Directors of Undergraduate Studies
Joseph Paulsen
jdpaulse@syr.edu
201 Physics Building
315-443-3901
Faculty
Marina Artuso, Stefan Ballmer, Steven Blusk, Duncan Brown, Craig Cahillane, Simon Catterall, Eric Coughlin, Walter Freeman, Jay Hubisz, John Laiho, Colm Kelleher, Alex Maloney, M. Lisa Manning, Georgia Mansell, Alan Middleton, Liviu Movileanu, Alexander Nitz, Nidhi Pashine, Alison Patteson, Joseph Paulsen, Ivan Pechenezhskiy, Britton Plourde, Jennifer Ross, Matthew Rudolph, Christian Santangelo, Jennifer Schwarz, Rafael Silva Coutinho, Mirna Mihovilovic Skanata, Tomasz Skwarnicki, Mitchell Soderberg, Paul Souder, Scott Watson, Denver Whittington
Physicists idealize the behavior of matter and energy in terms of mathematical representations called the “fundamental laws of nature” and seek to explain the properties of nuclei, atoms, molecules, and systems of these particles (gases, liquids, crystals, etc.). Undergraduate physics courses provide a background in problem solving in many areas of physical science using theoretical, computational, and laboratory techniques.
The department offers coursework leading to either a B.A. or a B.S. degree. The B.A. degree program is an excellent liberal arts major that requires fewer credit hours in the major than the B.S. program. The B.S. degree is the recommended choice for students contemplating employment requiring advanced technical skills, or for those considering graduate work in science, engineering, or medicine.
Other information about physics can be found at physics.syr.edu.
B.S. Degree Requirements
The B.S. degree in physics requires at least 38 credits of physics coursework, including at least 30 credits of upper-division physics courses (numbered 300 or above). The required course work for the B.S. includes:
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
PHY 215
& PHY 225 | General Physics I for Scientists
and Experiencing Physics I | 5 |
PHY 216
& PHY 226 | General Physics II for Scientists
and Experiencing Physics II | 5 |
| PHY 302 | Mathematical Skills for Physicists | 3 |
| PHY 344 | | 4 |
| PHY 360 | Vibrations, Waves and Thermal Physics | 3 |
| PHY 361 | Statistical Physics and Quantum Phenomena | 3 |
| PHY 365 | Experiencing Physics III | 2 |
| PHY 366 | Experiencing Physics IV | 2 |
| PHY 523 | Advanced Mechanics | 3 |
| PHY 524 | Electromagnetics I | 3 |
| PHY 531 | Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics | 3 |
| PHY 567 | Introduction to Quantum Mechanics I | 3 |
| |
| MAT 295 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MAT 296 | Calculus II | 2-4 |
| MAT 397 | Calculus III | 4 |
| 1 |
| |
| Total Credits | 50-52 |
B.S with Distinction
A B.S. with distinction is awarded to students who complete the B.S. program with 36 credit hours or more of upper-division physics courses and who achieve at least a 3.4 grade point average in their physics coursework. A B.S. with distinction is noted on a student’s official transcript.
College of Arts and Sciences Requirements
For all Arts and Sciences|Maxwell students, successful completion of a bachelor’s degree in this major requires a minimum of 120 credits, 96 of which must be Arts and Sciences|Maxwell credits, completion of the Liberal Arts Core requirements, and the requirements for this major (30 credits) that are listed above.
Dual Enrollments:
Students dually enrolled in Newhouse* and Arts and Sciences|Maxwell will complete a minimum of 122 credits, with at least 90 credits in Arts and Sciences|Maxwell coursework and an Arts and Sciences|Maxwell major.
*Students dually enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences|Maxwell as first year students must complete the Liberal Arts Core. Students who transfer to the dual program after their first year as singly enrolled students in the Newhouse School will satisfy general requirements for the dual degree program by completing the Newhouse Core Requirements.
Undergraduate University Requirements
The following requirements and experiences apply to all Syracuse University Undergraduate matriculated degree programs.
