SU Physics Bachelor of the Arts

Bachelor of the Arts| Bachelor of Science| Bachelor of Science Premedical | Engineering Physics

The specific objectives of the Bachelor of Arts Degree are to foster an understanding of the core areas of physics and encourage analytical and computational skills in the advanced courses. Mechanics describes how objects, ranging from atoms to galaxies, move and lays down the groundwork of "thinking physics." Electromagnetism covers the unification of electricity, magnetism, and light and touches on the workings of basic circuitry. Quantum mechanics introduces the extraordinary and strange properties of atoms and subatomic particles, also covering the workings of lasers and the transparency of solids.

At Syracuse, the B.A. degree has highly flexible requirements. The B.A. requires 30 credit hours of physics coursework. Four specific introductory courses (15 credits) are required: General Physics I and II, Modern Physics, and Experimental Physics I. Your program must also include 11 additional credit hours of upper division physics courses (numbered 300 or higher). All students will need one year of calculus; most students will also need additional courses in calculus and in differential equations as prerequisites to upper division physics courses. The flexibility of the remaining 15 credits of 300-level or greater courses allows for a student to focus on a subject of interest, such as classical, pre-medical, or computational physics.

The B.A. degree in physics is an important accomplishment for students considering careers in widely varying areas including law, journalism, medicine, finance, teaching, and computational science. In these fields as well as in science a liberal education incorporating serious study of physics is an asset.

For more information, see "Contact".

Courses in red are required courses.

Sample Course Sequence for Bachelor of the Arts
Time	Prefix	Credits	Full Name	Notes
Sophomore
Fall	PHY 211	3	General Physics I	PHY 215 is the honors and majors version of PHY 211. It is taught in a small class format and emphasizes contemporary research topics.
	PHY 221	1	Physics Lab
	MAT 295	4	Calculus I
Spring	PHY 212	3	General Physics II	PHY 216 is the honors and majors version of PHY 212. It is taught in a small class format and emphasizes contemporary research topics.
	PHY 222	1	Physics Lab II
	MAT 296	4	Calculus II
Junior
Fall	PHY 361	3	Modern Physics
	MAT 397	4	Calculus III
	PHY 307	3	Science and Computers	PHY317 (Astrophysics, Fall), PHY319 (Astrobiology, Fall), PHY312 (Relativity & Cosmology, Spring), or other elective may be used
	ELE 291, ELE 231	3	Electrical Engineering I	ELE 291 (circuits laboratory) is recommended, but not required for the B.A. degree. ELE 231 is a co-requisite lecture course on circuits; if desired, physics majors can gain approval to take ELE 291 without taking ELE 231.
	PHY 250	1	Physics Journal Workshop
Spring	PHY 344	4	Experimental Physics I
	PHY 322	3	Mechanics I
	MAT 485	3	Differential Equations and Matrix Algebra	MAT 485 is a pre-requisite for PHY 567.
Senior
Fall	PHY 424/ ELE 324	3	Electromagnetism I
Fall	PHY 531	3	Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics
Spring	PHY 567	4	Quantum Mechanics I
	PHY 567	4	Quantum Mechanics I
	PHY 462	4	Experimental Physics II

Department of Physics Syracuse University
201 Physics Building Syracuse, NY 13244-1130
Phone (315) 443-3901 Fax (315) 443-9103 E-mail physics@phy.syr.edu