About the Program

Physics helps students understand the world; it is the most basic and fundamental science. In addition, physics provides the basis of many other sciences, including chemistry, oceanography, seismology, and astronomy (and it can be applied to biology or medical science). The physics minor provides an excellent way for mathematics-minded students to enhance their undergraduate experience.

About the Physics Department

162 Science and Math Complex
1300 Elmwood Ave
Buffalo, NY 14222
Phone: (716) 878-6726
Fax: (716) 878-4421
https://physics.buffalostate.edu/

Program Requirements

Required Courses (19-21 credit hours)
PHY 111 UNIVERSITY PHYSICS I 5
or PHY 107 GENERAL PHYSICS I
PHY 112 UNIVERSITY PHYSICS II 4-5
or PHY 108 GENERAL PHYSICS II
PHY 213 UNIVERSITY PHYSICS III 3
PHY 214 OPTICS AND HEAT LABORATORY 1
PHY 305 MODERN PHYSICS I 3
PHY 307 MODERN PHYSICS LABORATORY 2

Electives (3 credit hours)
Select from the following: 3
PHY 306 MODERN PHYSICS II
PHY 308 OPTICS
PHY 310 COMPUTATIONAL PHYSICS LABORATORY
PHY 315 HEAT AND THERMODYNAMICS
PHY 320 INTRODUCTION TO THEORETICAL PHYSICS
PHY 323 STATICS
PHY 324 ELECTRIC CIRCUIT ANALYSIS
PHY 410 ADVANCED PHYSICS LABORATORY
PHY 495 SPECIAL PROJECT (1-3)

Required credit hours outside the minor (16-18 credit hours)
MAT 161 CALCULUS I
& MAT 163 USING TECHNOLOGY TO EXPLORE CALCULUS I (4-5)
or MAT 126 APPLIED CALCULUS I

MAT 162 CALCULUS II
& MAT 164 USING TECHNOLOGY TO EXPLORE CALCULUS II (4-5)

or MAT 127 APPLIED CALCULUS II

CHE 111 FUNDAMENTALS OF CHEMISTRY I
& CHE 113 LABORATORY FOR FUNDAMENTALS OF CHEMISTRY I (4)

CHE 112 FUNDAMENTALS OF CHEMISTRY II
& CHE 114 LABORATORY FOR FUNDAMENTALS OF CHEMISTRY II (4)

Total Credit Hours 19-21