The curriculum is designed to give the physics major a look at all of the different areas of physics from the most basic to the more advanced. This allows the physics major to have an excellent opportunity to be employed in industry and it also provides an excellent background for Graduate Studies.
Dual majors are available with almost any other academic area. In addition, specialized interdisciplinary programs are offered in these areas:
Engineering-Physics - designed for students who plan to seek industrial employment in either engineering or applied physics.
Physics-Computer Science - leads to a BA in Physics-Computer Science. Students follow the physics curriculum with the addition of a set of computer science courses.
Students interested in pursuing a BS in engineering, can attend Canisius College for the first two years of study, where they will complete the fundamental science courses, before transferring to an engineering school to finish their degree.
Admission
For admission to the advanced program, a student should have completed, with a grade of at least C, General Physics (PHY 223, 224, 225) and Mathematics through Differential Equations (MAT 222).
Physics Curriculum:
| 1. | ENG 101, ENG 102, PHI 101, RST 101 (4 courses) | (12 credits) | |
| 2. | Area Studies: Two courses from each of these areas: II, III, IV, V, VI, VIII (12 courses)1 |
(36 credits) | |
| 3. | Major course requirements: (18 courses) | ||
| PHY 223 (or PHY 223a/MAT 115- PHY 223b/MAT 118) - 224 General Physics for Physical Science Majors |
(8 credits) | ||
| PHY 225 General Physics III | (4 credits) | ||
| PHY 226 Basic Electronics | (4 credits) | ||
| PHY 330 Electricity and Magnetism I | (3 credits) | ||
| PHY 331 Electricity and Magnetism II | (3 credits) | ||
| PHY 332 Statistical and Thermal Physics | (3 credits) | ||
| PHY 350-351 Advanced Laboratory | (2 credits) | ||
| PHY 443 Classical Mechanics | (3 credits) | ||
| PHY 447 Quantum Mechanics | (3 credits) | ||
| PHY 449 Nuclear Physics Lab | (1 credit) | ||
| PHY 498 Senior Project | (1 credit) | ||
| CHM 111-112 General Chemistry | (8 credits) | ||
| CSC 107 Computer Programming for Science2 | (4 credits) | ||
| MAT 111-112 or MAT 117/PHY 223a- MAT 118/PHY 223b Calculus I and II |
(8 credits) | ||
| MAT 211 Calculus III | (4 credits) | ||
| MAT 222 Differential Equations | (4 credits) | ||
| MAT 335-336 Mathematical Analysis for Physicists | (8 credits) | ||
| 4. Electives: Computer Science courses are highly recommended, as are PHY 301, PHY 306, 400 (4 courses) |
(12 credits) | ||
| Total | (38 courses) | (131 credits) | |
Recommended Schedule:
| Fall | Spring | |||||
| Freshman Year | ||||||
| ENG 101 | 3 credits | ENG 102 | 3 credits | |||
| CHM 111 | 4 credits | CHM 112 | 4 credits | |||
| MAT 111 | 4 credits | MAT 112 | 4 credits | |||
| CSC 1072 or AS | 4 or 3 credits | PHY 223 | 4 credits | |||
| Total | 15-16 credits | Total | 15 credits | |||
| Sophomore Year | ||||||
| PHI 101 | 3 credits | RST 101 | 3 credits | |||
| MAT 211 | 4 credits | MAT 222 | 4 credits | |||
| PHY 224 | 4 credits | PHY 225 | 4 credits | |||
| AS | 3 credits | PHY 226 | 4 credits | |||
| AS or CSC 1072 | 3 or 4 credits | AS | 3 credits | |||
| Total | 17or 18 credits | Total | 18 credits | |||
| Junior or Senior Year | ||||||
| PHY 330 | 3 credits | PHY 331 | 3 credits | |||
| PHY 350 | 1 credit | PHY 351 | 1 credit | |||
| MAT 335 | 4 credits | AS | 3 credits | |||
| AS | 3 credits | AS | 3 credits | |||
| AS | 3 credits | AS | 3 credits | |||
| AS | 3 credits | Elective | 3 credits | |||
| Total | 17 credits | Total | 16 credits | |||
| Senior or Junior Year | ||||||
| PHY 332 | 3 credits | PHY 447 | 3 credits | |||
| PHY 443 | 3 credits | PHY 499 | 1 credits | |||
| PHY 449 | 1 credits | Elective | 3 credits | |||
| MAT 336 | 4 credits | AS | 3 credits | |||
| AS | 3 credits | AS | 3 credits | |||
| Elective | 3 credits | Elective | 3 credits | |||
| Total | 17 credits | Total | 16 credits | |||
| Total | 136 credits |
Other Programs
Physics Minor: The physics minor requires seven courses, which are to be distributed as follows.
Four Required Courses:
|
(8 credits) | |
|
(4 credits) | |
|
(4 credits) | |
|
|
(3 credits) | |
|
(3 credits) | |
|
(3 credits) | |
|
(3 credits) | |
|
(3 credits) |
Note: (i) PHY 331 requires PHY 330 as a prerequisite.
(ii) MAT 336 is strongly recommended for PHY 447.
Group II-
|
(4 credits) | |
|
(4 credits) | |
|
(2 credits) | |
|
(4 credits) | |
|
(4 credits) | |
|
(4 credits) | |
|
(5 credits) |
Note: If CHM 301 is used for Group II, PHY 332 cannot be used for Group I.
Dual majors can be formed with almost any other course of studies.
Additional Information
Physics majors use high resolution spectroscopy equipment, lasers, fiber optics, high vacuum apparatus, low temperature apparatus, a multi-channel nuclear spectrometer and an X-ray spectrometer. They have access to departmental computers and the college’s main computer system. In addition, a large supply of other equipment is available for students to use as early as their first semester.
The Society of Physics Students offers opportunities for social activities, technical tours, lectures and other activities.
PHY 129 Introduction to Astronomy 3 credits
Understanding modern astronomy by using ideas from basic physics. Mathematics minimized. Naming and viewing stars and constellations is included. (AS I) Fall
PHY 131 Earthquakes: Seismology and Society 3 credits
The science behind earthquakes; their causes, locations, frequency and measurement; and their affects on geography, human structures and society.
(AS I) Spring
PHY 133 Dinosaurs 3 credits
An introduction to dinosaurs and their world through an examination of their anatomy, evolution, phylogenty, behavior, metabolism and the cause of their extinction. Exploration of geological concepts such as uniformitarianism, stratigraphy, sedimentation, fossilization and taphonomy will help to explain how this knowledge was extracted from the rocks. (AS I) Fall
PHY 201-202 General Physics 8 credits
For biological-science students. Newtonian mechanics, electricity and magnetism, optics and atomic physics. Some calculus. Lecture, recitation and laboratory. Prerequisites: MAT 109 or equivalent. A grade of C- or higher in PHY 201 is required to continue in PHY 202. PHY 210 Fall; PHY 202. Spring
PHY 223-224 General Physics for Physical Science Majors 8 credits
Calculus-based physics course and related laboratory. PHY 223: Newtonian mechanics with applications. PHY 224: electricity and magnetism. Prerequisites: MAT 111. A grade of C- or higher in PHY 223 is necessary to continue in PHY 224. PHY 223 Fall; PHY 224. Spring
PHY 225 General Physics III 4 credits
Calculus-based physics course and related laboratory. Fluids, mechanical waves and sound, heat and thermodynamics, geometric and physical optics, relativity and introductory quantum physics. Prerequisite: A grade of C- or higher in PHY 224 is required to continue in PHY 225. Spring
PHY 226 Basic Electronics 4 credits
Circuit analysis, power supplies, semiconductor physics, operational amplifiers, digital electronics. Integrated circuit techniques. Includes laboratory work each week. Prerequisite: A grade of C- or higher in PHY 224 is required. Spring
PHY 301 Optics 3 credits
Geometric optics, interference, diffraction, fiber optics, laser
system design, holographic metrology and non-linear optical phenomena. Prerequisites: MAT 222 and PHY 224. Offered irregularly, 2 year cycle
PHY 303 Biophysics 3 credits
Nanoscale structure, function and biochemistry in macrobiological systems. Topics will include: protein machines, cytoskeletal motility, energy and biological order, forces, cytoskeletal polymers, ATP chemistry and molecular motors. Prerequisites: MAT 111 and either PHY 201 & PHY 202 or PHY 223 & PHY 224. Fall 2008 only, 2 year cycle.
PHY 330 Electromagnetism I 3 credits
Static and time-varying classical electric and magnetic fields in free-space and matter. Prerequisite: PHY 224. Prior completion of or concurrent registration for MAT 335 is strongly encouraged. Fall 2007 only, 2 year cycle
PHY 331 Electromagnetism II 3 credits
Primary topic: electromagnetic waves in free-space and matter, beginning with the Maxwell equations. Additional topics: radiation and special relativity. Prerequisite: PHY 330. Spring 2008 only, 2 year cycle
PHY 332 Statistical and Thermal Physics 3 credits
Develops statistical concepts and methods used to relate macroscopic to microscopic descriptions of many particle systems. Prerequisite: PHY 225. Fall 2008 only, 2 year cycle
PHY 350-351 Advanced Laboratory 2 credits
Advanced experiments such as experimental instrumentation, holography, spatial filtering, atomic spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, low-temperature measurements, magnetic resonance. Prerequisite: PHY 225. Fall and Spring
PHY 360 Scientific Modeling 3 credits
An introduction to the use of computer models to develop understanding in a scientific context. This course is intended for students in any scientific or mathematical discipline, and focuses on the principles involved in using and interpreting computer models. The course is divided into three main sections: dynamical modeling, structural modeling and computer-based statistical methods. Problems will be drawn from biology, biochemistry, chemistry, geology and physics. Prerequisites: MAT 111 and a one-year introductory science sequence (in computer science, chemistry, biology or physics). Fall 2007 only, 2 year cycle
PHY 400 (MAT 400) Mathematics-Physics Reading Group 1 credits
Study of a book on recent developments in mathematics and physics. Book subject varies. May be taken more than once. Prerequisite: By permission. Spring
PHY 443 Classical Mechanics 3 credits
One, two, and three dimensional motion of a particle, non-inertial systems, classical scattering, rigid-body motion. Lagrange and Hamilton equations, calculus of variations, oscillations. Prerequisites: PHY 224, MAT 222. Fall 2008 only, 2 year cycle
PHY 447 Quantum Mechanics 3 credits
Experimental basis of quantum mechanics, state functions, operators. Schrodinger’s equation and applications, parity, perturbation theory, Dirac notation. Prerequisite: MAT 336 is strongly recommended. Spring 2009 only, 2 year cycle
PHY 449 Nuclear Physics Lab 1 credit
One-semester lab meeting once per week. Experiments study nuclear instrumentation, characteristics of radiation and nuclear spectra. Prerequisite: PHY 225 Fall 2008 only
PHY 498 Senior Project 1-3 credit (s)
A one-semester research project done under the supervision
of a faculty member. Prerequisite: Senior standing in physics
and permission of department chair. Spring
PHY 499 Independent Study 3 credits
Prerequisite: Permission of department chair. Spring and Fall
1 Area I is automatically fulfilled because this program is in the natural sciences. Area VII is fulfilled by the required mathematics courses in this program.
2 CSC 107 is offered in alternate years only.