Physics majors enrolled in the B.A. program are required to take the following courses: Physics 3, 4, 13, 14, 17, 19, 27, 41 and one Physics elective (Physics 16, 18, 20, or 28); Math 7, 8, 9 and 21; and Chemistry 3, 4, or Biology 1S, 1M, or Geography 3, 4. They are advised to include Mathematics 51 among their electives.
Typical Program for B.A. in Physics
Freshman YearCredits
| Physics |
3, 48 |
| Mathematics |
7, 88 |
| Social Science |
6 |
| Language/Literature |
6 |
| Arts |
3 |
|
College 101 |
1 |
| |
|
| |
Total 32 |
Sophomore YearCredits
| Physics |
41, 147 |
| Mathematics |
9, 218 |
| Chemistry |
3, 48 |
| History/Philosophy |
3 |
| Political Science/Economics |
6 |
| |
|
| |
Total 32 |
Junior Year Credits
| Physics |
13, 196 |
| History/Philosophy |
6 |
| Arts |
3 |
| Electives |
18 |
| |
|
| |
Total 33 |
Senior YearCredits
| Physics |
17, 276 |
| Physics elective |
3 |
| Liberal arts electives |
9 |
| Electives |
14 |
| |
|
| |
Total 32 |
B.S. in Mathematics and Physics
Students enrolled in the B.S. in Mathematics and Physics program are required to take the following courses: Physics 3, 4, 13, 14, 17, 19, 27, and 41; Mathematics 7, 8, 9, 21, and four upper level courses chosen with the approval of the Mathematics Department; Computer Science 111; Chemistry 3, 4.
Typical Program for B.S. in Mathematics and Physics
Freshman Year Credits
| Mathematics |
7, 88 |
| Chemistry |
3, 48 |
| Computer Science |
1114 |
| Language/Literature |
6 |
| Social Science |
6 |
| College 101 |
1 |
| |
|
| |
Total 33 |
Sophomore YearCredits
| Mathematics |
9, 21. 82 11 |
| Physics |
3, 4, 41 12 |
| History/Philosophy |
6 |
| Arts |
3 |
| |
|
| |
Total 32 |
Junior YearCredits
| Mathematics |
23, 516 |
| Physics |
13, 14, 17. 19 12 |
| Political Science/Economics |
6 |
| History/Philosophy |
3 |
| Arts |
3 |
| Free electives |
3 |
| |
|
| |
Total 33 |
Senior YearCredits
| Mathematics elective |
3 |
| Free elective |
28 |
| |
|
| |
Total 31 |
Minor in Physics
The requirements for the Physics minor are Physics 3, 4, 19 and two Physics electives in courses numbered 13 or higher for a total of either 17 or 18 credits, depending upon the choice of electives.
The Pre-Engineering Transfer Program
The Pre-engineering program at C.W. Post has been set up to provide two options: (1) transfer to an engineering school after three years at C. W. Post; or (2) remain here for a fourth year to receive a B.S. in Mathematics and Physics. To facilitate transfer, we have established articulation agreements with Polytechnic University, Stevens Institute of Technology, and Arizona State University; some students have also transferred to other first-rate engineering schools as well. You can choose from the wide range of engineering specialties offered by these schools, including Engineering Management. The C.W. Post faculty pre-engineering advisor will provide whatever assistance you may need to transfer. It will typically take two years of additional study at the engineering school. Upon completing the senior year, you will qualify for both a B.S. in engineering from the engineering school, and the B.S. in Mathematics and Physics from C.W. Post. This 3-2 program will likely cost less than going directly to the engineering school for four (or sometimes five) years of study. It will also give you time to see if engineering is right for you. If it is not, then you have recourse to option (2).
This second option is more appropriate if you plan to go on to graduate school. The B.S. in Mathematics and Physics provides a sound preparation for graduate work in either engineering, physics, or applied mathematics. It also provides excellent preparation or a career in the actuarial field, and has proven valuable for gaining admission to medical or dental schools.
For more information about the program contact the Department of Mathematics or the Department of Physics. You can also e-mail the faculty pre-engineering advisor at jpeters@liu.edu.
Physics Courses
Physics 1, 2 Physics
Same as Physics 11, 12, without the laboratory.
No prerequisites.
Four lecture-recitation hours per week.
On Occasion, 3 credits per semester.
PHY 3, 4 University Physics
This course is a fundamental, calculus-based physics course for science majors and pre-professional students. Physics 3 is concerned with the laws and principles of mechanics, thermodynamics and waves; Physics 4 with electricity, magnetism, optics and an introduction to modern physics.
Prerequisites or corequisites: Mathematics 7 for Physics 3 and Mathematics 8 for Physics 4.
Four lecture-recitation hours and two laboratory hours per week. Laboratory fee, $50 each semester.
Annually, 4 credits per semester
PHY 6 The Physics of Music
In this course, the nature and production of musical sound is related to the physical theory of wave phenomena. The quality and construction of musical instruments and acoustic properties of concert halls is studied. Demonstrations and experiments are performed to illustrate the physical theories.
No previous college work in Mathematics or Physics is required.
On Occasion, 3 credits
PHY 7 Modern Physics for the Nonscientist
A nonmathematical survey of 20th-century physics, specifically the theories of relativity, quantum mechanics, and laser physics. The course will stress the basic concepts and philosophy of modern physics and its impact on today's society.
Prerequisite: High school algebra.
Three lecture hours each week.
On Occasion, 3 credits
PHY 9, 10 Introductory Astronomy
This course is a survey of astronomy that uses elementary mathematics to illustrates the teachings of physics that apply to our understanding of the universe. Topics include planetary motion, the solar system, the source of energy in the stars, and the origin of the universe.
Same as Astronomy 9, 10.
Three lecture/three laboratory hours per week.
Laboratory fee, $50 per semester.
Students may elect to take the course without the laboratory for 3 credits or with the laboratory for four credits.
Students taking this course in fulfillment of the core requirements must take the course with the laboratory.
Annually, 3 or 4 credits per semester.
PHY 11, 12 College Physics
This is an introductory physics course, without calculus, for non-science majors. Physics 11 treats the laws and principles of mechanics, thermodynamics and waves. Physics 12 covers electricity, magnetism, optics and an introduction to modern physics.
Six class/laboratory hours per week.
Laboratory fee, $50 per semester.
On Occasion, 4 credits per semester
PHY 13 Classical Thermodynamics
This course examines the laws of thermodynamics in addition to thermodynamic equations for simple and heterogeneous systems and thermodynamic equilibrium.
Prerequisites: Physics 3, 4.
Corequisite: Mathematics 9.
Three lecture-recitation hours per week.
On Occasion, 3 credits
PHY 14 Modern Optics
This course examines the wave equation and D'Alembert's solution, refractive index and absorption, least action and ray optics for lenses and mirrors, optical instruments including lasers and their limitations, interference and diffraction. An introduction to Fourier optics is included.
Prerequisites: Physics 3,4.
Corequisite: Mathematics 9.
Three lecture-recitation hours each week.
On Occasion, 3 credits
PHY 16 Electricity and Magnetism
This course covers electrostatics, steady currents, electromagnetic induction, magnetic fields of electric currents, magnetic materials, alternating currents, and Maxwell's equations.
Prerequisites: Physics 3, 4 and Mathematics 21.
Three lecture-recitation hours each week.
On Occasion, 3 credits
PHY 17 Mechanics 1
Statics and dynamics of particles and systems of particles are covered in this course.
Prerequisites: Physics 3, 4 and Mathematics 9.
Three lecture-recitation hours each week.
On Occasion, 3 credits
PHY 18 Mechanics 2
In this course, the areas covered are: statics and dynamics of rigid bodies, Lagrange and Hamilton's equations, oscillating systems, introduction to the mechanics of continuous media.
Prerequisites: Physics 17.
Three lecture-recitation hours each week.
On Occasion, 3 credits
PHY 19 Modern Physics I
This course is an introduction to the physics of the 20th century. Topics covered include special relativity, the Heisenberg uncertainty principle, the Schrodinger equation, spin angular momentum, the Pauli principle, atomic and molecular structure, and perturbation theory.
Prerequisites: Physics 3, 4.
Co-requisites: Mathematics 9.
Three lecture-recitation hours per week.
Fall, 3 credits
PHY 20 Nuclear Physics
This course is a continuation of Physics 19. Topics covered include collision theory, classical and quantum statistics, solid state physics, nuclear physics, elementary particles and the Dirac equation.
Prerequisites: Physics 19.
Corequisite: Mathematics 21.
Three lecture-recitation hours per week.
On Occasion, 3 credits
PHY 27, 28 Advanced Laboratory
This course is an introduction to the general techniques of experimental physics. Selected experiments in the fields of spectroscopy, heat, electricity, electronics, and atomic physics are conducted.
Prerequisite: A Physics course numbered 13 or higher.
Four laboratory hours each week.
Laboratory fee, $50 each semester.
On Occasion, 3 credits per semester
PHY 41 Engineering Circuit Analysis
In this course, the basic concepts of electrical circuit theory and system analysis are introduced. Topics include: circuit elements, practical sources and semiconductor devices, steady state nodal and mesh analysis of d.c. and a.c. circuits, network theorems, filters and resonance, operational amplifiers and transformers, Laplace transforms. The course also contains a laboratory component for which students construct and test circuits.
Prerequisite: Physics 4 or permission of instructor.
Four lecture-recitation-laboratory hours each week.
Laboratory fee: $40.
Annually, 4 credits
PHY 45 Electromagnetic Radiation Theory
This course examines Maxwell's equations, the wave equations and their solution, electromagnetic theory of light, cavity resonators, wave guides.
Prerequisites: Physics 16 and Mathematics 21.
Three lecture-recitation hours each week.
On Occasion, 3 credits
PHY 48, 49 Solid State Physics
This course is an introduction to the physics of metals, semiconductors, and insulators that includes the study of crystal structure, lattice vibrations, electron motion in crystals, electrical and thermal properties, magnetism, Fermi surfaces, superconductivity.
Prerequisite: Physics 19.
Three lecture-recitation hours each week.
On Occasion, 3 credits per semester
PHY 50 Digital Electronics
This course is an introduction to digital systems, including treatment of combinational logic, switching algebra, minimization of logic networks, flip-flops and other circuit elements, sequential networks, and the design of digital systems.
Prerequisite: Physics 41.
Three lecture-recitation hours each week.
On Occasion, 3 credits
PHY 61, 62 Advanced Topics in Physics
When offered, the specific contents for that semester and the specific prerequisites for that semester will be announced in advance of registration.
On occasion, 3 or 4 credits each semester
See statement in Registration section concerning graduate courses open to undergraduates. Student needs written permission of academic counselor, chair, and dean.
PHY 501, 502. Introduction to Theoretical Physics
PHY 503, 506. Advanced Laboratory
PHY 505, 506. X-ray Crystallography |
