Physics
Department of Physics
College of Arts and Sciences
239 Fronczak Hall
North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260-1500
Phone: 716.645.2017
Fax: 716.645.2057
Web: www.physics.buffalo.edu
Francis Gasparini
Chair
Michael G. Fuda
Director of Undergraduate Studies
fuda@buffalo.edu
About the Program
Physics is the fundamental science underlying the investigation of all natural phenomena. It has provided much of the theory and many of the experimental techniques that are widely used in present-day science and technology. The impressive list of developments that have come directly from physics includes: solid-state electronics; lasers and masers; the nuclear magnetic resonance techniques used in biology, chemistry, and medicine; X-ray crystallography; electron microscopy; and superconductivity.
Physics has also provided a stimulus to philosophy and to the general development of the ideas that seek to explain our relation to the rest of the universe.
Degree Options
The Department of Physics offers a BS, a BA, and a minor in physics. There are also several interdisciplinary programs: two BA’s in the teaching of science, a BS in computational physics, a BS in mathematical physics, and a BS in engineering physics (see individual entries for engineering physics and for computational physics in this catalog).
The BS in physics is designed for the student considering a professional career as a physicist. This degree is strongly recommended for students planning to continue their education in graduate school at the MS or PhD level. It is also recommended for students who wish to obtain industrial employment in research and development.
The BA in physics is designed for students who are interested in physics, but wish to have a broader education in their undergraduate years. Students who complete this program have enough background to go on to graduate school in physics, but the program is more appropriate for students who wish to continue in such areas as geophysics, biophysics, science and public policy, and high school teaching.
The minor in physics provides a good secondary area of concentration for all students in science and engineering, as well as students in such programs as philosophy, history, and the arts.
The BA’s in the teaching of science provide enough background in physics and mathematics, and possibly chemistry, to make it possible to do an outstanding job of teaching physics, or physics and chemistry, at the high school level. It is not appropriate for students who wish to do graduate work in physics; however, it is appropriate for graduate work in education.
The BS degrees in computational physics, mathematical physics, and engineering physics are jointly administered programs. The computational physics program is offered jointly by the Department of Physics and the Department of Computer Science and Engineering. This degree makes it possible to pursue a number of career options, including research in traditional areas of physics with an emphasis on computation, educational software development, and distance learning technology. Also available is a 5-year-combined BS in Computational Physics/MS in Physics degree program. This program includes an undergraduate emphasis on computational physics plus graduate coursework in physics, resulting in a combined BS/MS.
The Mathematical Physics program is co-administered by the Department of Mathematics and the Department of Physics. It is designed for students who wish to pursue careers in applied mathematics or theoretical physics.
The Engineering Physics program is co-administered by the Department of Electrical Engineering and the Department of Physics. It is designed for students whose interests center on the more fundamental areas of engineering and physics, but who also seek additional contact with applied aspects of these subjects. The Engineering Physics program is an appropriate course of study for students whose career objectives are in applied physics, physical electronics, solid-state electronics, electrical metrology, laser physics, and related fields. Graduates of the Engineering Physics program can pursue an advanced degree in applied physics or electrical engineering.
Acceptance Information
It is necessary to apply for acceptance into any of the above programs. The acceptance criteria for students who have completed the relevant coursework at UB are given with the summaries for each degree program. In general, it is possible to apply for any of the programs in the sophomore year.
Advisement
For general information about the programs in physics, students should consult with the undergraduate director for physics, Professor Michael G. Fuda, 333 Fronczak Hall, (716) 645-2017, ext. 192, e-mail: fuda@buffalo.edu.
Transfer Policy
1. Transfer students from accredited institutions are granted admission to the Department of Physics if they satisfy the following requirements with a minimum overall GPA of 2.0:
a. one-year calculus-based physics course similar to PHY 107-PHY 108/PHY 158
b. one-year calculus course similar to MTH 141-MTH 142
2. For transfer students with more than the minimum coursework listed in (1) above, admission is granted if the student has a minimum GPA of 2.0 in all physics and mathematics courses previously attempted.
3. Academic transfer credit is granted for physics and mathematics courses completed with a grade of C or better that are suitable to the department’s degree programs.
Honors, Awards, and Scholarships
To graduate with departmental honors, a student must excel in coursework and complete a senior thesis. The designations given below are awarded to students who have the corresponding GPAs in courses required for the Department of Physics degree programs and who have completed a senior thesis:
Distinction 3.25
High honors 3.50
Highest honors 3.75
The senior thesis is prepared under the supervision of a physics faculty member. Credit for this is obtained through PHY 498 Honors Program. The thesis is reviewed by the Undergraduate Studies Committee.
Physics - B.S.
Acceptance Criteria
Minimum GPA of 2.0 in the prerequisite courses.
Prerequisite Courses
MTH 141 College Calculus I
MTH 142 College Calculus II
PHY 107 General Physics I or PHY 117 Honors Physics I
PHY 108 General Physics II or PHY 118 Honors Physics II
PHY 158 General Physics II Lab
Required Courses
CHE 101 General Chemistry
CHE 102 General Chemistry
MTH 241 College Calculus III
MTH 306 Introduction to Differential Equations
MTH 417 Survey of Multivariable Calculus
MTH 418 Survey of Partial Differential Equations
PHY 207 General Physics III or PHY 217 Honors Physics III
PHY 208 General Physics IV
PHY 257 General Physics III Lab
PHY 301 Intermediate Mechanics I
PHY 302 Intermediate Mechanics II
PHY 307 Modern Physics Lab
PHY 401 Modern Physics I
PHY 402 Modern Physics II
PHY 403 Electricity and Magnetism I
PHY 404 Electricity and Magnetism II
PHY 405 Thermal and Statistical Physics I
PHY 406 Thermal and Statistical Physics II
PHY 407 Advanced Laboratory
PHY 408 Advanced Laboratory
One PHY elective (one of the following: PHY 310 Intermediate Optics, PHY 410 Computational Physics I, PHY 412 Nuclear and Particle Physics, PHY 413 Electronics)
Summary
Total required credit hours for the major: 85
See Baccalaureate Degree Requirements for general education and remaining university requirements.
Recommended Sequence of Program Requirements
FIRST YEAR
Fall—CHE 101, MTH 141
Spring—CHE 102, MTH 142; PHY 107 or PHY 117
SECOND YEAR
Fall—MTH 241; PHY 108 or PHY 118; PHY 158
Spring—MTH 306; PHY 207 or PHY 217; PHY 208, PHY 257
THIRD YEAR
Fall—MTH 417, PHY 301, PHY 307, PHY 401
Spring—MTH 418, PHY 302, PHY 402
FOURTH YEAR
Fall—PHY 403, PHY 405, PHY 407
Spring—PHY 404, PHY 406, PHY 408
Fall or Spring—One PHY elective
Mathematical Physics - B.S.
Acceptance Criteria
Minimum GPA of 2.5 in the prerequisite courses.
Advising Notes
Separate applications must be submitted to both the Department of Mathematics and the Department of Physics.
Admission to this program is by departmental approval only. See the director of undergraduate studies regarding approval. Students should consult with the undergraduate director in each department regarding approved electives.
This is a joint program. A student who follows this program but does not complete it will have difficulty completing a math major without substantial additional coursework.
Prerequisite Courses
MTH 141 College Calculus I
MTH 142 College Calculus II
PHY 107 General Physics I or PHY 117 Honors Physics I
PHY 108 General Physics II or PHY 118 Honors Physics II
PHY 158 General Physics II Lab
Required Courses
MTH 241 College Calculus III
MTH 306 Introduction to Differential Equations
MTH 309 Introductory Linear Algebra
MTH 417 Survey of Multivariable Calculus
MTH 418 Survey of Partial Differential Equations
MTH 419 Introduction to Algebra I or MTH 420 Introduction to Algebra II
MTH 424 Fourier Series
MTH 425 Introduction to Complex Variables I
PHY 207 General Physics III or PHY 217 Honors Physics III
PHY 208 General Physics IV
PHY 257 General Physics III Lab
PHY 301 Intermediate Mechanics I
PHY 307 Modern Physics Lab
PHY 401 Modern Physics I
PHY 403 Electricity and Magnetism I
PHY 405 Thermal and Statistical Physics I
PHY 407 Advanced Laboratory or PHY 408 Advanced Laboratory
One 300/400-level MTH elective
One PHY elective (one of the following: PHY 302 Intermediate Mechanics II, PHY 402 Modern Physics II, PHY 404 Electricity and Magnetism II, or PHY 406 Thermal and Statistical Physics II)
Summary
Total required credit hours for the major: 81
See Baccalaureate Degree Requirements for general education and remaining university requirements.
Recommended Sequence of Program Requirements
FIRST YEAR
Fall—MTH 141
Spring—MTH 142; PHY 107 or PHY 117
SECOND YEAR
Fall—MTH 241; PHY 108 or PHY 118; PHY 158
Spring—MTH 306, MTH 309; PHY 207 or PHY 217; PHY 208, PHY 257
THIRD YEAR
Fall—MTH 417, PHY 301, PHY 307, PHY 401
Spring—MTH 418, one PHY elective
FOURTH YEAR
Fall—MTH 419 or MTH 420; MTH 425, PHY 403, PHY 405
Spring—MTH 424; PHY 407 or PHY 408; one 300/400-level MTH elective
Physics - B.A.
Acceptance Criteria
Minimum GPA of 2.0 in the prerequisite courses.
Prerequisite Courses
MTH 141 College Calculus I
MTH 142 College Calculus II
PHY 107 General Physics I or PHY 117 Honors Physics I
PHY 108 General Physics II or PHY 118 Honors Physics II
PHY 158 General Physics II Lab
Required Courses
CHE 101 General Chemistry
CHE 102 General Chemistry
MTH 241 College Calculus III
MTH 306 Introduction to Differential Equations
PHY 207 General Physics III or PHY 217 Honors Physics III
PHY 208 General Physics IV
PHY 257 General Physics III Lab
PHY 301 Intermediate Mechanics I
PHY 307 Modern Physics Lab
PHY 401 Modern Physics I
PHY 402 Modern Physics II
PHY 403 Electricity and Magnetism I
PHY 405 Thermal and Statistical Physics I
PHY 407 Advanced Laboratory or PHY 408 Advanced Laboratory
Two PHY electives (choose from PHY 302 Intermediate Mechanics II, PHY 310 Intermediate Optics, PHY 404 Electricity and Magnetism II, PHY 410 Computational Physics I, PHY 413 Electronics)
One additional 300/400-level PHY course (excluding PHY 499)
Summary
Total required credit hours for this major: 72
See Baccalaureate Degree Requirements for general education and remaining university requirements.
Recommended Sequence of Program Requirements
FIRST YEAR
Fall—CHE 101, MTH 141
Spring— CHE 102, MTH 142; PHY 107 or PHY 117
SECOND YEAR
Fall— MTH 241; PHY 108 or PHY 118; PHY 158
Spring— MTH 306; PHY 207 or PHY 217; PHY 208, PHY 257
THIRD YEAR
Fall—PHY 301, PHY 307, PHY 401
Spring—PHY 402, one 300/400-level PHY course (excluding PHY 499)
FOURTH YEAR
Fall—PHY 403, PHY 405
Spring—PHY 407 or PHY 408; two PHY electives
Physics-Teaching of Science Program - B.A.
About the Programs
Students pursuing this program must also pursue the Undergraduate Minor in Education, which is administered by the Teacher Education Institute (TEI). Applications to the minor must be filed with the TEI office in 375 Baldy Hall. Applications must include a UB DARS report and/or official transcripts from all other institutions attended other than UB.
These concentrations are designed for the student whose career goal is to attain a master's degree for Professional certification in science education. Students interested in this concentration should obtain advisement from the director of undergraduate studies in physics and, for questions related to the education courses, from the TEI office.
Completion of the major concentration (including the required education courses) provides advanced status toward Initial New York State teacher certification, accomplished through one year of subsequent coursework at the graduate level through the Graduate School of Education. It is then possible to complete, within the state-mandated three years, the master's degree required for a Professional teaching certificate, provided all New York State requirements have been successfully completed.
Acceptance Criteria
Minimum GPA of 2.0 in the prerequisite courses. TEI requires a minimum GPA of 2.5 overall for admission.
Teaching of Science - Physics
Prerequisite Courses
MTH 141 College Calculus I
MTH 142 College Calculus II
PHY 107 General Physics I or PHY 117 Honors Physics I
PHY 108 General Physics II or PHY 118 Honors Physics II
PHY 158 General Physics II Lab
Required Courses
CHE 101 General Chemistry
CHE 102 General Chemistry
MTH 241 College Calculus III
MTH 306 Introduction to Differential Equations
PHY 207 General Physics III or PHY 217 Honors Physics III
PHY 208 General Physics IV
PHY 257 General Physics III Lab
PHY 307 Modern Physics Lab
Four 300/400-level PHY electives (excluding PHY 499)
Summary
Total required credit hours for the major: 57
See Baccalaureate Degree Requirements for general education and remaining university requirements.
Recommended Sequence of Program Requirements
FIRST YEAR
Fall—CHE 101, MTH 141
Spring— CHE 102, MTH 142; PHY 107 or PHY 117
SECOND YEAR
Fall— MTH 241; PHY 108 or PHY 118; PHY 158
Spring— MTH 306; PHY 207 or PHY 217; PHY 208, PHY 257
THIRD YEAR
Fall— PHY 307, one 300/400-level PHY elective (excluding PHY 499)
Spring—One 300/400-level PHY electives (excluding PHY 499)
FOURTH YEAR
Fall—One 300–level elective (excluding PHY 499)
Spring— One 300-level elective (excluding PHY 499)
Teaching of Science - Physics and Chemistry
Prerequisite Courses
MTH 141 College Calculus I
MTH 142 College Calculus II
PHY 107 General Physics I or PHY 117 Honors Physics I
PHY 108 General Physics II or PHY 118 Honors Physics II
PHY 158 General Physics II Lab
Required Courses
CHE 101 General Chemistry
CHE 102 General Chemistry
CHE 201 Organic Chemistry
CHE 202 Organic Chemistry
CHE 214 Introduction to Analytical Chemistry
MTH 241 College Calculus III
MTH 306 Introduction to Differential Equations
PHY 207 General Physics III or PHY 217 Honors Physics III
PHY 208 General Physics IV
PHY 257 General Physics III Lab
PHY 307 Modern Physics Lab
Two 300/400-level PHY electives (excluding PHY 499)
Summary
Total required credit hours for the major: 64
See Baccalaureate Degree Requirements for general education and remaining university requirements.
Recommended Sequence of Program Requirements
FIRST YEAR
Fall—CHE 101, MTH 141
Spring— CHE 102, MTH 142; PHY 107 or PHY 117
SECOND YEAR
Fall— MTH 241; PHY 108 or PHY 118; PHY 158
Spring— MTH 306; PHY 207 or PHY 217; PHY 208, PHY 257
THIRD YEAR
Fall—CHE 201, CHE 214, PHY 307
Spring—CHE 202
FOURTH YEAR
Fall—One 300/400-level PHY elective (excluding PHY 499)
Spring—One 300/400-level PHY elective (excluding PHY 499)
Computational Physics - B.S./M.S.
About the Program
This interdisciplinary program is offered jointly by the Departments of Physics (PHY) and Computer Science and Engineering (CSE). For further information, see the Computational Physics entry.
Engineering Physics - B.S.
About the Program
This interdisciplinary program is offered jointly by the Departments of Physics (PHY) and Electrical Engineering (EE). For further information, see the Engineering Physics entry.
Physics - Minor
Acceptance Criteria
Minimum GPA of 2.0 in the prerequisite courses.
Prerequisite Courses
MTH 141 College Calculus I
MTH 142 College Calculus II
PHY 107 General Physics I or PHY 117 Honors Physics I
PHY 108 General Physics II or PHY 118 Honors Physics II
PHY 158 General Physics II Lab
Required Courses
PHY 207 General Physics III or PHY 217 Honors Physics III (lab is not required)
PHY 208 General Physics IV (lab is not required)
PHY 301 Intermediate Mechanics I
PHY 403 Electricity and Magnetism I
One 300/400-level PHY elective course (excluding PHY 499; PHY 401 Modern Physics I is strongly recommended)
Summary
Total required credit hours for the minor: 33
Course Descriptions
PHY 100 Introduction to PhysicsCredits: 1 | PHY 101 College PhysicsCredits: 4 | |
PHY 102 College Physics IICredits: 4 | PHY 107 General Physics ICredits: 4 | |
PHY 108 General Physics IICredits: 4 | PHY 115 Relativity Seminar for NonspecialistsCredits: 3 | |
PHY 116 Philosophy of PhysicsCredits: 3 | PHY 117 Honors Physics ICredits: 4 | |
PHY 118 Honors Physics IICredits: 4 | PHY 119 How Things WorkCredits: 3 | |
PHY 121 Descriptive Astronomy ICredits: 3 - 4 | PHY 122 Descriptive Astronomy IICredits: 3 - 4 | |
PHY 151 College Physics I LabCredits: 1 | PHY 152 College Physics II LabCredits: 1 | |
PHY 158 General Physics II LabCredits: 1 | PHY 207 General Physics IIICredits: 4 | |
PHY 208 General Physics IVCredits: 3 | PHY 217 Honors Physics IIICredits: 3 | |
PHY 257 General Physics III LabCredits: 1 | PHY 286 Maple in PhysicsCredits: 1 | |
PHY 301 Intermediate Mechanics ICredits: 3 | PHY 302 Intermediate Mechanics IICredits: 3 | |
PHY 307 Modern Physics LabCredits: 2 | PHY 310 Intermediate OpticsCredits: 3 | |
PHY 311 Applied Acoustics of MusicCredits: 3 | PHY 386 Maple in PhysicsCredits: 1 | |
PHY 401 Modern Physics ICredits: 3 | PHY 402 Modern Physics IICredits: 3 | |
PHY 403 Electricity and Magnetism ICredits: 3 | PHY 404 Electricity and Magnetism IICredits: 3 | |
PHY 405 Thermal and Statistical Physics ICredits: 3 | PHY 406 Thermal and Statistical Physics IICredits: 3 | |
PHY 407 Advanced LaboratoryCredits: 3 | PHY 408 Advanced LaboratoryCredits: 3 | |
PHY 410 Computational Physics ICredits: 3 | PHY 411 Computational Physics IICredits: 3 | |
PHY 412 Nuclear and Particle PhysicsCredits: 3 | PHY 413 ElectronicsCredits: 3 | |
PHY 414 Experimental TechniquesCredits: 2 - 3 | PHY 415 Experimental TechniquesCredits: 2 - 3 | |
PHY 498 HonorsCredits: 3 | PHY 499 Independent Study in PhysicsCredits: 1 - 4 | |
Updated: Nov 16, 2005 10:50:03 AM