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Bachelor of Science in Physics

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.

Program Description

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 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.

 

Concentrations

Currently there are 3 optional concentrations available to physics majors:

 

Astrophysics Concentration

    a. Required Courses: PEP 336 and PEP 506

    b. Plus Any Two of the Following: PEP 351, PEP 337, PEP 440, PEP 445

 

Photonics Concentration

    a. Required Courses: PEP 509 and PEP 309

    b. Plus Any Two of the Following: PEP 510, PEP 515, PEP 516, PEP 570,
        PEP 577, PEP 578, PEP 579

 

Quantum Engineering Concentration

    a. Required Courses: PEP 543, PEP 557, and PEP 511

    b. Plus Any One of the Following: PEP 554 or PEP 579

 

 

Minors

 

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

CH 115General Chemistry I

3
CH 117General Chemistry Laboratory I

1

CS 105Introduction to Scientific Computing

3
Or
CS 115Introduction to Computer Science

4

HASS 103Writing and Communications Colloquium

3
MA 121Differential Calculus

2
MA 122Integral Calculus

2
PEP 111Mechanics

3
PRV 101First Year Experience

1
Total Credit Hours:18-19
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

CH 116General Chemistry II

3
CH 118General Chemistry Laboratory II

1
HASS 105Knowledge, Nature, Culture

3
MA 125Vectors and Matrices

2
MA 126Multivariable Calculus I

2
PEP 112Electricity and Magnetism

3
PEP 187Seminar in Physics

1
Science Elective

3
Total Credit Hours:18

Term III

MA 221Differential Equations

4
PEP 221Physics Lab I for Scientists

1
PEP 242Modern Physics

3
PEP 297SKIL I: Introduction to Data Analysis and Electronic Based Measurements

2
PEP 330Introduction Thermal and Statistical Physics

3
PRV 20XFrontiers of Technology

1
Humanities

3
Total Credit Hours:17

Term IV

ENGR 241Probability and Statistics with Data Science Applications

4
Or
MA 222Probability and Statistics

3

MA 225Infinite Series

2
MA 226Multivariable Calculus II

2
PEP 209Fundamentals of Optics

3
PEP 222Physics Lab II for Scientists

1
PEP 369Introduction to Quantum Physics

3
Humanities

3
Total Credit Hours:17-18

Term V

PEP 298SKIL II: Digital Electronics and Microprocessor Controlled Measurements

2
PEP 332Mathematical Methods for Physical Sciences

3
PEP 538Introduction to Mechanics

3
MGT 103Introduction to Entrepreneurial Thinking

2
G.E.
General Elective

3
Humanities

3
Total Credit Hours:16

Term VI

PEP 397SKIL III: Advanced Measurement Techniques and System Design

3
PEP 542Electromagnetism

3

G.E.
General Elective

3
Humanities

3

PRV 20XFrontiers of Technology

1
PRV 20XFrontiers of Technology

1
Total Credit Hours:14

Term VII

PEP 553Quantum Mechanics and Engineering Applications

3
G.E.
General Elective

3
G.E.
General Elective

3
T.E.
Technical Elective

3
T.E.
Technical Elective

3
Total Credit Hours:15

Term VIII

G.E.
General Elective

3
T.E.
Technical Elective

3
T.E.
Technical Elective

3
T.E.
Technical Elective

3
T.E.
Technical Elective

3
Total Credit Hours:15

Notes:

(1) Technical Electives and Science Elective are discussed in more detail in Requirements below.

(2) General Electives can be selected from available courses offered by programs in SES (including PEP courses), SOB and HASS. Approval from the student’s advisor and the course instructor may be required.

(3) Humanities: Please see Humanities Requirements for specific requirements.
(4) SUCCESS Core Curriculum: Students must complete requirements including PRV 101, and three (3) courses from PRV 201, PRV 202, PRV 203, PRV 204, PRV 205. (For physics majors PRV 201, PRV 202 and PRV 204 are recommended; PRV 203 can also be taken if BIO 181 is not used for credit.)

Requirements

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 305Physics of Biological Systems

3
PEP 336Introduction to Astrophysics and Cosmology

3
PEP 337Observational Astrophysics

3
PEP 351Introduction to Planetary Science

3
PEP 440Astrophysical Flows: Planets, Stars, and Accretion Disks

3
PEP 445Black Holes, White Dwarfs, and Neutron Stars

3
PEP 497SKIL V: Senior Project I

3
PEP 498SKIL VI: Senior Project II

3
PEP 501Fundamentals of Atomic Physics

3
PEP 503Introduction to Solid State Physics

3
PEP 506Modern Astrophysics and Cosmology

3
PEP 507Introduction to Microelectronics and Photonics

3
PEP 509Intermediate Waves and Optics

3
PEP 510Modern Optics Laboratory

3
PEP 511Experimental Quantum Information

3
PEP 515Photonics I

3
PEP 516Photonics II

3
PEP 520Computational Physics

3
PEP 528Mathematical Methods of Science and Engineering II

3
PEP 554Quantum Mechanics I

3
PEP 555Statistical Physics and Kinetic Theory

3
PEP 552Theory of Relativity

3
PEP 557Quantum Information and Quantum Computation

3
PEP 561Solid State Electronics for Engineering I

3
PEP 562Solid State Electronics for Engineering II

3
PEP 577Laser Theory and Design

3
PEP 578Laser Applications and Advanced Optics

3
PEP 579Nonlinear Optics

3
Courses offered by other departments that have sufficient physics content may be counted as technical electives upon approval by an academic advisor.

Science Elective

The following courses may be used to satisfy the science elective requirement:
BIO 181Biology and Biotechnology

3
CE 240Introduction to Geosciences

3
EN 250Quantitative Biology

3
EN 275Environmental Biology

3
NANO 200Introduction to Nanotechnology

3
PEP 151Introduction to Astronomy

3
PEP 152Introduction to Astrobiology

3