Program Overview

Physics, B.S.

The program of study in physics leading to a Bachelor of Science degree provides students with the opportunity to pursue a major field of concentration in physics with the necessary specialization to succeed in a wide array of post-baccalaureate opportunities.

What is Physics?

Physics is the study of matter, motion, force, and energy across space and time. Physicists develop theories and perform experiments to understand the physical world, including everything from the elementary constituents of a proton, electric and magnetic phenomena, lasers, high-tech materials, and black holes.

Concentrations

The following concentrations include the course work and experience necessary for student success:

• Electrical Engineering Concentration: This concentration in electrical engineering combines the study of physics with electrical engineering by further broadening knowledge and skills. In addition, a degree with an electrical engineering concentration will increase the marketability of the physics student.
• General Physics Concentration: The general physics concentration will provide students with a broad conceptual understanding of physical phenomena and technical problem-solving skills. Students who earn bachelor's degrees in physics are well-prepared to pursue advanced graduate degrees in physics or related areas of study. It also prepares students for 21st-century careers in government and industry as professional physicists.
• Mechanical Engineering Concentration: This concentration in mechanical engineering combines the study of physics with mechanical engineering. This curriculum design helps to further broaden the students' analytical skills. In addition, a degree with a mechanical engineering concentration will increase the marketability of the physics student.

College of Science and Mathematics

The College of Science and Mathematics offers the Physics, B.S. program.

Admission Requirements

There are no specific admission requirements for this program. Only admission to Kennesaw State University is required to declare this major.

Recommended IMPACTS Courses

• M: Students should take MATH 1113 or higher.
• T: Students should take MATH 1179 or higher.
• T: Students should take two four-hour laboratory sciences in the Natural Sciences. Students may choose from:
  • CHEM 1211/1211L
  • CHEM 1212/1212L
  • PHYS 1111/1111L
  • PHYS 1112/1112L
  • PHYS 2211/2211L
  • PHYS 2212/2212L
  • BIOL 1107/1107L
  • BIOL 1108/1108L *Students cannot take both PHYS 1111/L and PHYS 2211/L nor PHYS 1112/L and PHYS 2212/L.

Degree Concentrations Available

• Electrical Engineering Concentration
• General Concentration
• Mechanical Engineering Concentration

Non-Degree Options

• Physics Minor

Double Owl Pathways

• Physics BS / Data Science and Analytics MS

Sample Classes

• PHYS 3260: Mathematical Physics: This course reviews mathematical techniques that are often used in upper-level physics courses. Students will learn to apply linear algebra, differential equations, vector calculus, Fourier series, Fourier transforms, Bessel functions, Legendre polynomials, and complex analysis to solve problems in physics.
• PHYS 3710: Modern Physics: The topics covered in this course constitute the most fundamental background in modern physics. The main objective of this course is to provide the student with a basic understanding of the physical laws and phenomena that constitute the framework leading to quantum mechanics.
• PHYS 4210: Quantum Mechanics I: This course presents a systematic development of quantum mechanical laws. Students will be introduced to Dirac's notation and will learn about the theory of angular momentum quantization and will use the operator formalism to solve the Schrödinger's equation in 3-dim for a particle in a central force field, and the simple harmonic oscillator.
• PHYS 4230: Thermal Physics: This course is a study of the principles of thermal equilibrium, physical statistics, irreversible processes, and the approach to equilibrium. Students will learn how to apply the statistical nature of thermodynamics using Boltzmann, Bose-Einstein, and Fermi-Dirac statistics.