Programs of
Study
Physics
Faculty
Christine A. Zakzewski, Ph.D., Chair
W. Andrew Berger, Ph.D.
Joseph W. Connolly, Ph.D.
Declan Mulhall, Ph.D.
Jeremy Sepinsky, Ph.D.
Robert A. Spalletta, Ph.D.
Argyrios C. Varonides, Ph.D.
Overview
The Department of Physics and Electrical Engineering offers majors in Physics and Biophysics, as well as the Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering and Electronics-Business majors described earlier. The objectives of the department are to provide skills, understanding, and the methodology required to initiate active participation in the development of new knowledge about the material universe. The approach of the physicist, based as it is on the analysis of mathematical models dealing with matter and energy and their interactions, supplies a unique and important insight to the solution of problems in many disciplines.
A study by the Office of Institutional Research at Franklin and Marshall College shows that over 66 years, The University of Scranton ranked 33rd out of 977 four-year, private, primarily undergraduate institutions as the baccalaureate origin of physics doctorates. In addition, the Biophysics concentration has regularly produced students admitted to medical school.
Minor in Physics
21 credits, including PHYS 140, 141, 270 (all with labs), 352, ENGR 252, and at least one of PHYS 473, 372 and/or 371.
The Biophysics major is designed to prepare a student to apply the physical and mathematical sciences to problems arising in the life sciences and medicine. By choosing proper electives, the student can prepare to enter graduate study of biophysics, biology, biochemistry, medicine or dentistry.
Physics
Curriculum
|
| Dept. and
No. |
|
Descriptive Title of
Course |
Credits |
|
|
|
|
FIRST YEAR |
FALL |
SPRING |
| MAJOR |
 |
PHYS 140-141 |
|
Elements of Physics I-II |
4 |
4 |
| COGNATE |
|
MATH 103
1 -114
or 114–221 |
|
Pre-Calc. Math–Analysis I
OR Analysis I–II |
4 |
4 |
| COGNATE |
|
CMPS 134 |
|
Computer Science I |
|
3 |
| GE WRTG-SPCH |
|
WRTG 107 - COMM 100
|
|
Compositon - Public
Speaking |
3 |
3 |
| GE C/IL |
|
C/IL 102 |
|
Computing & Information Literacy |
3 |
|
| GE PHIL |
|
PHIL 120 |
|
Introduction to
Philosophy |
|
3 |
| GE FSEM-PHED |
|
INTD 100 - PHED |
|
Freshman Seminar -
Physical Education |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
15 |
18 |
|
|
|
|
SECOND YEAR |
|
|
| MAJOR |
|
PHYS 270-352 |
|
Modern Physics -
Statistical & Engineering Thermodynamics |
4 |
3 |
| COGNATE |
|
ENGR 253-254 |
|
Intro. to CAD - 3-D CAD |
1 |
1 |
| COGNATE |
|
MATH 221–222
or 222–341 |
|
Analysis II–III
OR Analysis III–Diff. Equations |
4 |
4 |
| GE S/BH |
|
S/BH ELECT |
|
Social/Behavioral
Electives |
3 |
3 |
| GE HUMN |
|
HUMN ELECT |
|
Humanities Electives |
3 |
3 |
| GE T/RS–PHIL |
|
T/RS 121–PHIL 210 |
|
Theology I–Ethics |
3 |
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
18 |
17 |
|
|
|
|
THIRD YEAR |
|
|
| MAJOR |
|
PHYS 447-448 |
|
Electromagnetics I-II |
3 |
4 |
| MAJOR |
|
PHYS 371-372 |
|
Mechanics - Quantum Mechanics |
3 |
3 |
| MAJOR |
|
PHYS 350 |
|
Applied & Engineering
Math |
3 |
|
| COGNATE/MAJOR |
|
MATH 341 or ELECT |
|
Differential Equations or
Elective |
3-4 |
|
| GE T/RS |
|
T/RS 122 |
|
Theology II |
|
3 |
| GE PHIL-T/RS |
|
PHIL or T/RS ELECT |
|
Philosophy or T/RS
Elective |
|
3 |
| GE HUMN |
|
HUMN ELECT |
|
Humanities Electives |
3 |
3 |
| GE PHED |
|
PHED ELECT |
|
Physical Education |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
16-17
|
17 |
|
|
|
|
FOURTH YEAR |
|
|
| MAJOR |
|
PHYS 493 |
|
Physics Research |
3 |
3 |
| MAJOR |
|
PHYS/EE |
|
Physics/EE Electives |
|
3 |
| MAJOR |
|
PHYS ELECT |
|
Physics Elective |
3 |
3 |
| COGNATE |
|
COGNATE ELECT |
|
Cognate Elective |
3 |
|
| GE ELECT |
|
FREE ELECT |
|
Free Electives |
6 |
6 |
|
|
|
|
|
15 |
15 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total:
131-132 Credits |
1 Physics majors starting with MATH 103 due to placement test results take one less Physics elective. |
 |
