Physics (B.S., B.A.)
At-a-Glance
Minimum hours required for B.A. major: 76
Minimum hours required for B.S. major: 68
Minimum hours required for minor: 18
Advising: Call Dr. Kaufman 216-687-2436 or Dr. Walker 216-687-2424
A major or minor in physics will help you prepare for a wide range of careers in product development, research, teaching, and many other fields where you combine your knowledge of physics with other disciplines. The Physics Department offers you a choice of three undergraduate programs to suit your particular goals, interests and strengths:
Bachelor of Science: preparation for technical careers in industry and research centers and for graduate studies
Bachelor of Science Honors: preparation for careers in research and for doctoral studies in physics
Bachelor of Arts: preparation for careers in applied (engineering) physics, computer science, education, medicine, law, technical sales, scientific journalism or other fields where analytic skills and broad understanding of physics are important. Students majoring in Engineering or in Computer and Information Science (CIM and CIS calculus based; physics option) can earn the B.A. in Physics as an additional degree with a modest increase in course requirements.
Physics Minor: provides students majoring in other technical fields with additional skills, thus broadening their career options.
Required physics courses:
the following required physics courses:
Physics Electives
16 credits of physics electives to be selected from all the 300- and 400-level physics courses
Mathematics and computer science courses
the following required mathematics and computer science courses:
Chemistry with associated laboratory courses
introductory sequence of chemistry with associated laboratory courses
Biology with associated laboratory courses
introductory sequence of biology with associated laboratory courses
Computer and information science courses
the following computer and information science courses:
Upper-division credits
16 upper-division credits in a coherent program from a different discipline such as biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, environmental science, education or engineering. Program must be approved by the Physics Department adviser.
Note(s):
4 of the 32 credit hours (16 cr physics electives + 16 cr different discipline) have to be a 300 or 400 level lab course, approved by the Physics Department adviser.
