About the Program
The physics B.S. program gives a broad background in the fundamental concepts and applications of physics. This background is appropriate for further study in graduate school, or for scientific employment in physics or physics-related fields.
Students in this program may pursue a four-year physics degree or they may choose the "three-two" option.
Transfer students must take a minimum of 8 credit hours of upper-division courses, including PHY 410, in the Buffalo State Physics Department.
"Three-Two" Physics Engineering Option
This program offers an ideal combination of basic and applied science. Students in the Cooperative ("Three-Two") Physics-Engineering program attend Buffalo State for three years pursuing a liberal arts curriculum in physics. After three years, students in good standing transfer to the engineering school of their choice and complete the requirements for an engineering degree in two more years. Engineering schools to which students in the program have transferred in the last two years include Binghamton University and the University at Buffalo (both SUNY universities), and Clarkson University.
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/
Admission Requirements
Mathematics preparation through precalculus is required.
Learning Outcomes
Students will demonstrate:
1. ability to communicate clearly using the vocabulary and concepts of physics.
2. ability to solve conceptual and quantitative problems in physics at an undergraduate level.
3. understanding of laboratory skills used in physics laboratory exercises.
4. ability to write algorithms in a computational language using common software.
5. an understanding of keeping an accurate and legible laboratory notebook.
6. ability to analyze and evaluate experimental data.
7. mastery of the subject matter in Classical Mechanics, Electricity & Magnetism, and Quantum Mechanics.
8. adequate technical report writing skills.
9. adequate oral presentation skills.
Program Requirements
General Education 23 Requirements
33 credit hours 33
Physics Major Requirements (44 credit hours)
Required Core Courses (26 credit hours)
PHY 111 UNIVERSITY PHYSICS I 5
PHY 112 UNIVERSITY PHYSICS II 5
PHY 213 UNIVERSITY PHYSICS III 3
PHY 214 OPTICS AND HEAT LABORATORY 1
PHY 305 MODERN PHYSICS I 3
PHY 306 MODERN PHYSICS II 3
PHY 310 COMPUTATIONAL PHYSICS LABORATORY 3
PHY 320 INTRODUCTION TO THEORETICAL PHYSICS 3
Additional Required Courses for the "Three-Two" Option (9 credit hours)
PHY 324 ELECTRIC CIRCUIT ANALYSIS 3
PHY 410 ADVANCED PHYSICS LABORATORY 3
PHY 440 ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM I 3
Plus 10 credit hours of engineering courses, transferred from engineering school 10
Additional Required Courses for Four-Year Physics B.S.-Only Degree (18 credit hours)
PHY 324 ELECTRIC CIRCUIT ANALYSIS 3
PHY 410 ADVANCED PHYSICS LABORATORY 3
PHY 425 CLASSICAL MECHANICS 4
PHY 435 INTRODUCTION TO QUANTUM MECHANICS 3
PHY 440 ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM I 3
PHY 441 ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM II 3
Required Credit Hours Outside the Major (26 credit hours)
CHE 111 FUNDAMENTALS OF CHEMISTRY I 3
CHE 112 FUNDAMENTALS OF CHEMISTRY II 3
CHE 113 LABORATORY FOR FUNDAMENTALS OF CHEMISTRY I 1
CHE 114 LABORATORY FOR FUNDAMENTALS OF CHEMISTRY II 1
MAT 161 CALCULUS I 4
MAT 162 CALCULUS II 4
MAT 163 USING TECHNOLOGY TO EXPLORE CALCULUS I 1
MAT 164 USING TECHNOLOGY TO EXPLORE CALCULUS II 1
MAT 263 CALCULUS III 4
MAT 264 USING TECHNOLOGY TO EXPLORE CALCULUS III 1
MAT 315 DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS 3
All College Electives
17 credit hours 17
Total Credit Hours 120