The Bachelor of Science in Physics prepares students to pursue careers in teaching, research and development, or to go on for further graduate study. The broadly applicable problem-solving and technical skills of Physics graduates are in high demand across diverse sectors, from healthcare to Silicon Valley. All instruction is provided by full-time faculty in small classes, affording many opportunities for close personal contact between students and instructors. All advanced undergraduate courses are given in the evening, allowing students to complete studies on either a full-time or part-time basis. Faculty members are actively engaged in research projects which offer exciting opportunities for student participation.
University Core Curriculum Requirements
General Education Distribution Area | Cr. Hrs. |
---|---|
Fine Arts (FA)* 2 courses, from at least two of the following areas of study: Art, CMT (Mass Media or Theatre), Music (includes Dance). | 6 |
Humanities (HU)* 3 courses, from at least two of the following areas of study: CMT (Communication), English, Linguistics. Philosophy, Women's and Gender Studies, World Languages and Cultures, (Note: No more than two foreign language courses may be used to fulfill this requirement.) | 9 |
Behavioral/Social Sciences (SB)* 3 courses, from at least two of the following areas of study: African & African American Studies, Anthropology, Computer Science, Economics, Geography & Environmental Studies, History, Justice Studies, Latino & Latin American Studies, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work | 9 |
Natural Sciences (NS and NSL)** 3 courses, from at least two of the following areas of study; one course must have a laboratory component (NSL): Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Environmental Science, Physics (Note: If an FYE ANTH that counts as Natural Science is taken, only one Biology course may be used for Natural Science). | 9 |
Engaged Learning Experiences | |
Students must complete, at Northeastern, three courses designated as Engaged Learning Experiences courses. One of the Engaged Learning Experiences courses must be at the 300-level, and one Engaged Learning Experiences course must be designated as "Boundary Crossing". | |
Discipline Specific (ELE-DS) These courses have pre-requisites that are specific courses within a program of study. Discipline Specific courses give students a deeper understanding of how knowledge is created and applied in their field. | |
Boundary Crossing (ELE-X) These are courses that cross disciplinary boundaries and/or cross boundaries through engagements outside the classroom or University allowing students to see how knowledge gained in one field might inform other fields or other aspects of society. | |
Math/Quantitative Reasoning (MA) 1 Math course, that has intermediate Algebra as prerequisite OR is a course listed on the General Education Distributive Learning List of Approved Courses. Any 3 hour college level math course, beyond Intermediate Algebra, meets this requirement. |
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Majors in Fine Arts, Humanities or Social/Behavioral Sciences, may waive up to 6 credit hours of General Education requirements in the corresponding distribution area.
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Majors in Natural Sciences may waive up to 9 credit hours of General Education requirements in the Natural Sciences distribution area.
Students should also be aware of all other university requirements to obtain a degree - NEIU requirements
Major in Physics for the Bachelors of Science Degree
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Required Courses | ||
PHYS-206L | University Physics I With Lab | 5 |
PHYS-207L | University Physics II With Lab | 5 |
PHYS-305 | Modern Physics I | 3 |
PHYS-306A | Modern Physics II | 3 |
PHYS-308 | Introductory Mathematical Physics | 3 |
PHYS-311 | Mechanics I | 3 |
PHYS-321 | Electricity And Magnetism I | 3 |
PHYS-335 | Thermal Physics | 3 |
PHYS-336 | Quantum Mechanics | 3 |
Electives (300-level, take at least three totaling 9 credit hours or more. At least one must be a WIP) | 9 | |
Writing Intensive Program: Modern Physics Lab | ||
Computing For Scientists | ||
Advanced Classical Physics | ||
Writing Intensive Program: Experimental Methods | ||
Optics | ||
Electronics | ||
Quantum Mechanics II | ||
The Science Of Sustainable Energy | ||
Introduction To Solid State Physics | ||
Materials I: Structural, Mechanical And Thermal Properties | ||
Materials II: Electric And Optical Properties | ||
Instrumentation Electronics | ||
Astrophysics | ||
Cosmology | ||
Total Hours | 40 |
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Required Mathematics Courses | ||
MATH-187 | Calculus I | 4 |
MATH-202 | Calculus II | 4 |
MATH-203 | Calculus III | 4 |
MATH-301 | Ordinary Differential Equations I | 4 |
Total Hours | 16 |
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Cognate Electives | ||
Select three of the following: 1 | 9-13 | |
General Chemistry I | ||
General Chemistry II | ||
Programming Fundamentals | ||
Object-Oriented Programming And Data Structures | ||
Open Source Systems | ||
General Biology I | ||
General Biology II | ||
Cell Biology | ||
History of Science | ||
Methods In Environmental Science | ||
Physical Geology | ||
Writing Intensive Program: Earth Materials | ||
Climate Change: Evidence, Causes, Effects | ||
Historical Geology | ||
Principles Of Hydrogeology | ||
Linear Algebra I | ||
Ordinary Differential Equations II | ||
Partial Differential Equations | ||
Introduction To Numerical Analysis | ||
Probability And Statistics | ||
Complex Variables | ||
Computing For Mathematicians | ||
Total Hours | 9-13 |
1 | These electives must be chosen from at least two different departments. |
This sample curricular map is provided to guide you in the planning of your progression for this major. This guide should not replace regular consultations with your program advisor. For specific recommendations of courses not identified, please consult your program advisor.
First Year | ||
---|---|---|
Term 1 | Hours | |
MATH-187 | Calculus I | 4 |
PHYS-206L | University Physics I With Lab | 5 |
General Education-Humanities | 3 | |
General Education-Fine Arts | 3 | |
Term Hours | 15 | |
Term 2 | ||
MATH-202 | Calculus II | 4 |
PHYS-207L | University Physics II With Lab | 5 |
CS-200 | Programming Fundamentals | 4 |
General Education-Social/Behavioral | 3 | |
Term Hours | 16 | |
Second Year | ||
Term 1 | ||
MATH-203 | Calculus III | 4 |
PHYS-305 | Modern Physics I | 3 |
MATH-253 | Linear Algebra I | 3 |
General Education-Fine Arts | 3 | |
Term Hours | 13 | |
Term 2 | ||
PHYS-306A | Modern Physics II | 3 |
PHYS-335 | Thermal Physics | 3 |
300-Level PHYS Elective | 3 | |
MATH-301 | Ordinary Differential Equations I | 4 |
General Education/Elective | 3 | |
Term Hours | 16 | |
Third Year | ||
Term 1 | ||
PHYS-311 | Mechanics I | 3 |
PHYS-321 | Electricity And Magnetism I | 3 |
General Education-Social/Behavioral | 3 | |
300-Level PHYS Elective | 3 | |
Elective | 3 | |
Term Hours | 15 | |
Term 2 | ||
PHYS-308 | Introductory Mathematical Physics | 3 |
PHYS-307 | Writing Intensive Program: Modern Physics Lab | 3 |
CHEM-211 | General Chemistry I | 5 |
General Education-Social/Behavioral | 3 | |
300-Level PHYS Elective | 3 | |
Term Hours | 17 | |
Fourth Year | ||
Term 1 | ||
PHYS-336 | Quantum Mechanics | 3 |
PHYS-330 | Writing Intensive Program: Experimental Methods | 3 |
300-Level PHYS Elective | 3 | |
General Education-Humanities | 3 | |
Elective | 3 | |
Term Hours | 15 | |
Term 2 | ||
300-Level PHYS Electives | 3 | |
PHYS-335if not completed in year 2 | Thermal Physics | 3 |
General Education-Humanities | 3 | |
General Education-Social/Behavioral | 3 | |
Elective | 3 | |
Term Hours | 15 | |
Total Hours: | 122 |