Physics (PHYS), Astronomy (ASTR) and Engineering Science (ENGR) Undergraduate Programs

324 ROBERT H. WICK SCIENCE BUILDING/(320) 308-2011
www.stcloudstate.edu/physics

Also see College of Science and Engineering description and requirements.

Chairperson: Kevin L. Haglin
Faculty: Bigelow, Dalton, Haglin, Harlander, Hirai, S. Kalia, Lidberg, Liu, D. L. Williams, Womack

Physics is a human activity dedicated to observing nature and to organizing these observations into fundamental concepts. Such concepts form not only the basis of physics but also provide the foundation upon which the important principles of the other sciences and engineering fields are based. Consequently, appropriate familiarity with physics is required in many pre-professional programs and other science and engineering programs. Physics successfully describes the fundamental properties and interactions of all forms of matter through four fundamental forces.

Students majoring in physics are trained very broadly as problem solvers and are therefore immediately employable in a variety of industrial and technically sophisticated research and development settings. A sizable fraction of the students majoring in this department go to graduate programs in physics, astronomy or related fields. In addition to providing graduate and professional preparation, this department also supports a program to prepare secondary school teachers.

While a variety of specialized directions are possible within the department (see below for detailed information on specialized fields), the areas of specific emphasis in the department are optics and astronomy where students have opportunity to undertake several upper-division specialized courses directly related to current developments in those fields. Majoring in physics and astronomy at SCSU is not only about learning the core concepts and gaining tools for future projects and applications, but is also about using those tools in advanced courses and research along the way.

High school algebra and trigonometry (MATH 072 and 113) are prerequisites for students majoring or minoring in physics. Admission to any of the physics majors or minors requires a 2.5 grade point average in all PHYS, ASTR, and ENGR courses (with the exeception of general education courses), completion of PHYS 235, and a 2.5 overall grade point average.

The Upper Division Writing Requirement for programs leading to degrees in Bachelor of Science Physics, Bachelor of Science-Science Teaching, Physics Emphasis, and Bachelor of Elective Studies Physics, is fulfilled by successfully completing PHYS 430.

Bachelor of Science

Physics Core Courses (67-68)
PHYS 234(5), 235(5), 328(3), 329(3), 333(3), 338(4), 346(3), 430(2), 431(3), 440(4), ENGR 332(3), 334(3) MATH 221(5), 222(4), 312(4), 321(4), 325(3), CHEM 210(4); CSCI 260(2) or ECE 102(3)

Physics Comprehensive Major (76-77)
Students may complete the 76-77 credit major by taking all of the core courses above, plus at least 9 credits from one of the tracks listed below, but no more than 3 credits of PHYS 415.

Professional Physics Track: PHYS 415, 450-455; ENGR 335; MATH 427.
Astrophysics Track: PHYS 415, ASTR 311, 312, 323, 427; ENGR 447, MATH 427; EAS 429, 435. At least 6 credits must be ASTR.
Engineering Science Track: PHYS 415; ENGR 241, 335, 341, 425; ECE 201.
Mathematical Physics Track: PHYS 415, 450-455; MATH 423, 427, 461.
Electro-optics Track: PHYS 445 and at least six credits from the following: PHYS 415, 435, 436; ENGR 425, 447.
Self Selection Track: At least 9 credits selected under the supervision of the physics major adviser. Courses must be selected from departments within the College of Science and Engineering.

Physics Minor (34)
PHYS 234, 235, 328, 329, 430; ENGR 332; MATH 221, 222;
PHYS, ASTR or ENGR electives at 300 level or higher (4)

Optics Minor (34-35)
Required courses: MATH 221, 222; PHYS 234, 235, 333; ENGR 332 or ECE 381. Three elective courses chosen from the following list: ECE 391 or PHYS 338; PHYS 435, 436, 445; ENGR 425, 447. Not available to physics majors.

Bachelor of Science - Science Teaching, Physics Emphasis

The following program prepares candidates to apply for a physics teaching licensure in Minnesota. This licensure permits the teaching of all science disciplines 5-8, plus integrated science and physics 9-12. Students planning to teach physics should contact an adviser at the earliest opportunity.

Science Core:
ASTR 205, BIOL 151, 152, CHEM 210, 211, EAS 205, PHYS 234, 235, SCI 420, 430, 440

Physics Emphasis:
ENGR 332, MATH 221, 222, PHYS 328, 329, 430 or 415 (2 cr.)
Any one of the following: ASTR 311, 312, 323, 427, ENGR 334, PHYS 333, 346

Bachelor of Elective Studies

Major (56)
PHYS 234, 235, 328, 329, 430; MATH 221, 222, 312; CHEM 210. One additional 3 Cr. course at the 300 level or higher from PHYS, ASTR, or ENGR; 18 additional elective credits, selected under the supervision of a physics major adviser from courses at the 200 level or above in the College of Science and Engineering.