B.S. in Physics

Physics, the most fundamental of the sciences, deals with the behavior and interaction of matter, energy, space and time. It is in Physics where the basic concepts, laws and measuring techniques have been developed in the broad areas of mechanics, heat and thermodynamics; wave motion, acoustics, optics, electricity and magnetism; and the structure of matter. The concepts and techniques of Physics are the foundations of the other Sciences and of Engineering. Clarkson’s Physics curriculum has been designed to meet the following goals:

• Present the fundamental knowledge needed for professional work in industry or graduate
  school, while including many free electives.
• Offer a flexible curriculum to satisfy diverse career objectives and make it possible to double major in Physics and other fields.
• Provide plenty of opportunity to get involved in active research as an undergraduate.

A double major with physics at Clarkson can be completed within four years, and this is even easier for students coming in with AP or college-level credits. In addition to providing a flexible double major program, the Physics curriculum strongly emphasizes undergraduate research. All faculty members are actively engaged in research, much of it is a part of the Physics graduate program (offering M.S. and Ph.D. degrees). Usually students identify research projects in their areas of concentration and continue to work on the project until graduation. Often their research leads to publication in internationally recognized scientific journals. Check out the Physics Department’s Web site for more information about the Physics Program and the various research areas of the physics faculty: www.clarkson.edu/physics.

THREE-YEAR ACCELERATED DEGREE PROGRAM
This program is available to students who arrive at Clarkson University with excellent preparation from high school. Its challenging pace requires harder work than the standard program and special dedication, but offers the opportunity to complete a degree in a shortened time span. Students in this accelerated program can save educational costs and enter the job market a year earlier. Contact the Physics Department for a sample curriculum.

Requirements
	Cr. Hrs.		Cr. Hrs.
First-Year Seminar	1	Communications Elective (C2)	3
Clarkson Seminar	3	Knowledge Area and University
Physics1 (or equivalent)	35	Course Electives	15
Mathematics	18	Concentration Electives2	9
Chemistry	8	Information Technology Elective	3
Biology Elective	3	Technology Elective	3
		Free Electives (including one C1 course3)	19
		Total	120

Physics Curriculum
FIRST YEAR
First Semester			Second Semester
Course	Title	Cr. Hrs.	Course	Title	Cr. Hrs.
PH131	Physics I	4	PH132	Physics II	4
FY100	First-Year Seminar	1	MA132	Calculus II	3
MA131	Calculus I	3	CM132	Chemistry II	4
CM131	Chemistry I	4		KA Elective	3
PH121	Phy. Freshman Seminar	1
UNIV190	Clarkson Seminar	3			14
		16*
SOPHOMORE YEAR
First Semester			Second Semester
Course	Title	Cr. Hrs.	Course	Title	Cr. Hrs.
PH231	Modern Physics	3	PH221	Theoretical Mechanics	3
PH232	Modern Physics Lab	1	MA231	Calculus III	3
MA232	Differential Equations	3		Free Elective (C1 or C2)	3
	Biology Elective	3		KA/UC Elective	3
	KA/UC Elective	3		Communication Elective (C2)	3
	Information Tech. Elective	3
					15
		16
JUNIOR YEAR
First Semester			Second Semester
Course	Title	Cr. Hrs.	Course	Title	Cr. Hrs.
PH325	Thermal Physics	3	PH331	Quantum Physics I	3
PH380	Electromagnetic Theory I	3		Free Elective	3
MA381	Probability	3	MA331	Fourier-Series and
	Concentration Elective	3		Boundary Value Problems	3
	KA/UC Elective	3	PH327	Exper. Phys. I	3
				Free Elective
		15		(recommended PH381)	3
					15
SENIOR YEAR
First Semester			Second Semester
Course	Title	Cr. Hrs.	Course	Title	Cr. Hrs.
PH	Elective (recomm. PH432)	3		Concentration Elective	3
PH435	Senior Seminar	1		Technology Elective	3
	KA/UC Elective	3		Free Electives	9
	Concentration Elective	3
PH	Professional Elective	3			15
	Free Electives	1
		14

* Some non-credit courses in physical education, aerospace studies and/or military science might be required for graduation.

1. Including the core courses PH131, PH132, PH221, PH231, PH232, PH325, PH327, PH380 and at least one Professional Course selected from PH445, PH446, PH470-471, and PH474-477.
2. All of these must be in one area outside of Physics; an area need not be a department.
3. At least one of the free electives should be a [C1] or [C2] designated Communication Intensive Course unless a [C1] course is already included in the Biology or Concentration electives.

Students in the Class of 2010 and later — see academic requirements for details of the Clarkson Common Experience including the First-Year Seminar, the Clarkson Seminar, Knowledge Area (KA) courses, University Courses (UC), and related requirements.

Physics Courses
Not all courses are offered each year or each semester (see annual Courses publication).
UNDERGRADUATE COURSES