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Fall 2025 Undergraduate Catalog
Physics, BS
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 Return to: Majors
Department of Physics and Astronomy, College of Arts and Sciences
Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Science in Physics
Chair: Chang-Kee Jung
Department Administrator: Nathan Leoce-Schappin
Director of Undergraduate Studies: Dominik Schneble
Assistant to the Director: Diane Diaferia
Astronomy Coordinator: Michael Zingale
Office: P-110 Physics
Phone: (631) 632-8036, 632-8100
Minors of particular interest to students majoring in Physics: Astronomy (AST), Computer Science (CSE), Electrical Engineering (ESE), Materials Science (ESM), Mathematics (MAT), Nanotechnology Studies (NTS), Science and Engineering (LSE)
Physics is the study of the basic physical principles that govern our universe. This study uses the language of mathematics and is applied in all other natural sciences (astronomy, chemistry, biology, geology, etc.) and engineering. The objective of the major in Physics is to teach students those principles, and, in general, how to think scientifically about the physical world.
A basic education in physics is also applicable to many other fields, including astronomy, engineering, computer programming, geology, biophysics, medicine, medical technology, teaching, law, business, etc. Since the basic principles of physics do not go out of style, and will be the basis for many new technologies, the Physics major provides the ability to adapt to new conditions; hence its permanent value. After graduation approximately half of our Physics majors go on to graduate school, either in physics or in a related field (such as those mentioned above). The other half initially take positions in industry, but many of them later return to graduate school.
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Degree Requirements
The major in Physics leads to the Bachelor of Science degree. All courses used to satisfy the major requirements must be completed with a grade of C or higher, except that a maximum of three courses at the 100- or 200-level may be completed with a grade of C-. Completion of the major requires approximately 65 credits. One of the following sequences:
Notes:
Note: Equivalency for MAT courses achieved on the Mathematics Placement Examination is accepted as fulfillment of the corresponding requirements, as indicated in the Course Descriptions section of this Bulletin. Courses in Related Fields
Twelve credits of physics-related courses that complement a Physics major’s education are required. The intent is to add courses, especially in other quantitative sciences, which prepare the student for successful employment in research, education or industry. Any course beyond those required for the physics major that is required by the student’s minor, second major or master’s degree (for students in a combined degree program) is automatically included in the list of related courses. Additional related courses are listed below, but they are not exclusive. If another course is of interest and should qualify under the above goals, consult the undergraduate program director to see if it can be included. Upper-Division Writing Requirement
Students are certified as satisfying the upper-division writing requirement by registering for the 0-credit PHY 459 and completing a writing project within their major. Students majoring in physics should consult an actual publication (for instance in Physical Review Letters or Physics Today) when considering the style of their submission. The writing project should be a clear, concise expression of a scientific statement. Within the first month of the semester in which the writing requirement is to be satisfied, the student should speak to the supervisor about his/her plans. If there are questions over the suitability of the proposed writing project, the student should discuss the proposal with the undergraduate program director. After the paper is accepted by the supervisor it is submitted to the undergraduate program director for a final approval. Satisfaction of the writing requirement is certified independently of the course grade, and is best completed in the junior year. Students should consult with the department advisor to ensure that their plan for completing the Upper Division Writing Requirement is consistent with university graduation requirements for General Education. Students completing the Stony Brook Curriculum (SBC) must complete a course that satisfies the “Write Effectively within One’s Discipline” (WRTD) learning objective to graduate. The Upper Division Writing Requirement is consistent in most cases with the SBC learning outcomes for WRTD. Physics Honors Program
To receive the Bachelor of Science in Physics with honors, in addition to having completed all the requirements for the B.S. in Physics, a student must satisfy the following: - PHY 487 - Research 0-6 credits (at least 3 credits total)
- Two other 400-level physics courses (three credits each, excluding PHY 475 )
- Overall grade point average of at least 3.30 in all physics courses numbered 300 or higher.
The Research Program
Students who wish to pursue graduate study in physics should choose a program similar to this suggested example: Note:
Note: Of the courses mentioned above, the CHE courses, MAT 341 , MAT 342 , PHY 302 , and 400 level courses other than PHY 445 are not required for the B.S. in Physics. Specialization in Optics
Students majoring in Physics may decide to pursue a specialization in Optics. This specialization is listed on the official transcript. In addition to the courses required for the major, students must complete the following with a grade of C or better to satisfy the requirements of the specialization: Required Departmental Courses (6 credits)
Optics-Related Laboratory Experience
One Additional Elective Course:
Either Physics Secondary Teacher Education Program
See the Education and Teacher Certification entry in alphabetical listings of Approved Majors, Minors, and Programs. Introductory Physics Sequences
The Department of Physics offers four Introductory Physics Sequences. The PHY 121 , PHY 122 sequence is designed specifically for students majoring in biological sciences or pre-medical/pre-health programs. Any of the other three sequences (PHY 131 /PHY 133 , PHY 132 /PHY 134 ; PHY 141 /PHY 133 , PHY 142 /PHY 134 ; PHY 125 , PHY 126 , PHY 127 and PHY 133 and PHY 134 together with PHY 251 /PHY 252 constitute a comprehensive introduction to classical and modern physics for those who may major in Physics, other physical sciences, or engineering. These three introductory Physics sequences cover the same material, although the pace is different. The two-semester sequence (PHY 131 /PHY 133 , PHY 132 /PHY 134 or PHY 141 /PHY 133 , PHY 142 /PHY 134 ) should be taken only by students who are prepared for a pace considerably faster than the three semester sequence (PHY 125 /PHY 126 /PHY 127 /PHY 133 /PHY 134 ). The PHY 141 /PHY 133 /PHY 142 /PHY 134 sequence is designed for students with the strongest interest and preparation in physics and mathematics. In the PHY 125 /PHY 126 /PHY 133 /PHY 127 /PHY 134 sequence, PHY 126 and PHY 127 may be taken in either order, although PHY 133 remains a prerequisite for PHY 134 . SBC Courses
This table illustrates major courses that can also be used to fulfill SBC requirements. (See Note 1 & Note 2) | SBC Category | Required Major Courses | Optional Major Courses (see Note 3) | | ARTS | | | | GLO | | | | HUM | | | | LANG (see Note 4) | | | | QPS | | AMS 102, AMS 110, AMS 151, MAT 123, MAT 125, MAT 131 | | SBS | | EST 392 | | SNW | PHY 131, PHY 132 | BIO 201, CHE 131, CHE 132, CHE 152, PHY 125, PHY 127, PHY 126, PHY 141 | | TECH | PHY 277, PHY 335 | ATM 247, BME 100, CSE 110, MAT 331 | | USA | | | | WRT | | | | STAS | | ECO 373, EST 291, EST 320 | | EXP+ | | AST 287, ATM 487, EST 499 | | HFA+ | | | | SBS+ | | AMS 335, ECO 303, ECO 305, ECO 355 | | STEM+ | PHY 251, PHY 300 | AMS 261, AMS 301, AMS 310, AMS 361, AST 203, AST 205, ATM 205, ATM 247, ATM 305, BIO 202, BIO 203, CHE 301, CHE 321, MAT 203, MAT 211, MAT 307, MAT 303, MAT 308 | | CER | | ATM 315, ATM 397 | | DIV (see Note 5) | | | | ESI | PHY 445 | AMS 315, AST 443, ATM 320, GEO 287 | | SPK | PHY 445 | AST 443, PHY 458 | | WRTD | PHY 459 | | Note 1: Some course information may be subject to change. Please contact your major advisor for additional consultation. Note 2: For majors that require study in a related area or completion of a minor, visit the respective program’s “Major SBC Courses” page to view expanded SBC options. Note 3: Denotes any course in which students can choose from more than one option. These may include, but are not limited to, major electives, concentration/track/specialization courses, or calculus/physics/chemistry sequences. Note 4: CEAS majors, the Athletic Training major, the Respiratory Care major, and the Clinical Laboratory Sciences major are exempt from the LANG learning objective. Students enrolled in the major in Social Work are exempt from the LANG learning objective, but are required to enroll in and pass with a letter grade of C or higher the first semester of an elementary foreign language course numbered 111, or satisfy through alternate methods. Note 5: Students are responsible for completing the general education requirements published in the Bulletin that was current as of the first semester of matriculation (or rematriculation). The following student groups must satisfy the DIV learning objective as part of their degree requirements: - Freshmen who matriculate in the Fall of 2019 or later
- Transfer students who matriculate in the Spring of 2020 or later
- Students who rematriculate in the Fall of 2019 or later
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