Degree Requirements
Physics Studies
Summer Research. The department encourages physics students to apply for summer research grants. Recent students have been accepted at the University of Alaska, Pennsylvania State University and Brookhaven National Laboratory. Academic year internship and research opportunities are also valuable, but more difficult to arrange.
Requirements for the Major in Physics. Susquehanna offers both B.A. and B.S. programs in physics. The department strongly recommends the B.S. program for students interested in graduate school or industrial employment. Majors can pursue an interdisciplinary interest, such as biophysics, by carefully choosing electives. The B.A. is a good choice for students preparing to teach secondary school.
The B.S. degree requires the following courses completed with grades of C- or better:
semester hours
32 |
semester hours in physics, including PHYS:204–205 and PHYS:301–302 |
20 |
semester hours in mathematics with |
|
(all courses from MATH-111 Calculus I up to and including MATH:353 Differential Equations) |
12 |
additional hours in approved biology, chemistry, earth and environmental sciences, mathematics or computer science courses |
The B.A. degree requires the following courses completed with grades of C- or better:
semester hours
32 |
semester hours in physics, including PHYS:204–205 and PHYS:301–302 |
16 |
semester hours in mathematics courses consisting of MATH-111 Calculus I, MATH-112 Calculus II, MATH-201 Linear Algebra, and MATH-211 Multivariable Calculus |
12 |
semester hours from related departments |
Minor in Physics. Students consult with their major advisor and a physics faculty member to design minor programs. The minor requires, with grades of C- or better, 18 semester hours in physics including PHYS:204–205. Suggested additional courses for computer science majors are PHYS:103–104 and PHYS:303. Suggestions for mathematics majors are PHYS:301–302 and PHYS:401.
Honors. The departmental honors program recognizes superior work in the physics courses. To enter the program, majors must do the following:
- write a request to the department one month before senior registration,
- maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA and a 3.25 GPA in physics, and
- demonstrate scholarly work in the field by completing at least 4 semester hours of PHYS:550 Research or PHYS:500 Independent Study.
Teaching Certification. Students interested in elementary or secondary education as a career must meet certain state-mandated requirements. Additional information is available in the Department of Education section of the catalog.
