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  Academic Programs / Science & Technology

Physics

Dr. Rongjia Tao, Chair

Dr. Zbigniew Dziembowski, Faculty Advisor
Barton Hall, Room A225
215-204-7639
zbig.dziembowski@temple.edu

The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) program serves two purposes. First, it gives strong preparation for those wishing to attend graduate school in physics or related disciplines. Second, the B.S. program is recommended for those who intend to enter the scientific workforce upon completion of a bachelor's degree.

The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) program is designed for those who are planning for a non-research career in a field which nevertheless has an important science component.  Examples include patent law, environmental law enforcement, medicine or sales or management in a high-technology industry.

 

Bachelor of Arts

 

Summary of Requirements for the Degree

1. University Requirements (123 total s.h.)

  • Math 0701 (4 s.h.) and/or English 0701 (4 s.h.), if required by placement testing.
  • All Temple students must take a minimum of two writing-intensive courses at Temple as part of their major. Following is a list of courses that can be used to satisfy the writing-intensive requirement: Physics 2796 and Physics 4796.
  • Students must complete the General Education (GenEd) requirements.
    • The General Education Curriculum consists of approximately 25-26 s.h.  See the General Education section of the Undergraduate Bulletin for the GenEd curriculum.

2. College Requirements

  • 90 credits within the College of Science & Technology (CST) or the College of Liberal Arts (CLA).
  • 45 Upper Level (2000+) credits within the College of Science & Technology (CST) or the College of Liberal Arts (CLA).
  • Two (2) Upper Level (2000+) Liberal Art courses.
  • Second (2nd) Level of a Foreign Language (1002).

3. Major Requirements for Bachelor of Arts (55 s.h.)

  • Three (3) Mathematics courses are required (12 s.h.): Mathematics 1041, 1042 and 2043.
  • Two (2) sequenced science courses outside the Department of Physics are required (8 s.h.): Biology 1011 and 1012, Biology 1111 and 2112, Chemistry 1031/1033 and 1032/1034 or Earth & Environmental Science 2001 and a 2000+ Elective.
  • Ten (10) Physics courses are required (35 s.h.): Physics 1061 or 2021, 1062 or 2022, 2101, 2502, 2796, 3301, 4796 and three (3) Physics electives.  The three physics electives must be selected from the following list: Physics 0846, 2501, 3101, 3302, 3701, 4101, 4301, 4302, 4701 or 4702.

Note: Physics 3091 is not available for major credit.

Suggested Semester By Semester Plan

 

Year 1 – Fall Semester
Subject Course # Course Title Hours Attribute
Mathematics

Mathematics
1041

1941
Calculus I
     or
Honors Calculus I
4

4
 
Physics 1061 Elementary Classical Physics I 4  
General Education / Elective Credits     7  
Subtotal     15  
 
Year 1 – Spring Semester
Subject Course # Course Title Hours Attribute
Mathematics

Mathematics
1042

1942
Calculus II
     or
Honors Calculus II
4

4
 
Physics 1062 Elementary Classical Physics II 4  
General Education / Elective Credits     7  
Subtotal     15  
 
Year 2 – Fall Semester
Subject Course # Course Title Hours Attribute
Math 2043 Calculus III 4  
General Education / Elective Credits     12  
Subtotal     16  
 
Year 2 – Spring Semester
Subject Course # Course Title Hours Attribute
Physics 2502             Mathematical Physics (S)              4        
Physics 2796 Introduction to Modern Physics (S) 4 WI
General Education / Elective Credits     7  
Subtotal     15  
 
Year 3 – Fall Semester
Subject Course # Course Title Hours Attribute
Physics 3301 Electricity & Magnetism (F) 4  
Science   Sequenced Science Part 1* 4  
General Education / Elective Credits     7  
Subtotal     15  
 
Year 3 – Spring Semester
Subject Course # Course Title Hours Attribute
Physics 2101 Classical Mechanics (S) 3  
Science   Sequenced Science Part 2* 4  
General Education / Elective Credits     9  
Subtotal     16  
 
Year 4 – Fall Semester
Subject Course # Course Title Hours Attribute
Physics   Physics Elective^ 3  
Physics   Physics Elective^ 3  
General Education / Elective Credits     10  
Subtotal     16  
 
Year 4 – Spring Semester
Subject Course # Course Title Hours Attribute
Physics 4796 Experimental Physics (S) 3 WI
Physics   Physics Elective^ 3  
General Education / Elective Credits     9  
Subtotal     15  
         
Credits in Coursework for B.A. in Physics 55  
General Education / Elective Credits 68  
Total Credits for B.A. Degree 123  

 

(F) - Fall only course.

(S) - Spring only course.

 

*Sequenced Science Options

Students are required to take a two-semester sequence of laboratory science electives not within physics.  The science courses can be chosen from Biology, Chemistry, or Earth & Environmental Science (EES) from the following list:

 

Sequence Science Elective Options
Subject Course # Course Title Hours Attribute
 
Biology

Biology
1011

1012
General Biology I (F)
    and
General Biology II (S)
4

4
 
         OR    
Biology

Biology
1111

2112
Introduction to Biology
    and
Introduction to Biology
4

4


          OR    
Chemistry

Chemistry
1031 and 1033

1032 and 1034
General Chemistry I & Lab
     and
General Chemistry II & Lab
4

4
 
          OR    
EES

EES
2001

2000+ Elective
Physical Geology
   and
2000+ Geology Elective
4

4


 

 

^Physics Electives

 

Physics Electives      
Subject Course # Course Title Hours Attribute
Students are required to take three advanced physics electives selected from the following list:   
Physics 0846 Universe As We Know It 3 GS
Physics 2501 Computing for Scientists (F) 3  
Physics 3101 Analytical Mechanics (F) 3  
Physics 3302 Classical Electromagnetism (S) 3  
Physics 3701 Introduction to Quantum Mechanics (S) 3  
Physics 4101 Thermodynamics & Kinetic Theory (F) 3  
Physics 4301 Electronics (S) 3  
Physics 4302 Optics (F) 3  
Physics 4701 Introduction to Solid State Physics (S) 3  
Physics 4702 Introduction to Atomic, Nuclear, & Particle Physics (F) 3  

 

 

Bachelor of science

 

Summary of Requirements for the Degree

1. University Requirements (123 total s.h.)

  • Math 0701 (4 s.h.) and/or English 0701 (4 s.h.), if required by placement testing.
  • All Temple students must take a minimum of two writing-intensive courses at Temple as part of their major. Following is a list of courses that can be used to satisfy the writing-intensive requirement: Physics 2796 and Physics 4796.
  • Students must complete the General Education (GenEd) requirements.
    • The General Education Curriculum consists of approximately 25-26 s.h.  See the General Education section of the Undergraduate Bulletin for the GenEd curriculum.

2. College Requirements

  • 90 credits within the College of Science & Technology (CST) or the College of Liberal Arts (CLA).
  • 45 Upper Level (2000+) credits within the College of Science & Technology (CST) or the College of Liberal Arts (CLA).

3. Major Requirements for Bachelor of Science (71-73 s.h.)

  • Four (4) Mathematics courses are required (15 s.h.): Mathematics 1041, 1042, 2043 and 3041.
  • Two (2) science or mathematics elective courses are required (6-8 s.h.): These two electives can be chosen from the departments of Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, Earth & Environmental Science, Mathematics, or Physics in consultation with the faculty advisor.
  • Fifteen (15) Physics courses are required (50 s.h.): Physics 1061 or 2021, 1062 or 2022, 2101, 2501, 2502, 2796, 3101, 3301, 3302, 3701, 4101, 4302, 4796 and two (2) additional Physics courses from the following list: 4301, 4701 or 4702.  

Note: Physics 3091 is not available for major credit.

Suggested Semester By Semester Plan

 

Year 1 – Fall Semester
Subject Course # Course Title Hours Attribute
Mathematics

Mathematics
1041

1941
Calculus I
     or
Honors Calculus I
4

4
 
Physics 1061 Elementary Classical Physics I 4  
General Education / Elective Credits     7  
Subtotal     15  
 
Year 1 – Spring Semester
Subject Course # Course Title Hours Attribute
Mathematics

Mathematics
1042

1942
Calculus II
     or
Honors Calculus II
4

4
 
Physics 1062 Elementary Classical Physics II 4  
General Education / Elective Credits     8  
Subtotal     16  
 
Year 2 – Fall Semester
Subject Course # Course Title Hours Attribute
Math 2043 Calculus III 4  
Math 3041 Differential Equations I 3  
Physics 2501 Computing for Scientists (F) 3  
General Education / Elective Credits     6  
Subtotal     16  
 
Year 2 – Spring Semester
Subject Course # Course Title Hours Attribute
Physics 2101 Classical Mechanics (S) 3  
Physics 2502            Mathematical Physics (S) 4       
Physics 2796 Introduction to Modern Physics (S) 4 WI
General Education / Elective Credits     4  
Subtotal     15  
 
Year 3 – Fall Semester
Subject Course # Course Title Hours Attribute
Physics 3101 Analytical Mechanics (F) 3  
Physics 3301 Electricity & Magnetism (F) 4  
Science Elective Choose from Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, Earth & Environmental Science, Mathematics, or Physics chosen in consultation with the faculty advisor. 3-4  
General Education / Elective Credits     4-5  
Subtotal     15  
 
Year 3 – Spring Semester
Subject Course # Course Title Hours Attribute
Physics 3302        Classical Electromagnetism (S) 3  
Physics 3701 Introduction to Quantum Mechanics (S) 3  
Science Elective Choose from Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, Earth & Environmental Science, Mathematics, or Physics chosen in consultation with the faculty advisor. 3-4  
General Education / Elective Credits     5-6  
Subtotal     15  
 
Year 4 – Fall Semester
Subject Course # Course Title Hours Attribute
Physics 4101 Thermodynamics & Kinetic Theory (F) 3  
Physics 4702* Introduction of Atomic, Nuclear, & Particle Physics (F) 3  
Physics 4302 Optics (F) 3  
General Education / Elective Credits     6  
Subtotal     15  
 
Year 4 – Spring Semester
Subject Course # Course Title Hours Attribute
Physics 4701* Introduction to Solid State Physics (S)    
    (Note: Physics 4701 is offered in even-numbered years.)    
Physics 4301* Electronics (S) 3  
    (Note: Physics 4301 is offered in odd-numbered years.)    
Physics 4796 Experimental Physics (S) 3 WI
General Education / Elective Credits     10  
Subtotal     16  
*Complete two of the three courses listed: Physics 4301, 4701 or 4702.
         
Credits in Coursework for B.S. in Physics 71-73  
General Education / Elective Credits 50-52  
Total Credits for B.S. Degree 123  

 

(F) - Fall only course.

(S) - Spring only course.

Interdisciplinary B.S. Degree in Mathematics and Physics

Dr. Tao Rongjia, Chair, Physics

Dr. Zbigniew Dziembowski, Faculty Advisor, Physics
215-204-7639
zbig.dziembowski@temple.edu

Dr. Edward Letzter, Chair, Mathematics

Dr. Boris Datskovsky, Director of Undergraduate Studies, Mathematics
215-204-7847
bdats@temple.edu

The interdisciplinary program is jointly administered by the departments of Mathematics and Physics. For further discussion of the Interdisciplinary major requirements, please see Mathematics and Physics in the Undergraduate Bulletin.

Calculation of Major GPA

The list of courses that are used to calculate major GPA is determined by the department. Students should consult with their academic advising unit for the applicable courses. In general, courses that could not apply toward the major as an elective or a required course are not counted for the major GPA. This would include Math 1022, for example.

Minor Requirements

Students wishing to minor in Physics should take 8 semester hours of Calculus-based Physics I, II (Physics 1061-1062 or equivalent), Electricity and Magnetism (Physics 3301) or Introduction to Electromagnetic Fields and Waves (Electrical Engineering 3712), Introduction to Modern Physics (Physics 2796), and 6 additional semester hours of Physics courses at or above the 2000-level, chosen with the approval of the undergraduate Physics advisor.

 

Minors in Electrical and Mechanical Science

These minors are designed for Physics majors considering graduate work in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering or exploring career opportunities in branches of Engineering close to Physics. The student must maintain a GPA of 2.5 or better in these minors. Students who are interested in Engineering/Applied Physics but do not have time for a full minor should nevertheless review these minors and consult with the physics advisor about the possibility of taking courses in Engineering. Since Physics and Engineering core curricula overlap significantly, a Physics major can often learn an interesting Engineering specialty by taking a relatively modest number of courses.

 

Requirements for the Electrical Science Minor

Requirements for the Electrical Science Minor are: Electrical Engineering 2312, Electrical Engineering 2322, Electrical Engineering 3512, plus a minimum of 9 semester hours of 2000- and 3000-level electives, chosen in consultation with an advisor in the Electrical Engineering Department. (The Electrical Engineering 2322 lab largely duplicates the labs for Physics 3301 and Physics 4301 and is therefore not required.)  The following example elective sequence emphasizes solid state devices and might be of particular interest to a Physics major: Electrical Engineering 2612/2613 and Electrical Engineering 3312/3313.

 

Requirements for the Mechanical Science Minor

Requirements for the Mechanical Science Minor are: Engineering 2331, Engineering 2333 or 2332, Mechanical Engineering 3301 and Mechanical Engineering 3305 Lab, plus a minimum of 11 semester hours of 2000- and 3000-level electives, chosen in consultation with an advisor in the Mechanical Engineering Department.

 

Five-year Master's Program

 

The Combined Five-Year B.A. or B.S./M.A.

This program allows a talented student to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in five years. A physics major may apply for the program during the junior or senior year. Please consult the advisor for details.

 

Five-Year Master’s/Secondary Education Certification Program

This is a combined program between the College of Science and Technology and the College of Education.  For more information, see the following web site:

www.temple.edu/bulletin/Academic_programs/schools_colleges/ed/intro/generalinfo/ed_generalinfo.shtm#teacher

 

Distinction in Major

A student who wishes to graduate with distinction in the major must complete all courses required for the physics major with a GPA of 3.5 or better, and carry out an independent study or undergraduate thesis project. Consult the undergraduate physics advisor for more details.

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