
UNDERGRADUATE
PHYSICS
Program Director:
Robert McCarthy
Physics P-105
Hours: M,Tu 1-3 PM during the semester and by
appointment
robert.mccarthy@stonybrook.edu
The main reason to major in physics or
to take physics courses is that it teaches you how to
think. You may wish to apply this ability in many
different directions--from research in physics to applied
work in geology, medicine, biochemistry, engineering or
many other fields, or to teaching in high school. A
good way to explore a direction of your choice is to do
research. Recent undergraduates have done research in
physics, biology, physiology, neurobiology and
geology. Another way to find a direction which fits
you is through a minor or second major. Recent
double majors with physics have included astronomy,
mathematics, applied mathematics, computer science and
biomedical engineering. Most students take their
first physics course in one of the following introductory
sequences,
Introductory
Sequences in Physics
Course
Sequence
|
Setting
|
Calculus
required?
|
Typical
# students
|
|
|
|
|
Physics
for Environmental Sciences
|
|
|
|
PHY119
|
lecture
|
no
|
30
|
|
|
|
|
Physics
for the Life Sciences
|
|
|
|
PHY121/123-PHY122/124
|
lecture/lab
|
yes
|
500
|
|
lecture/lab
|
yes
|
70
|
|
|
|
|
Physics
for Scientists and Engineers
|
|
|
|
PHY125-PHY126-PHY127
|
lecture
|
yes
|
150
|
PHY131-PHY132
|
lecture
|
yes
|
450
|
|
online
|
yes
|
150
|
|
lecture/lab
|
yes
|
70
|
PHY141-PHY142
|
lecture
|
yes
|
40
|
PHY133-PHY134
|
lab
|
yes
|
800
|
We offer Physics for Environmental
Sciences as a one semester course sampling the most
important parts all of physics, as seen from the
perspective of an environmental scientist.
We also offer a two-semester Physics
for the Life Sciences sequence requiring some use of
calculus and covering all of classical and modern physcs. This sequence is
currently accepted for all life-science applications
including medical school.
In the studio version of PHY121-122
lecture, recitation and lab are all combined in one room
with flexible boundaries in time--and in a relatively
small class setting.
We offer three sequences of Physics for
Scientists and Engineers depending on the level at which
the student enters the sequence. The basic sequence is
PHY131-PHY132 which teaches all of classical physics in
two semesters. The pace of this course is very fast,
matching the abilities of students who have taken advanced
placement classes in high school. For students who feel
this pace is too fast (perhaps because they obtain a poor
grade on the first midterm exam),
there is a three-semester sequence, which teaches
the same topics covered in PHY131-PHY132, but in three
semesters: PHY125-PHY126-PHY127. Students who obtain a
poor score on the first midterm in PHY131 can drop-down
into PHY125 just after the first midterm in PHY131.
We also offer an online version of
PHY131. All the tests must be taken in a classroom, but
the lecture and recitation are totally online, including
clicker questions.
In the studio version of PHY131-132
lecture, recitation and lab are all combined in one room
with flexible boundaries in time--and in a relatively
small class setting.
The honors version of PHY131-132 is
called PHY141-142. It goes at the same speed as 131-132
but covers its topics in more depth.
The PHY133-PHY134 labs follow the
PHY131-PHY132 sequence of topics.
Courses
Click on "Courses" in the left border of this page
to see all the courses available in the Department of
Physics and Astronomy, The courses for non-science students are
highlighted in red on this page.
Major
and Minor Requirements in Physics
Click on "Undergraduate Bulletin" in the left
border of this page then "Programs and Courses" → "Majors,
Minors &Programs" → "Physics"
Specialization
in Optics (Physics Majors)
Click on "Undergraduate Bulletin" in the left
border of this page then "Programs and Courses" → "Majors,
Minors &Programs" → "Physics"
Minor
in Optics (Non-Physics Majors)
Click on "Undergraduate Bulletin" in the left
border of this page then "Programs and Courses" → "Majors,
Minors &Programs" → "Optics"
Sample
Course Sequences in Physics
Click on "Undergraduate Bulletin" in the left
border of this page then "Programs and Courses" → "Majors,
Minors &Programs" → "Physics" → "Sample Course
Sequence"
Careers in Physics Teaching
Click on "Becoming a Physics Teacher" in the left
border of this page.
Undergraduate
Research
Click on "Research" in the left border of this
page.