Physics, BS

Program Overview

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Degree Requirements

The major in Physics leads to the Bachelor of Science degree. All courses used to satisfy the major requirements must be completed with a grade of C or higher, except that a maximum of three courses at the 100- or 200-level may be completed with a grade of C-. Completion of the major requires approximately 65 credits.

Courses in Physics

• PHY 131 - Classical Physics I (3 credits)
• PHY 133 - Classical Physics Laboratory I (1 credit)
• PHY 132 - Classical Physics II (3 credits)
• PHY 134 - Classical Physics Laboratory II (1 credit)
• PHY 251 - Modern Physics (3 credits)
• PHY 252 - Modern Physics Laboratory (1 credit)
• PHY 277 - Computation for Physics and Astronomy (3 credits)
• PHY 300 - Waves and Optics (4 credits)
• PHY 301 - Electromagnetic Theory I (3 credits)
• PHY 303 - Mechanics (3 credits)
• PHY 306 - Thermodynamics, Kinetic Theory, and Statistical Mechanics (3 credits)
• PHY 308 - Quantum Physics (3 credits)
• PHY 335 - Electronics and Instrumentation Laboratory (3 credits)
• PHY 445 - Senior Laboratory (3 credits)

Notes:

1. The sequence PHY 125, PHY 126, PHY 127 with labs PHY 133 and PHY 134 or PHY 141/PHY 133, PHY 142/PHY 134 may substitute for PHY 131/PHY 133, PHY 132/PHY 134.
2. At least four courses numbered 300 or above must be taken at Stony Brook.
3. AST 443 may substitute for PHY 445.
4. PHY/BME double majors who graduate with a BE in Biomedical Engineering may substitute BME 120 for PHY 277.
5. PHY/CSE double majors who graduate with a BS in Computer Science are exempt from PHY 277.

Courses in Mathematics

One of the following sequences:

• MAT 125 - Calculus A (3 credits)
• MAT 126 - Calculus B (3 credits)
• MAT 127 - Calculus C (3 credits)
• OR
• MAT 131 - Calculus I (4 credits)
• MAT 132 - Calculus II (4 credits)
• OR
• MAT 141 - Honors Calculus I
• MAT 142 - Honors Calculus II
• OR
• MAT 171 - Accelerated Single Variable Calculus
• OR
• AMS 151 - Applied Calculus I (3 credits)
• AMS 161 - Applied Calculus II (3 credits)

One of the following:

• MAT 203 - Calculus III with Applications (4 credits)
• OR
• AMS 261 - Applied Calculus III (4 credits)
• OR
• MAT 307 - Multivariable Calculus with Linear Algebra (4 credits)

One of the following:

• MAT 303 - Calculus IV with Applications (4 credits)
• OR
• AMS 361 - Applied Calculus IV: Differential Equations (4 credits)
• OR
• MAT 308 - Differential Equations with Linear Algebra (4 credits)

One of the following:

• MAT 211 - Introduction to Linear Algebra (3 credits)
• OR
• AMS 210 - Applied Linear Algebra (3 credits)
• OR
• MAT 307 - Multivariable Calculus with Linear Algebra (4 credits) AND
• MAT 308 - Differential Equations with Linear Algebra (4 credits)

Upper-Division Writing Requirement

Students are certified as satisfying the upper-division writing requirement by registering for the 0-credit PHY 459 and completing a writing project within their major. Students majoring in physics should consult an actual publication (for instance in Physical Review Letters or Physics Today) when considering the style of their submission.

Physics Honors Program

To receive the Bachelor of Science in Physics with honors, in addition to having completed all the requirements for the B.S. in Physics, a student must satisfy the following:

• PHY 487 - Research (0-6 credits) (at least 3 credits total)
• Two other 400-level physics courses (three credits each, excluding PHY 475)
• Overall grade point average of at least 3.30 in all physics courses numbered 300 or higher.

Specialization in Optics

Students majoring in Physics may decide to pursue a specialization in Optics. This specialization is listed on the official transcript. In addition to the courses required for the major, students must complete the following with a grade of C or better to satisfy the requirements of the specialization:

Required Departmental Courses (6 credits)

• PHY 302 - Electromagnetic Theory II (3 credits)
• PHY 452 - Atomic Physics and Lasers (3 credits)

Optics-Related Laboratory Experience

• PHY 487 - Research (0-6 credits) (at least three credits, optics related)

One Additional Elective Course:

Either

• PHY 405 - Advanced Quantum Physics (3 credits)
• OR
• One of many courses in other departments (including the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences-CEAS) that could meet the requirements for this additional elective.

Research Program

Students who wish to pursue graduate study in physics should choose a program similar to this suggested example:

Freshman Year

• PHY 131 - Classical Physics I (3 credits)
• PHY 133 - Classical Physics Laboratory I (1 credit)
• OR
• PHY 141 - Classical Physics I: Honors (3 credits)
• PHY 133 - Classical Physics Laboratory I (1 credit)
• MAT 131 - Calculus I (4 credits)
• MAT 132 - Calculus II (4 credits)

Sophomore Year

• PHY 251 - Modern Physics (3 credits)
• PHY 252 - Modern Physics Laboratory (1 credit)
• PHY 277 - Computation for Physics and Astronomy (3 credits)
• PHY 300 - Waves and Optics (4 credits)
• MAT 307 - Multivariable Calculus with Linear Algebra (4 credits)
• MAT 308 - Differential Equations with Linear Algebra (4 credits)
• CHE 131 - General Chemistry IB (4 credits)
• CHE 132 - General Chemistry II (4 credits)

Junior Year

• PHY 301 - Electromagnetic Theory I (3 credits)
• PHY 302 - Electromagnetic Theory II (3 credits)
• PHY 303 - Mechanics (3 credits)
• PHY 306 - Thermodynamics, Kinetic Theory, and Statistical Mechanics (3 credits)
• PHY 308 - Quantum Physics (3 credits)
• PHY 335 - Electronics and Instrumentation Laboratory (3 credits)
• MAT 341 - Applied Real Analysis (3 credits)
• MAT 342 - Applied Complex Analysis (3 credits)

Senior Year

• PHY 405 - Advanced Quantum Physics (3 credits)
• PHY 445 - Senior Laboratory (3 credits)
• At least 3 credits of PHY 487 - Research (0-6 credits) and one other 400-level course.

Sample Course Sequence

Sample Course Sequence for the Major in Physics

SBC Courses

This table illustrates major courses that can also be used to fulfill SBC requirements.

SBC Category	Required Major Courses	Optional Major Courses
ARTS
GLO
HUM
LANG
QPS		AMS 102, AMS 110, AMS 151, MAT 123, MAT 125, MAT 131
SBS		EST 392
SNW	PHY 131, PHY 132	BIO 201, CHE 131, CHE 132, CHE 152, PHY 125, PHY 127, PHY 126, PHY 141
TECH	PHY 277, PHY 335	ATM 247, BME 100, CSE 110, MAT 331
USA
WRT
STAS		ECO 373, EST 291, EST 320
EXP+		AST 287, ATM 487, EST 499
HFA+
SBS+		AMS 335, ECO 303, ECO 305, ECO 355
STEM+	PHY 251, PHY 300	AMS 261, AMS 301, AMS 310, AMS 361, AST 203, AST 205, ATM 205, ATM 247, ATM 305, BIO 202, BIO 203, CHE 301, CHE 321, MAT 203, MAT 211, MAT 307, MAT 303, MAT 308
CER		ATM 315, ATM 397
DIV
ESI	PHY 445	AMS 315, AST 443, ATM 320, GEO 287
SPK	PHY 445	AST 443, PHY 458
WRTD	PHY 459

• Freshmen who matriculate in the Fall of 2019 or later
• Transfer students who matriculate in the Spring of 2020 or later
• Students who rematriculate in the Fall of 2019 or later