Bachelor of Arts
Daniel Briotta, 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, or 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 has programs leading to the bachelor's degree in physics and mathematics-physics. It also offers a physics-engineering 3-2 program in conjunction with Cornell University, Clarkson University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and the Thomas J. Watson School of Engineering, Applied Science, and Technology of SUNY at Binghamton. The program leads to two bachelor's degrees, one from Ithaca College and the other from the appropriate school of engineering.
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 3.20. The two-part examination is given the first two Saturdays following the midyear break. The first Saturday consists of two comprehensive written exams: from 9:00 a.m. to noon, covering the fundamentals-of-physics sequence and electricity and magnetism, and from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., covering material at the junior/senior level. 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 major in physics permits students to either concentrate heavily on physics in preparation for graduate work or industrial careers, or to combine physics with other professional interests such as secondary education, premedical training, astronomy, or electronics.
Core Requirements
|
Physics: 315-11700, 315-11800, 315-12000, 315-21700, 315-21800, 315-22500 |
20 |
Concentration requirements
1. 18 additional credits
2. 9 of the 18 credits must be at level 3 or 4 with at least 6 of the 9 being in physics.
3. 3 of the 18 credits must be for a physics laboratory other than 315-17600 or 315-17700; laboratory credits may be used to satisfy concentration requirement 2.
Total concentration requirements |
18 | |
Total credits in the major |
38 |
The concentration must be planned with the adviser and approved by the department before the end of the student's fourth semester.
Credits outside the major
|
Mathematics and computer science: 313-11100, 313-11200, 313-21100, and 312-17100 (See mathematics department policies on placement exams, p. 230) |
16 |
|
Electives (maximum) |
66 |
Total, B.A. in physics |
120 |
Professional
|
Physics: 315-30100, 315-30500, 315-31100, 315-32000, 315-36000 or 315-45100, 315-32600 or 315-35100 |
18 |
Premedical
|
Physics: 315-30500, 315-32000, 315-36000 |
9 |
|
Chemistry and biology: 303-12100, 303-12200, 304-12100, 304-12200, 304-12400, 304-22100, 304-22200 |
25 |
Electronics
|
Physics: 315-32000, 315-32600, 315-35100 |
9 |
|
Computer Science: 312-17400, 312-21000, 312-31500 |
12 |
See p. 230.
The program requirements below are for students who will graduate and apply for New York teaching certification before February 2, 2004.
|
Physics: 315-11700, 315-11800, 315-12000, 315-21700, 315-21800, 315-22500 |
20 |
Concentration requirements
1. 18 additional credits
2. 9 of the 18 credits must at level 3 or 4 with at least 6 of the 9 being in physics.
3. 3 of the 18 credits must be for a physics laboratory other than 315-17600 or 315-17700; laboratory credits may be used to satisfy concentration requirement 2.
The concentration must be planned with the adviser and approved by the department before the end of the student's fourth semester.
Total concentration requirements |
18 | |
Total credits in the major |
38 |
|
Mathematics and computer science, including 313-11100, 313-11200, 313-21100, and 312-17100. |
16 |
(See mathematics department policies on placement exams, p. 230)
(See general statement on teacher education programs, p. 172)
|
Education: 327-21900, 327-30800, 327-31000, 327-41200, 327-49800; 395-11000, 395-11100, 395-34000 |
26 |
|
Psychology: a general psychology course (one of the following: 330-10300 through 330-12100, or either 330-20300 or 330-20400) plus 330-21010 Educational Psychology |
6 |
Total, education and related courses |
32 |
|
(Maximum) to complete H&S general education requirement and the 120 credits necessary for graduation |
34 |
Total, B.A. in physics with teacher certification 7-12 |
120 |
For majors in physics, mathematics-physics, biology, and chemistry
|
Physics: 315-11700, 315-11800, 315-12000, 315-21700, 315-21800, 315-22500 |
20 |
|
Mathematics: 313-11100, 313-11200 |
8 |
(See general statement on teacher education programs, p. 172)
|
Education: 327-21900, 327-30800, 327-31000, 327-41200, 327-49800; 395-11000, 395-11100, 395-34000 |
26 |
|
Psychology: a general psychology course (one of the following: 330-10300 through 330-12100, or either 330-20300 or 330-20400) plus 330-21010 Educational Psychology |
6 |
Total, education and related courses |
32 |
In addition to certification in physics, after completing the requirements listed above, students may also receive certification in chemistry or biology --- provided they meet the certification requirements of the discipline. These requirements are listed under requirements for the teaching option in chemistry or biology for those departments.
A student may also receive certification in general science upon completion of the requirements listed above for physics certification and completion of a one-year introductory sequence in chemistry and biology, and a one-semester course in geology (may be taken at Cornell --- see p. 20).
The program requirements below are for students who will graduate and apply for New York State teaching certification on or after February 2, 2004. Entering first-year students in fall 2000 and thereafter will complete the following program.
Physics: 315-11700, 315-11800, 315-12000, 315-21700, 315-21800, 315-22500 |
20 |
Concentration requirements
1. 18 additional credits
2. 9 of the 18 credits must be at level 3 or 4, with at least 6 of the 9 in physics.
3. 3 of the 18 credits must be for a physics laboratory other than 315-17600 or 315-17700; laboratory credits may be used to satisfy concentration requirement 2.
The concentration must be planned with the adviser and approved by the department before the end of the student's fourth semester.
Total concentration requirements |
18 | |
|
Total credits in the major |
38 |
|
Mathematics and computer science, including 313-11100, 313-11200, 313-21100, and 312-17100. (See mathematics and computer science department policies on placement examinations, page 230.) |
16 |
327-21910 |
Elements of Tutoring |
3 |
312-20100 |
Technology for the Middle/Secondary School Teacher |
2 |
327-10100 |
Literacy Education for the Middle/Secondary School Teacher |
2 |
620-23900 |
Educating Children with Special Needs |
2 |
620-22900 |
Second Language Acquisition: Its Nature and Meaning for Educators |
2 |
330-21010 |
Educational Psychology |
3 |
395-34000 |
Social Foundations of Education |
3 |
327-30810 |
Pedagogy and Practice across the Disciplines |
3 |
327-31010 |
Pedagogy and Practice for the Science Teacher |
3 |
327-41210 |
Seminar on the Practical Issues of Teaching |
3 |
327-49810 |
Professional Semester in Education |
12 |
Total core education requirements |
38 |
· All teaching option students must successfully complete a year of college-level study in a language other than English. Students may test out of this requirement by taking the language placement test and placing at the 200 level or above.
· All teaching option students must successfully complete a writing course at the 106 level or above
· All teaching option students must successfully complete the second-year review and maintain a minimum 2.75 GPA in their subject. If a student receives an unsuccessful review, or a review with stipulations, the student must participate in and successfully pass a second review the following year. Unsuccessful reviews and reviews with stipulations will be accompanied by a written statement outlining what must be done before the second review is completed.
· Students must earn a grade of B or better in 327-30810 and 327-31010 to qualify for student teaching. A grade of B- does not qualify.
· Professional Semester in Education and Seminar on the Practical Issues of Teaching constitute a full course load during the student teaching semester. No additional courses may be taken.
· All candidates for provisional or initial certification must successfully complete all three sections of the New York State Teacher Certification Exam: the liberal arts and sciences test, the assessment of teaching skills - written, and the content area exam.
· The student's department chair and the coordinator of teacher education must approve any exceptions to the above requirements.
(Maximum) to complete H&S general education requirement and the 120 credits necessary for graduation |
28 | |
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 wish to enroll in physics courses, to be guided in course selection, and receive recognition for their studies.
|
Physics: 315-11700, 315-11800, 315-12000, 315-21700, 315-21800, 315-22500 |
20 |
|
Prerequisites for 315-11700 and 315-11800 are 313-11100, and 313-11200, respectively. |
8 |
In a joint program with Cornell University, Clarkson University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and the Thomas J. Watson School of Engineering, Applied Science, and Technology of SUNY at Binghamton, students in the physics major program at the end of their junior year may, subject to recommendation by the physics department and acceptance by the engineering school, transfer to the appropriate engineering school for two more years. 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.
Students may petition to complete a 3-2 program at another institution. However, 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 their fifth semester. This kind of arrangement 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.
Physics: 315-11700, 315-11800, 315-12000, 315-21700, 315-21800, 315-22500 satisfy the core requirement. In order to satisfy a concentration requirement 315-30100, 315-30500, 315-31100, 315-32000, and 315-36000 or 315-45100 must be taken, plus 3 credits of department-approved courses taken at Ithaca College or the engineering school.
In order to finish the program, the 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.
|
Total |
38 |
|
Mathematics and computer science: 313-11100, 313-11200, 313-21100, 312-17100 |
16 |
|
Electives |
36 |
Total required for degree (30 credits will be transferred from the engineering school toward the Ithaca College degree.) |
120 |
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