Not only do the laws of physics govern the universe, they drive many rapidly advancing fields that shape modern daily life, such as information technology, medical technology, microelectronics, and telecommunications.
The Bachelor of Science in Physics program at Stevens prepares you for a career in industry or research in one of these areas. Our program lays a solid foundation of both theory and practice through rigorous classroom instruction and hands-on research experience in state-of-the-art research laboratories. You’ll be immersed in optics and quantum information research early on in your studies and participate in a six-semester design sequence called SKIL (Science Knowledge Integration Ladder), where you will work on projects that foster independent learning, innovative problem solving, collaboration, teamwork, and knowledge integration under the guidance of a faculty advisor.
Currently, no concentrations are offered for the Physics undergraduate program.
Program Objectives and Outcomes
- Graduates choosing academic careers in physics will be successful as Ph.D. candidates in internationally recognized programs in physics or related fields
- Graduates will be able to find rewarding careers in industry, government, education, or through the creation of their own businesses where they are able to apply their physics knowledge and skills to solve real world problems
- Graduates will be able to successfully carry out independent research projects in either academia or industry and clearly communicate their results to the relevant professional bodies
- Graduates will demonstrate strong teamwork and leadership skills in solving complex and interdisciplinary problems in science and engineering
Student Outcomes
By the end of this program, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate proficiency in mathematical and computational techniques needed for a proper understanding of physics
- Analyze and model physical phenomena using their understanding of fundamental laws of physics
- Function effectively in laboratory environment, enabling them to take measurements in a physics laboratory and analyze the measurements to draw valid conclusions
- Communicate scientific and technical topics with both specialized and general target audiences
- Work as a part of a team and to foster leadership skills
Physics Curriculum
Term I
| CAL 103 | Writing and Communications Colloquium | 3 |
| CH 115 | General Chemistry I | 3 |
| CH 117 | General Chemistry Laboratory I | 1 |
| | | |
| CS 105 | Introduction to Scientific Computing | 3 |
| | Or | |
| CS 115 | Introduction to Computer Science | 4 |
| | | |
| MA 121 | Differential Calculus | 2 |
| MA 122 | Integral Calculus | 2 |
| PEP 111 | Mechanics | 3 |
| PEP 187 | Seminar in Physics | 3 |
Students who have no prior computer programming experience should take
CS 105. Students who have previously taken a computer programming course should instead consider
CS 115, particularly if they wish to pursue a minor in computer science.
Term II
| CAL 105 | CAL Colloquium: Knowledge, Nature, Culture | 3 |
| CH 116 | General Chemistry II | 3 |
| CH 118 | General Chemistry Laboratory II | 1 |
| MA 125 | Vectors and Matrices | 2 |
| MA 126 | Multivariable Calculus I | 2 |
| PEP 112 | Electricity and Magnetism | 3 |
| | Science Elective | 3 |
Term III
| MA 221 | Differential Equations | 4 |
| PEP 221 | Physics Lab I for Scientists | 1 |
| PEP 297 | SKIL I: Introduction to Data Analysis and Electronic Based Measurements | 2 |
| PEP 242 | Modern Physics | 3 |
| PEP 330 | Introduction Thermal and Statistical Physics | 3 |
| HUM | Humanities | 3 |
Term IV
| | | |
| MA 222 | Probability and Statistics | 3 |
| | Or | |
| ENGR 241 | Probability and Statistics with Data Science Applications | 4 |
| | | |
| MA 225 | Infinite Series | 2 |
| MA 226 | Multivariable Calculus II | 2 |
| PEP 209 | Fundamentals of Optics | 3 |
| PEP 222 | Physics Lab II for Scientists | 1 |
| PEP 298 | SKIL II: Digital Electronics and Microprocessor Controlled Measurements | 3 |
| PEP 369 | Introduction to Quantum Physics | 3 |
| HUM | Humanities | 3 |
Term V
| PEP 332 | Mathematical Techniques for Engineering Physics | 3 |
| PEP 397 | SKIL III: Advanced Measurement Techniques and System Design | 3 |
| PEP 538 | Introduction to Mechanics | 3 |
| G.E. | General Elective | 3 |
| HUM | Humanities | 3 |
Term VI
Term VII
| PEP 553 | Quantum Mechanics and Engineering Applications | 3 |
| G.E. | General Elective | 3 |
| T.E. | Technical Elective | 3 |
| T.E. | Technical Elective | 3 |
| HUM | Humanities | 3 |
Term VIII
| T.E. | Technical Elective | 3 |
| T.E. | Technical Elective | 3 |
| T.E. | Technical Elective | 3 |
| T.E. | Technical Elective | 3 |
| HUM | Humanities | 3 |
Notes:
(1) General Electives are chosen by the student and can be used towards a minor, double major, or other degree option.
(2) Technical Electives are discussed in more detail in Requirements below.
(3) Humanities: Please see Humanities Requirements for specific requirements.
Requirements
Science Elective
The following courses may be used to satisfy the science elective requirement:
| PEP 151 | Introduction to Astronomy | 3 |
| PEP 152 | Introduction to Astrobiology | 3 |
| BIO 181 | Biology and Biotechnology | 3 |
| EN 250 | Quantitative Biology | 3 |
| EN 275 | Environmental Biology | 3 |
| CE 240 | Introduction to Geosciences | 3 |
| NANO 200 | Introduction to Nanotechnology | 3 |
Technical Electives
Technical electives are any 3 credit courses offered by the Physics Department at the 300 level or above that are not already required for the program. The following courses may be counted as technical electives towards completion of the physics undergraduate program:
| PEP 305 | Physics of Biological Systems | 3 |
| PEP 336 | Introduction to Astrophysics and Cosmology | 3 |
| PEP 337 | Observational Astrophysics | 3 |
| PEP 351 | Introduction to Planetary Science | 3 |
| PEP 440 | Astrophysical Flows: Planets, Stars, and Accretion Disks | 3 |
| PEP 445 | Black Holes, White Dwarfs, and Neutron Stars | 3 |
| PEP 497 | SKIL V: Senior Project I | 3 |
| PEP 498 | SKIL VI: Senior Project II | 3 |
| PEP 501 | Fundamentals of Atomic Physics | 3 |
| PEP 503 | Introduction to Solid State Physics | 3 |
| PEP 506 | Modern Astrophysics and Cosmology | 3 |
| PEP 507 | Introduction to Microelectronics and Photonics | 3 |
| PEP 509 | Intermediate Waves and Optics | 3 |
| PEP 510 | Modern Optics Laboratory | 3 |
| PEP 511 | Experimental Quantum Information | 3 |
| PEP 515 | Photonics I | 3 |
| PEP 516 | Photonics II | 3 |
| PEP 520 | Computational Physics | 3 |
| PEP 528 | Mathematical Methods of Science and Engineering II | 3 |
| PEP 554 | Quantum Mechanics II | 3 |
| PEP 555 | Statistical Physics and Kinetic Theory | 3 |
| PEP 552 | Theory of Relativity | 3 |
| PEP 557 | Quantum Information and Quantum Computation | 3 |
| PEP 561 | Solid State Electronics for Engineering I | 3 |
| PEP 562 | Solid State Electronics for Engineering II | 3 |
| PEP 577 | Laser Theory and Design | 3 |
| PEP 578 | Laser Applications and Advanced Optics | 3 |
| PEP 579 | Nonlinear Optics | 3 |
Courses offered by other departments that have sufficient physics content may be counted as technical electives upon approval by an academic advisor.