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F.A.Q.'s
Majors
Minor
Courses
Opportunities
Contact
F.A.Q.'s
Majors
Minor
Courses
Opportunities
Contact
An Undergraduate Major in Physics
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An example of a lightcone diagram, as studied in PHY 312, Relativity and Cosmology: Einstein and Beyond, a course about space and time. |
A Minor in physics is an excellent way of satisfying your curiosity about science while you major in another field. It is a particular asset for students competing for admission to professional schools such as law or medicine, or for students contemplating careers that require some technical background, including teaching, technical writing, information science, management in technology-oriented companies, and journalism.
The physics department welcomes students from other colleges and other majors as physics minors. Students in the S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications are required to designate a minor. In addition to the College of Arts and Sciences, several other Colleges at Syracuse University recognize a minor in physics, including the School of Management and the School of Information Studies. Engineering students can easily complete a physics minor, as many of the courses required by the Engineering School count towards the minor.
The requirements for the minor are PHY 211 and PHY 212 (or PHY215 and 216), PHY 221 and PHY 222, and 12 credits of coursework numbered 300 or above, for a total of 20 required credits. Calculus is a pre- or co-requisite for many of these courses.
Sample Curriculum
Courses in blue are required courses.
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Sample Course Sequence for a Minor in Physics | ||||
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Time |
Prefix |
Credits |
Full Name |
Notes |
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Freshman or Sophomore Year |
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Fall |
PHY 211 |
3 |
General Physics I |
PHY 215 is the honors and majors version of PHY 211. It is taught in a small class format and emphasizes contemporary research topics. |
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PHY 221 |
1 |
Physics Lab |
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MAT 295 |
4 |
Calculus I |
MAT 295 is preferred for physics minors. |
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Spring |
PHY 212 |
3 |
General Physics II |
PHY 216 is the honors and majors version of PHY 212. It is taught in a small class format and emphasizes contemporary research topics. |
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PHY 222 |
1 |
Physics Lab II |
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MAT 296 |
4 |
Calculus II |
MAT 296 is preferred for physics minors. |
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Sophomore or Junior Year |
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Fall |
PHY 361 |
3 |
Modern Physics |
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Spring |
PHY 344 |
4 |
Experimental Physics I |
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3 |
Physics Elective (or Spring, Senior Year) |
See below. |
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Senior |
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Fall |
3 |
Physics Elective |
See below. |
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Recommended courses include:
- PHY 307 (3) Science and Computers
- PHY 312 (3) Relativity and Cosmology: Einstein and Beyond
- PHY 315 (3) Biological and Medical Physics
- PHY 317 (3) Stellar and Interstellar Astrophysics
- PHY 319 (3) Astrobiology
- PHY 322 (3) Mechanics I
- PHY 399 (3) Practicum and Seminar in Physics Education
- PHY 424/ELE 324 (3) Electromagnetics I
