Our Physics Degree
Think about the world in a new way
And prepare to change it.
Our physics students are challenged by a mix of classical physics and ground-breaking new methods. Add to that a 3+2 cooperative agreement with Columbia University's engineering program, and you really can have it all at Susquehanna.
Classical physics courses in mechanics, electricity and magnetism, optics, and electronics—with select classes in quantum area—give you the foundational knowledge to continue your education, step into a career or teach the next generation of Einsteins. You won't find this a range of specialties and options at other schools that are as personalized to where you want to go as Susquehanna.
Cutting-edge teaching techniques center on learning and applying your new-found knowledge with real-life, fun, applications. You'll crack eggs and smash Lego castles as part of your education. It's problem-solving in real time.
Real-World Experience
Do you want to present at national and international conferences? No problem.
Interested in research opportunities with NASA, CERN, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Lunar and Planetary Lab in Arizona or the Large Hadron Collider Computing Grid? We'll help you get there.
An emphasis on independent thinking means you'll develop your own ideas for research and work with faculty members to build your skills and confidence. Our students do research in physics, math and computer science.
Our graduates then go on to earn advanced degrees, become government analysts, or work in labs, computing or teaching.
Recent graduates are employed at:
AT&T's Holmdel Laboratory
Department of Homeland Security
The FBI Forensic Laboratory
Minolta
Nabisco
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center
Numerous high schools as teachers
Susquehanna Valley Cancer Treatment Center
U.S. Government
Recent graduates have continued studies at:
Columbia University
Drexel University
Lehigh University
MIT-Woods Hole
The Pennsylvania State University
Princeton University
University of California at Berkeley
University of Connecticut
University of Michigan
Requirements for the Major in Physics. Susquehanna offers both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science programs in physics. The department strongly recommends the Bachelor of Science program for students interested in graduate school or industrial employment. Majors can pursue an interdisciplinary interest, such as biophysics, by carefully choosing electives. The Bachelor of Arts is a good choice for students preparing to teach secondary school.
Double-counting restrictions: students majoring in Physics cannot double-count courses toward a Chemical Physics major.
| Semester Hours | View Full Course Catalog >> |
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The Bachelor of Science degree requires the following courses completed with grades of C- or better: 32 semester hours in physics, including: Introductory Physics I - choose from: PHYS-202, PHYS-203 or PHYS-204 Introductory Physics II - choose from: PHYS-205 or PHYS-206 PHYS-301 and PHYS-302 20 semester hours in mathematics (all courses from MATH-111 Calculus I up to and including MATH-353 Differential Equations) 12 4 semester hours from CHEM-101, CHEM-103, or CHEM-111, and 8 additional hours in approved biology, chemistry, earth and environmental sciences, mathematics, or computer science courses |
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The Bachelor of Arts degree requires the following courses completed with grades of C- or better: 32 semester hours in physics, including: Introductory Physics I - choose from: PHYS-202, PHYS-203 or PHYS-204 Introductory Physics II - choose from: PHYS-205 or PHYS-206 PHYS-301 and PHYS-302 16 semester hours in mathematics courses consisting of MATH-111 Calculus I, MATH-112 Calculus II, MATH-201 Linear Algebra and MATH-211 Multivariable Calculus 12 4 semester hours in General Chemistry I (CHEM-101, CHEM-103, or CHEM-111), and 8 additional hours in approved biology, chemistry, earth and environmental sciences, mathematics, or computer science courses |
Minor in Physics. Students consult with their major adviser and a physics faculty member to design minor programs. The minor requires with grades of C- or better 18 semester hours in physics, including Introductory Physics I (PHYS-202, -203, or 204) and Introductory Physics II (PHYS-205 or -206). Suggested additional courses for computer science majors are PHYS-101 and PHYS-303. Suggestions for mathematics majors are PHYS-301/302 and PHYS-401.
Double-counting restriction: students majoring in chemical physics may not double-count courses towards a chemistry or physics minor.
Teaching Certification. Coursework required by the state of Pennsylvania for admission to the teacher certification program includes successful completion of ENGL-100 Writing and Thinking or equivalent course, at least 3 semester hours in British or American literature, at least 6 semester hours of mathematics coursework (or other courses which satisfy the Central Curriculum Analytical Thought requirement), and at least one 40-hour externship.
Education course requirements for secondary education are EDUC-101 Introduction to Education and Society, EDUC-102 Historical and Philosophical Foundations of Education, EDUC-250 Educational Psychology, EDUC-260 Introduction to Special Education, EDUC-270 Instruction of Exceptional Students, EDUC-330 Technology in Education, EDUC-350 English Language Learners: Theory and Instruction, EDUC-380 Instructional Design, EDUC-424 Methods of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment in Teaching Science, EDUC-479 Principles of Learning and Teaching in Secondary Education, EDUC-483 Differentiated Instruction and Classroom Management in Secondary Education, and the EDUC-500 Student Teaching package (EDUC-501, EDUC-502, EDUC-503, and EDUC-600).
In addition, secondary education physics students complete all of the usual requirements for the physics major.
Department: Physics
Associate Professor of Physics
Specialty
Experimental Particle Physics
zain@susqu.edu
570-372-4006
Department: Physics
Assistant Professor of Physics
Specialty
Atomic Molecular Physics
faust@susqu.edu
570-372-4471
Department: Physics
Assistant Professor of Physics
Specialty
Biophysics
pirbhai@susqu.edu
570-372-4213
Department: Physics
Adjunct Faculty in Physics
Specialty
Capstone Research
everly@susqu.edu
570-372-4211
Liberal Arts Meets Engineering
We have the best of both worlds available to you. Pursue a liberal arts and science education from Susquehanna and an engineering education from Columbia University through a new combined degree program.
You'll earn a Bachelor of Arts or Science degree from us and a Bachelor of Science degree from Columbia through The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS) in just five years. After attending Susquehanna for about three years, completing the equivalent of three academic years, you'll then attend SEAS for at least two years to complete the requirements for your intended major.
Learn More
For triple major Andrew Steely ’18, some of his best experiences at Susquehanna came in the lab.
Stephanie Schneider '15 Howson has always had a love for mathematics.
Hareem Zain '19 is one of the first students to study engineering at Columbia University through our 3+2 cooperative agreement with the elite New York City school.
Contact Us
Phone & Email
Samya Bano Zain, department head
570-372-4006
zain@susqu.edu
Labs & Equipment
