 22500 |
22 |
| 1. A minimum of 18 additional credits. | |
| 2. Nine of the 18 credits must be at level 3 or 4, with at least 6 of the 9 credits in physics. | |
| 3. Three of the 18 credits must be for a physics laboratory other than PHYS 17600 or PHYS 17700; laboratory credits may be used to satisfy concentration requirement 2. | |
|
Total, concentration requirements |
18 |
|
Total, credits in the major |
40 |
The concentration must be planned with the adviser and approved by the department before the end of the student's fourth semester. See listing of sample concentrations below.
|
Mathematics and computer science, including MATH 11100, MATH 11200, MATH 21100, and COMP 17100; see |
16 |
|
EDUC 21910 |
Early Field Experience: Theory and Practice |
3 |
|
COMP 20100 |
Technology for the Middle/Secondary School Teacher |
2 |
|
EDUC 10100 |
Literacy Education for the Middle/Secondary School Teacher |
2 |
|
EDUC 23900 |
Educating Children with Special Needs |
2 |
|
EDUC 22900 |
Second Language Acquisition: Its Nature and Meaning for Educators |
2 |
|
PSYC 21010 |
Educational Psychology |
3 |
|
EDUC 34000 |
Social and Cultural Foundations of Education |
3 |
|
EDUC 40810 |
Pedagogy and Practice across the Disciplines |
3 |
|
EDUC 41010 |
Pedagogy and Practice for the Science Teacher |
3 |
|
EDUC 41210 |
Seminar in Reflective Practice |
3 |
|
EDUC 49810 |
Professional Semester in Education |
12 |
|
EDUC 11000 |
Child Abuse Identification and Prevention |
0 |
|
EDUC 11100 |
Drug and Alcohol Abuse: Identification and Prevention |
0 |
|
Total, core education requirements |
40 |
|
Maximum to complete H&S general education requirement and the 120 credits necessary for graduation |
26 |
|
Total, B.A. in physics with teaching option |
120 |
The physics minor program provides an option for students who may not want to be physics majors but who wish to enroll in physics courses, be guided in course selection, and receive recognition for their studies.
|
Physics, including PHYS 11700, PHYS 11800, PHYS 12000, PHYS 21700, PHYS 21800, PHYS 22500 |
22 |
|
MATH 11100 and MATH 11200 |
8 |
|
Total, minor in physics |
30 |
Students can participate in our cooperative programs with the Duke University Marine Lab (North Carolina and Bermuda) or the Sea Education Association of Wood's Hole (with a variety of cruise tracks). For more information on these programs, see "National Affiliated Programs in Marine Biology" in the "International Programs" section.
National Affiliated Programs in Marine Biology