Program Requirements
B.A. in Physics
Only courses designated as physics courses (PHYS) that may be applied to the major are included in the determination of the grade point average in the major.
Requirements
Core Requirements – 33 credits
- PHYS 131C – P4 General Physics I (4)
- PHYS 132C – P4 General Physics II (4)
- PHYS 211 – Modern Physics I (4)
PHYS 211L – Modern Physics I Laboratory (1) - PHYS 212 – Modern Physics II (4)
PHYS 212L – Modern Physics II Laboratory (1) - MATH 120 – P4 Calculus I (4)
- MATH 122 – P4 Calculus II (4)
- MATH 221C – Calculus III (4)
- MATH 222 – SQ Introduction to Dynamical Systems (3)
Additional Requirements –12 credits
- 12 additional credits of physics electives (at the 200 level or above)
Total: 45 credits
B.S. in Physics
Only courses designated as physics courses (PHYS) that may be applied to the major are included in the determination of the grade point average in the major.
Requirements
The credits for each course are indicated in parentheses following the course title.
Core Requirements – 33 credits
- PHYS 131C – P4 General Physics I (4)
- PHYS 132C – P4 General Physics II (4)
- PHYS 211 – Modern Physics I (4)
PHYS 211L – Modern Physics I Laboratory (1) - PHYS 212 – Modern Physics II (4)
PHYS 212L – Modern Physics II Laboratory (1) - MATH 120 – P4 Calculus I (4)
- MATH 122 – P4 Calculus II (4)
- MATH 221C – Calculus III (4)
- MATH 222 – SQ Introduction to Dynamical Systems (3)
Additional Requirements – 24 credits
Choose ONE option from the following.
- B.S. Option I: 24 additional credits in physics: PHYS 301, 333, 334, 341, 342, 365, 451, and 452.
- B.S. Option II: 24 additional credits to include: 12 additional credits of physics electives and 12 credits of science courses chosen from biology, chemistry, or physics. The courses in biology or chemistry must be chosen from those specifically named and numbered courses that satisfy the minor requirements in those disciplines or by electives at the 200 level or above. The courses in physics must be those at the 200-400 level. The 12-hour science course combination can consist of courses entirely from biology, chemistry, or physics.
Total: 57 credits
Inclusive Adolescence Education Dual Major/Concentration in Physics
Students pursuing teaching certification in inclusive adolescence education (physics) may dual major in inclusive adolescence education and physics (B.A. or B.S degree requirements as listed above) or they may choose to complete a physics concentration. Either choice results in a Bachelor of Science degree. In addition to meeting all of the inclusive adolescence education requirements (40-43 credits: see Inclusive Adolescence Education for details), the physics department has outlined the following courses for the physics concentration which meet the New York state requirement for certification:
- PHYS 131C – P4 General Physics I (4)
- PHYS 132C – P4 General Physics II (4)
- PHYS 211 – Modern Physics I (4)
- PHYS 211L – Modern Physics Lab I (1)
- PHYS 212 – Modern Physics Lab II (4)
- PHYS 212L – Modern Physics Lab II (1)
- MATH 120C – P4 Calculus I (4)
- MATH 122C – P4 Calculus II (4)
- TWO Physics electives at 300 level or above (6)
Total: 32 hours
Inclusive Childhood Education Dual Major/Concentration in Physics
Students pursuing teaching certification in inclusive childhood education must declare either a second major or a concentration in a liberal arts field. Either choice results in a Bachelor of Science degree. Inclusive childhood education majors who wish to pursue a dual major with physics take all of the major requirements as listed above (B.A. or B.S degree requirements) in addition to meeting all of the inclusive childhood education requirements (49-52 credits: see Inclusive Childhood Education for details). If an inclusive childhood education major wishes to complete a concentration in physics, the physics department in conjunction with the education department has outlined the following courses which meet the New York state requirement for a liberal arts concentration in this field:
- PHYS 131C – P4 General Physics I (4)
- PHYS 132C – P4 General Physics II (4)
- PHYS 211 – Modern Physics I (4)
- PHYS 211L – Modern Physics Lab I (1)
- PHYS 212 – Modern Physics Lab II (4)
- PHYS 212L – Modern Physics Lab II (1)
- MATH 120C – P4 Calculus I (4)
- MATH 122C – P4 Calculus II (4)
- TWO Physics electives at 300 level or above (6)
Total: 32 hours
Pre-Engineering Program
The program is designed to prepare students for careers in engineering and applied science. Students spend three years at St. John Fisher College, followed by two years at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with whom St. John Fisher College has an engineering program agreement. A student's studies might take more than two years depending on the engineering tract they decide to pursue.
Further details are available from the director of admissions of the affiliated school and the pre-engineering advisor.
Pre-Engineering Option: 3+2 Program
A student selects a non-engineering major at St. John Fisher College and completes a minimum of 90 credit hours in the liberal arts, mathematics, science, and pre-engineering. The student then transfers to the affiliated engineering school and completes a minimum of 60 credit hours. Upon successful completion of the five-year program, the student is awarded baccalaureate degrees from the engineering institution and from St. John Fisher College.
By combining a solid foundation in the liberal arts and sciences with a degree in engineering, graduates maximize employment opportunities and flexibility within their chosen field. The major area of study at St. John Fisher College provides yet another option for graduate study and career opportunities.
Transferring
In most schools, acceptance by the college or university does not guarantee acceptance into its school of engineering. A separate application is sometimes necessary after satisfactory completion of a certain core of courses. A similar relationship exists between St. John Fisher College and its affiliated engineering school. In the academic year prior to transferring, students must apply to the engineering school(s) of their choice. Admission to our affiliated engineering school is not automatic, but depends on the completion of certain courses and the student’s academic achievement. Favorable recommendations from the pre-engineering advisor will be forwarded for highly motivated students with satisfactory academic achievement.
Pre-Engineering Core Requirements
The following courses constitute a core that must be completed by all pre-engineering students:
- CHEM 103C, 103L, 104C, and 104L
- MATH 120C, 122C, 221C, and 222
- PHYS 131C, 132C, and 211
Additional courses may be required for specific engineering programs and our affiliated institution may also require additional courses. Contact the pre-engineering advisor for further details.