BS in Physics

Physicists study and apply the laws of nature to answer fundamental questions about the nature of light and matter in order to understand how the universe behaves. The Physics program curriculum focuses on scientific investigation, laboratory experience and research opportunities to give you hands-on experience in the field of physics. The Department of Physics offers five concentrations for Physics majors: Standard, Computational Physics, Engineering Physics, Interdisciplinary Physics, and Teacher of Physics: Secondary Level. Learning Outcomes - Students will be able to: Develop simple mathematical models to describe collected data or observations. Apply general principles, such as conservation of energy and momentum, to complex systems that require the use of more than one branch of physics. Give oral presentations of problem solutions or research projects that combine formal mathematical material with computer generated graphics and verbal explanations in a manner that makes the topic accessible to their peers. Write lab reports that effectively integrate text, data analysis, and graphics into a document that adequately explains the procedures and supports the stated conclusions. Chart out and successfully execute the solution to complex problems that require a multi-step process to solve. Choose and utilize appropriate formal mathematical techniques in solving problems in physics. Use software packages such as Matlab or Mathematical to solve and visualize more advanced problems in physics. Specifically, they should be able to use two and three-dimensional graphics routines, produce simple animations, and use basic numerical algorithms to solve ordinary differential equations or estimate definite integrals. Execute basic laboratory techniques and estimate the precision of the resulting measurements using the appropriate data analysis techniques. Defend a particular viewpoint or provide an accessible summary of existing viewpoints for the general public of scientific issues that have environmental, social, or ethical implications. Master key laboratory techniques utilized in their projects. Master key mathematical and numerical techniques utilized in their projects. Work independently on a research problem. Develop experimental techniques and numerical algorithms for their projects with limited guidance. Produce a written thesis that effectively integrates formal mathematical analysis, graphics, and text into a document that is accessible to their peers. Give an oral presentation that explains and summarizes the major aspects of their research project to an audience of peers. The presentation should make effective use of computer graphics, text, and verbal explanations and be well organized. Career Options: Computer science, Electronics development, Engineering, Optics, Photonics, Post-graduate study, Research, Scientific computing.