Students in the physics concentration receive training in most basic areas of physics and mathematics. The concentration provides a firm foundation in the principles of physics of contemporary interest. A student with such training is prepared to go on to graduate school for additional specialization in physics, engineering or other applied science fields or professions. The undergraduate degree in physics provides an adequate basis for teaching physics in high schools and research and development work in industry.
Although it is preferable for the potential physics major to start physics courses as a first-year student, the structure of the physics curriculum is such that the Harpur College student is able to satisfy the requirements for the BA degree in physics in two years of study following the completion of general physics and a year of calculus. If the student wishes to complete the requirements for the BS degree, an earlier start than the sophomore year is highly advisable.
The department offers a combined physics-engineering program in which students spend three years at Harpur College and two years at an engineering school. Such students receive the BA in physics and the bachelor’s degree in engineering after five years from either the Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science or a school other than ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ.
The department also offers a combined physics-materials science degree program in which students receive the BS in physics and the MS degree in materials science and engineering.
In cooperation with the Computer Science Department of the Watson College, the department has established a five-year program leading to the BS in physics and the BS in computer science.
Students not planning to specialize in physics may find our astronomy courses to be of interest. Taken together, ASTR 114 and 115 satisfy the General Education laboratory science requirement. General Physics, Sophomore Laboratory and various other courses are intended both for the specialist and non-specialist. These courses also satisfy the General Education laboratory science requirement.
No courses taken to satisfy the requirements for the major in physics may be taken with the Pass/Fail option when letter grades are available for the courses. Credit by examination is not granted for courses taught by the department apart from the Advanced Placement procedure.
The student is expected to develop computer skills and apply such skills to the solving of problems encountered within the framework of courses required for the degree. The student is also expected to satisfy the Harpur College requirements as well as the General Education requirements.
Our introductory physics courses require a certain number of in-person and hands-on lab experiments in addition to the course's discussion and lecture components. Transferred courses that are completely online do not meet this criteria.
Course Prerequisites
The Physics Department views the prerequisites listed for physics courses as essential. If a student does not have the prerequisites, or the equivalent, a course may be taken only after successful petition to the departmental undergraduate committee.
Also note that the following courses are required courses for the physics major: MATH 224 and PHYS 121. If students do not place into MATH 224, then MATH 223 and, if needed, MATH 108 are also required for completion of the major. If students do not place into PHYS 121, then MATH 108 is also required for completion of the major.
Harpur College Requirements
Harpur College students must complete the following requirements in addition to those listed for the major:
- 126 credits
- 94 liberal arts and sciences credits
- Minimum of 46 upper-level credits
- Completion of the Harpur College writing requirement (four to five courses as described in the All-College Writing section of the Harpur College Undergraduate Information section of the Bulletin. Maximum of one C/J course and two W courses may be transferred).
- Minimum of 44 credits in residence in Harpur College
- 2.0 or higher GPA
Harpur College requirements are described in detail in the Requirements for Graduation section of the Harpur College Undergraduate Information section of the Bulletin.
Physics BA Degree
Students planning to major in physics with a BA degree should take PHYS 121 and 122 (or 131 and 132) and should complete MATH 224/225, 226/227 and 323 as quickly as possible. Mathematics should be continued at least through Ordinary (MATH 324 or MATH 371) and Partial Differential Equations (MATH 471). In addition, a major in physics normally requires PHYS 227, 323, 327, 331, 332, 341 and 421 (a total of nine full courses in physics). Prospective physics majors should discuss their programs with a member of the department at their earliest convenience.
Four of the six required 300- and 400-level PHYS courses must be taken in residence at ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ. These courses do not include General Education requirements.
Physics BS Degrees
The department also offers a Bachelor of Science in Physics for students who want recognition of increased concentration in physics. The BS degree in physics requires the same nine physics courses and five math courses as with the BA degree, plus an additional three full physics courses (PHYS 411, PHYS 422 and PHYS 427/428 [or PHYS 429]) and introductory chemistry (either CHEM 107/108 or CHEM 111).
The following is a typical sequence of courses for students who major in physics beginning in their freshman year, with suggested electives shown in parentheses, excluding the General Education requirements.
Six of the nine required 300- and 400-level PHYS courses must be taken in residence at ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ.
| Fall | Spring | Fall | Spring |
| Freshman | Freshman | Sophomore | Sophomore |
|
PHYS 131** or 121 MATH 224/225 |
PHYS 132** or 122 MATH 226/227 |
PHYS 227** PHYS 323 MATH 324 or 371 |
PHYS 331 MATH 323 |
| Junior | Junior | Senior | Senior |
|
PHYS 332 CHEM 111 |
PHYS 327** PHYS 341 MATH 471 |
PHYS 411* PHYS 421 (PHYS 463) |
PHYS 422* PHYS 427/428 or 429* ** (PHYS 474) (PHYS 472) |
*Required for BS, not required for BA.
**Offered fall and spring.
BS Degree-Applied Physics
For the student planning a career in applied physics, engineering physics, geophysics, materials science or other areas of engineering, the department offers the Bachelor of Science in Physics with an emphasis in applied physics.
Appropriate choices from among the elective courses that may be used to complete this degree will provide preparation for students intending to pursue a career in one of these applied areas. For further details and advice, the student is urged to consult the departmental undergraduate director.
The program of study for this degree represents a modification of the traditional BS in physics. The requirements to earn the BS applied physics degree are the same as the BA physics degree plus introductory chemistry (CHEM 107/108 or CHEM 111) and an additional 12 credits taken from the following list of required elective courses: PHYS 422, 463, 472; PHYS/GEOL 450, PHYS/GEOL 451, GEOL 453; ME 311, ME 361; CHEM 444, CHEM 481.
The following is a typical sequence of courses for students who major in applied physics, beginning in their first year.
Six of the nine required 300- and 400-level PHYS courses must be taken in residence at ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ.
| Fall | Spring | Fall | Spring |
| Freshman | Freshman | Sophomore | Sophomore |
|
PHYS 131* or 121 MATH 224/225 |
PHYS 132* or 122 MATH 226/227 |
PHYS 323 PHYS 227* MATH 324 or 371 |
PHYS 331 MATH 323 |
| Junior | Junior | Senior | Senior |
|
PHYS 332 CHEM 111 Required elective ** |
PHYS 341 PHYS 327* MATH 471 |
PHYS 421 Required elective** |
Required elective** |
*Offered fall and spring.
**Select a required elective from the list of elective courses.
BS Degree-Mathematical Physics
For students interested in pursuing graduate education or careers in mathematical physics, or other theoretically oriented fields of physical science, the department offers an emphasis in mathematical physics. Students interested in this degree should contact the undergraduate director in the Physics Department as soon as possible.
The 18 courses required for this degree are: PHYS 131 and 132 (or 121 and 122), 323, 331, 332, 341, 411, 421 and 422; MATH 224/225, 226/227, 304, 323, 330, 371 (or MATH 324), 471 and 478; and one additional PHYS course at the 400 level. One of these courses may be substituted by a MATH course numbered 375 or above, with the approval of the Physics Department undergraduate director.
Students are encouraged to take laboratory courses in physics, as these courses may broaden their opportunities in graduate schools. Six of the nine 300- and 400-level PHYS courses required for the completion of the degree must be taken in residence at ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ.
The following is a typical sequence of courses for students pursuing the BS in mathematical physics, beginning in the first year.
| Fall | Spring | Fall | Spring |
| Freshman | Freshman | Sophomore | Sophomore |
|
PHYS 131* or 121 MATH 224/225 |
PHYS 132* or 122 MATH 226/227 |
PHYS 323 MATH 304 |
PHYS 331 MATH 323 MATH 371 (or MATH 324) |
| Junior | Junior | Senior | Senior |
|
PHYS 332 Required elective ** MATH 330 |
PHYS 341 MATH 471 |
PHYS 421 PHYS 411 MATH 478 |
PHYS 422 Required elective** |
*Offered fall and spring.
**Select a required elective.
BA or BS Degree Starting in the Sophomore Year
Prior to the junior year, the student must have taken PHYS 121 and 122 (or 131 and 132), MATH 323 and, if possible, MATH 371. Candidates for the BS degree should have also completed CHEM 111 (or CHEM 107 and 108).
The programs for the junior and senior years are identical to those prescribed in the next section for transfer students from two-year colleges.
BA or BS Degree after the Two-Year College Degree
The department has structured its curriculum so that the graduate of a two-year college may complete a BA or BS degree program in two additional years. It is assumed that such students have completed the equivalent of two semesters of general physics and three semesters of calculus by the time of enrollment. If they have not, an additional semester or two may be necessary. A general physics course with a weekly three-hour laboratory normally satisfies the equivalent of PHYS 121, PHYS 122 and PHYS 227, although the student must still complete the total required number of physics courses for the degree. If the student is working for the BS degree, it is also important that as many General Education requirements as possible be fulfilled at the two-year school.
The following is a typical sequence of courses for those students who major in physics after transferring from a two-year college.
For the BA Degree
| Fall | Spring | Fall | Spring |
| Junior | Junior | Senior | Senior |
|
PHYS 227* PHYS 323 MATH 324 or 371 |
PHYS 341 PHYS 331 |
PHYS 332 PHYS 421 |
PHYS 327 PHYS 471 |
*Elective if general physics with weekly laboratory is transferred.
For the BS degree
| Fall | Spring | Fall | Spring |
| Junior | Junior | Senior | Senior |
| PHYS 227* ~ PHYS 323 MATH 324 or 371 |
PHYS 341 PHYS 331 PHYS 327~ |
PHYS 332 PHYS 411 PHYS 421 |
PHYS 427 PHYS 428** PHYS 422** PHYS 407*** |
*Elective if general physics with weekly laboratory is transferred.
**Required for applied physics degree, PHYS 429 may be taken in place of the combination of PHYS 427 and PHYS 428.
***Required for traditional BS.
~Offered fall and spring
It is advantageous for the BS candidate to be more advanced in mathematical preparation than is shown here.
The transfer student from a two-year college interested in the BS mathematical physics degree must have completed at least general physics (PHYS 121, 122 or equivalent), and calculus through ordinary differential equations (or the equivalent of MATH 371) prior to enrollment in Harpur College.
Combined Program in Physics and Engineering
The combined engineering program is an educational affiliation between Binghamton and several engineering schools. The program enables a student to devote three years to the study of liberal arts and sciences at Binghamton before transferring to an engineering school for two years of engineering education. This program leads to a BA in physics from Binghamton and a bachelor’s degree from the engineering school. The range of engineering specializations available is large, so that preparation for almost any engineering career is available in at least one of the engineering schools. In the past, arrangements have been made with SUNY at Buffalo College of Engineering, Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Rochester Institute of Technology College of Engineering, Clarkson University School of Engineering, SUNY at Stony Brook College of Engineering, University of Rochester College of Engineering and Applied Science, and the Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science at ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ. Arrangements with other engineering schools are possible and encouraged.
The completion of two sets of requirements in the short period of five years requires careful planning of courses even in the first year. Not taking certain crucial courses in the first year may make it difficult to undertake the program in that pattern. Though entrance to any given engineering school cannot be guaranteed, our experience has been that careful planning and good academic performance on the part of the student are essential. The student is strongly encouraged to make contact with the chosen engineering school as early as possible so that a careful selection of courses may be made.
Normally, students should take MATH 224/225 and 226/227, and PHYS 121 and 122, or PHYS 131 and 132, in the first year. The requirements for the BA in physics in the 3-2 combined engineering program are the same as for the normal BA in physics. These include PHYS 131 and 132 (or PHYS 121 and 122), PHYS 227, PHYS 323, PHYS 327, PHYS 331, PHYS 332, PHYS 341 and PHYS 421. In addition, the following mathematics courses are required: MATH 224/225, MATH 226/227, MATH 323, MATH 371 and MATH 471. It is expected that the student will also meet the General Education requirements and other Harpur College requirements. Other elective courses that may be appropriate include CHEM 111 Engineering Graphics and Statics. Depending on the chosen engineering field and school, still other courses may have to be considered.
The following is a typical sequence of courses when the chosen engineering school is not Watson College (commonly selected electives are shown in parentheses):
| Fall | Spring | Fall | Spring |
| Freshman | Freshman | Sophomore | Sophomore |
|
PHYS 131* PHYS 224/225 (CHEM 111) |
PHYS 132* MATH 226/227 |
PHYS 227* PHYS 323 MATH 324 or 371 |
PHYS 331 MATH 323 |
| Junior | Junior | ||
|
PHYS 421 PHYS 332 |
PHYS 327* PHYS 341 MATH 471 |
*Offered in fall and spring
When the chosen engineering school is the University’s Watson College, the suggested course sequence is somewhat different. In this case, the student takes some Harpur College humanities and social science courses during the fourth and fifth years. The following is a sample course program. The blanks below indicate Watson College courses to be chosen with the help of a Watson College academic advisor.
| Fall | Spring | Fall | Spring |
| Freshman | Freshman | Sophomore | Sophomore |
|
PHYS 131* PHYS 224/225 |
PHYS 132* MATH 226/227 WTSN – WTSN - |
PHYS 227* PHYS 323 MATH 324 or 371 |
PHYS 331 MATH 323 CHEM 111 WTSN - |
| Junior | Junior | ||
|
PHYS 421 PHYS 332 WTSN - |
PHYS 327* PHYS 341 MATH 471 |
*Offered in fall and spring
For further information about this program, contact the director of undergraduate programs in the Department of Physics, Applied Physics and Astronomy.
BS (Physics) and BS (Computer Science) Degree Five-Year Program
The department, in cooperation with the Department of Computer Science in Watson College, has established a five-year program leading to the BS in physics and the BS in computer science. Graduates of this program are prepared to pursue careers or graduate studies in physics or computer science.
Due to the extensive depth of the program, interested students are urged to contact the undergraduate program director in the Physics Department before their initial registration.
| Fall | Spring | Fall | Spring |
| Year 1 |
Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 2 |
|
CS 140 MATH 224/225 PHYS 121 or 131* CS 101 (1 credit P/F) |
CS 210 MATH 226/227 PHYS 122 or 132* |
CS 220 PHYS 323 |
CS 240 MATH 314 MATH 323 CS 325 |
| Year 3 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 4 |
|
CS 333 CHEM 111 CS 373 MATH 324 or 371 |
CS 350 PHYS 331 MATH 471 |
CS 471 MATH 341 PHYS 332 CS elective |
PHYS 327* PHYS 341 CS elective |
| Year 5 | Year 5 | ||
|
PHYS 411 PHYS 421 CS elective |
PHYS 422 PHYS 427/428 or 429* CS 495 CS elective |
*Offered in fall and spring
Physics Minor
Requirements for the minor in physics are as follows: (1) PHYS 131 and 132 or (PHYS 121 and 122) and PHYS 323. (2) Any other three 300- or 400-level courses that must be taken for a letter grade. PHYS 227 may be substituted for one of these courses. The 300- and 400-level courses must be taken in residence at ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ.
Additional Opportunities for the Physics Major
Honors in Physics
An upper-class physics major who has demonstrated superior academic ability may earn honors in physics in one of two ways:
Research Work: With departmental approval, the student enrolls in PHYS 498 - Physics Honors, for a full- or half-course load. The student then works closely with a faculty member on a research project agreed upon by the faculty member, for a total of at least four credit hours. The results of this project are presented in a senior thesis defended by the student at a departmental seminar. A successful defense demonstrating a superior research competence and mastery of the subject earns the recognition of distinguished independent work in physics. Further details are available from the department.
Coursework: The student successfully completes PHYS 424 Honors Quantum Mechanics and PHYS 425 Honors Electrodynamics, both with a grade of B or better. In addition, the student successfully completes a capstone project. The capstone project is prepared under a faculty member’s supervision while registered for a four-credit independent study (PHYS 497). Each course for this option is taken as four credits unless specified otherwise. Further details are available from the department.
Sigma Pi Sigma
Sigma Pi Sigma, a chapter of the National Physics Honor Society, has existed in the department for many decades. The physics major who has achieved a grade-point average in physics of 3.2 or higher in addition to an overall grade-point average of 3.0 or higher is invited to join this prestigious society in their junior or senior year. All students who accept the invitation to join are inducted into Sigma Pi Sigma at a ceremony in the spring.
George E. Moore Award for Academic Achievement in Physics
This award is given annually to an outstanding senior physics major. This award was established to honor the late George E. Moore, a professor in the department for a number of years, by his wife. The award is based on academic achievement, research work and an overall dedication to physics.
George E. Moore Scholarship Endowment
Established in 1986, the endowment awards scholarships to first-year students pursuing an undergraduate degree in physics at ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ. The award selection is based on the student's prior academic achievements, as reflected in the student's high school transcripts, Scholastic Aptitude Test scores and other evidence of scholastic merit. The scholarship is renewed every year based on satisfactory progress towards a degree in physics.
Robert J. Penfield Award for Academic Promise in Physics
The Robert J. Penfield Award is given each spring to a physics junior who has shown high interest and outstanding academic promise in physics. Robert Penfield earned his PhD at Syracuse University in 1952. He dedicated the next 40 years to teaching and advising undergraduate students at ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ. When he joined the faculty, we were known as Harpur College, which was located in Endicott. When he retired, we were at ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ here in Vestal.
List of Faculty
Addendum: Updated sample schedules for BS Applied Physics and BS Degree-Mathematical Physics 6/19/2023