The Physics curriculum gives students a thorough understanding of the fundamentals and modern applications of physics. The Bachelor of Science program prepares the student for graduate school, a career in scientific research and development, or industrial work. It is also intended for students preparing for interdisciplinary studies on the graduate level in fields such as astronomy and astrophysics, atmospheric science, biophysics, engineering, environmental science, geophysics, or physical oceanography.
The Bachelor of Arts degree program is designed for students seeking to enter professions requiring a moderate training in physics. The lower-division requirements of both degree programs also may be used to prepare for study in engineering. After completion, the student may transfer to engineering programs for upper-division coursework and study in engineering.
Requirements
- Complete University General Education requirements for the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree (51 units minimum).
- Complete the following prerequisites to the major (32-35 units):
- Required courses in major field (10 units):
PHYS 2250, 2260 General Physics I, II, 8 units
PHYS 2252, 2262 General Physics Laboratory I, II, 2 units - Required courses in supporting fields (22-25 units):
CHEM 1100, 1110 Principles of Chemistry I, II, 10 units
MATH 1410, 1420 Calculus I, II, 8 units
MATH 2410 Multivariate Calculus, 4 units
Bachelor of Arts students complete additionally:
CS 1500 Computer Programming I, 3 units
- Complete the major of not less than 25 upper-division units as specified for the Bachelor of Arts degree, or 35 upper-division units as specified for the Bachelor of
Science degree. No courses graded CR may be counted towards the major except
for eight units graded exclusively CR/NC.
- Completion of a minor is not required.
The Bachelor of Arts Major (25 units)
- Complete the following courses (22 units):
PHYS 3010 Introduction to Mathematical Physics I, 3 units
PHYS 3100 Classical Mechanics, 4 units
PHYS 3320, 3330 Electricity and Magnetism I, II, 6 units
PHYS 3520 Modern Physics and Quantum Mechanics, 3 units
PHYS 4102 Advanced Physics Laboratory, 2 units
PHYS 4250 Analog and Digital Electronics, 4 units
- Complete at least three credit hours from the following courses:
PHYS 4450 Nuclear and Particle Physics, 3 units
PHYS 4560 Solid State Physics, 3 units
PHYS 4900 Modern Optics and Lasers, 3 units
The Bachelor of Science Major (35 units)
- Complete the following courses (32 units):
PHYS 3010 Introduction to Mathematical Physics I, 3 units
PHYS 3100 Classical Mechanics, 4 units
PHYS 3320, 3330 Electricity and Magnetism I, II, 6 units
PHYS 3520 Modern Physics and Quantum Mechanics, 3 units
PHYS 4102 Advanced Physics Laboratory, 2 units
PHYS 4250 Analog and Digital Electronics, 4 units
PHYS 4510 Quantum Mechanics I, 3 units
PHYS 4520 Quantum Mechanics II, 3 units
PHYS 4530 Thermal and Statistical Physics, 4 units
- Select three units of upper-division electives in physics and physical sciences.
Note: The department recommends the following electives:
PHYS 3020 Introduction to Mathematical Physics II, 3 units
PHYS 4450 Nuclear and Particle Physics, 3 units
PHYS 4560 Solid State Physics, 3 units
PHYS 4900 Modern Optics and Lasers, 3 units
ASTR 3000 Contemporary Astronomy, 3 units
Minor in Physics
Requirements (18 units)
Complete 18 units in Physics as approved by the minor adviser, to include at least 8 upper-division units.
Minor in Microelectronics
This degree minor provides a theoretical and practical understanding of analog/digital signal processing techniques and microprocessor interfacing techniques, with an emphasis on the design and implementation of instrumentation for scientific experiments.
Requirements (25 units)
- Complete the following lower-division courses (14 units):
CS 1500 Computer Programming I, 3 units
CS 2500 Computer Programming II, 3 units
CS 2700 Assembly Language and Computer Architecture, 3 units
PHYS 2260 General Physics II, 4 units
PHYS 2262 General Physics Laboratory II, 1 unit
- Complete the following upper-division courses (11 units):
CS 3740 Computer Organization, 3 units
PHYS 4250 Analog and Digital Electronics, 4 units
PHYS 4300 Microprocessor Electronics, 3 units
PHYS 4302 Microprocessor Laboratory, 1 unit
Liberal Studies Concentration in Physics
Please refer to the Liberal Studies section of the catalog.
Bachelor of Arts in Physical Sciences
This interdisciplinary degree prepares students for a greater diversity of professions requiring an understanding of the fundamentals of the physical sciences, including courses in: astronomy, chemistry, environmental sciences, geology, marine sciences, meteorology, and physics.
A student may pursue a Physical Sciences major by electing one of the following three concentrations: applied physics, earth and space sciences, or environmental sciences. The major may also be pursued without a concentration by completing sufficient upper-division units in two areas of interest chosen from astronomy, chemistry, environmental sciences, geology, marine science, and physics. Consult with a departmental adviser as to the areas of interest and to the proper selection of courses.
Students interested in environmental design, technical administration in government and industry, laboratory technology, legal work pertaining to patents, or scientific librarianship and journalism may elect this major as an opportunity to acquire an education tailored to their individual needs.
The Physical Sciences major whose interest is in marine geology and physical oceanography will be required to enroll in upper-division coursework at the Moss Landing Marine Laboratories for fulfillment of major requirements. Please refer to the Marine Sciences section of the Graduate Catalog.
Physical Sciences majors interested in medical school, dental school, and other health professions such as pharmacy, physical therapy, or optometry should work out a plan of study as soon as possible with their major adviser and the Pre-Health Professions Committee. See the Pre-Health Professions section of this catalog within the Biological Sciences section.
Requirements
- Complete University General Education requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree (51 units minimum).
- Complete the following prerequisites to the major (28 units):
- PHYS 2250, 2260 General Physics I, II, 8 units, and
PHYS 2252, 2262 General Physics Lab I, II, 2 units, or
PHYS 2100, 2110 Basic Physics I, II, 10 units
- CHEM 1100, 1110 Principles of Chemistry I, II, 10 units
- MATH 1410, 1420 Calculus I, II, 8 units
- Complete the major of not less than 24 upper-division units of physical sciences.
- No courses graded CR may be counted toward the major except for 8 units taken in courses graded exclusively CR/NC.
- No minor is required.
The Major
Complete upper-division courses of not less than 24 units by satisfying either 1 or 2 below:
- The student who pursues a Physical Sciences major without a concentration must select two areas of interest in Physical Sciences and complete upper-di-vision courses of not less than 12 units from these areas. The student may, in consultation with the adviser, complete any other courses in Physical Sci-ences or Mathematics to meet the total required for the major of 24 upper-di-vision units.
- The student also may pursue a Physical Sciences major by completing one of the following concentrations and other appropriate upper-division courses to satisfy the total required units for the major of 24 upper-division units
Applied Physics Concentration
Requirements (25 units)
- Complete the following courses (13 units):
PHYS 3520 Modern Physics and Quantum Mechanics, 3 units
PHYS 4102 Advanced Physics Lab, 2 units
PHYS 4250 Analog and Digital Electronics, 4 units
PHYS 4930 Lasers and Holography, 4 units
- Select 12 upper-division units in Physical Sciences or Mathematics, in consultation with the adviser.
Earth and Space Sciences Concentration
Requirements (24 units)
- Select 12 units from the following:
ASTR 3000 Contemporary Astronomy, 3 units
GEOL 3050 Environmental Geology, 4 units
GEOL 3250 Mineralogy, 4 units
GEOL 4700 Plate Tectonics, 3 units
- Select 12 upper-division units in physical sciences or mathematics, in consultation with the adviser.
One elective course may be chosen from the following:
GEOG 3100 Climatology, 3 units
GEOG 3700 Cartography, 3 units
GEOG 4120 Geomorphology, 3 units
Environmental Sciences Concentration
Requirements (24 units)
- Complete the upper-division requirements of the Environmental Sciences concentration, 13 units. (See the Environmental Sciences section of this chapter.)
- Select an additional 11 upper-division units of courses in consultation with the adviser.
Minor in Physical Sciences
Requirements (18 units)
Complete 18 units in physical sciences as approved by the minor adviser, to include at least 8 units in upper-division.
Liberal Studies Concentration in Physical Sciences
Please refer to the Liberal Studies section of the catalog.
Learning Objectives
Physics majors will:
- Acquire a basic understanding of the core areas in physics, including classical mechanics, electricity and magnetism, quantum mechanics, and thermodynamics.
- Be able to solve physical problems in a wide range of contexts of physics.
- Have an understanding of scientific method and how to apply it.
- Develop analytical skills and apply them to solve problems in physics.
- Apply mathematical skills and reasoning to solve problems and to derive quantitative results on which their conclusions are based.
- Develop basic laboratory skills and become familiar with measurements and data analysis techniques used in physics and other physical sciences.
- Demonstrate the ability to evaluate the quality and usefulness of their data in reaching a conclusion.
- Use scientific software to present and analyze their data scientifically.
- Learn to participate and contribute effectively as a team member in an experiment.
- Demonstrate the ability to communicate scientific information orally and in writing.
- Demonstrate the ability to search and find information in the physics literature.
- Demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate scientific communications (written or oral).
- Learn to participate and contribute effectively in a team discussion on physics.
Joint Engineering Program
Marvin Johnson, Ph.D., Program Director
Naraghi Hall of Science
Building #35: - See Map
Office: N164 - See Map
Phone: (209) 667-3466
E-mail: marvin@science.csustan.edu
CSU Stanislaus and the University of the Pacific (UOP) are offering a unique joint program for students seeking a career in engineering. Students may earn a bachelor’s degree at CSU Stanislaus in Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, or another major in the sciences and continue taking courses at UOP to earn a bachelor’s degree in Engineering. Through this program, preparation and opportunities can be enhanced for a career in engineering by also obtaining a degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, or another science. Industry is interested in hiring graduates who are articulate, versatile, and well-rounded—assets that will increase substantially with a second degree.
Employers know that, when combined with the engineering degree, a second degree in math or science leads to increased depth and technical strength. And this program is a great opportunity for students to earn as they learn. A Cooperative Education component offers full-time paid practical experience under the supervision of an engineer with a degree.
To participate in this program, students enroll at CSU Stanislaus and complete all General Education requirements, the prerequisites to both majors, and the CSU Stanislaus major. Then they can transfer easily to UOP to complete one of several Engineering majors with three years of additional full-time study.
After completing one year at UOP, with proper planning, students will be eligible to receive a CSU Stanislaus bachelor’s degree. Through a joint agreement between CSU Stanislaus and UOP, an approved Transfer Program Agreement provides a guaranteed admission to UOP’s Engineering major.
Students will be required to complete a minimum of 30 specified units at CSU Stanislaus and achieve an overall grade point average of 2.00 and a 2.75 in courses indicated on the Transfer Program Agreement. By carefully planning a full-time program of study, two bachelor’s degrees can be received in no more than six years. This timeframe includes an opportunity to enroll in a Cooperative Education program, thereby earning an income, and obtaining valuable practical experience and knowledge of the industry.
