BS Degree Requirements

Physics BS Degrees

The department offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics for students who want recognition of increased concentration in Physics. The BS degree in physics requires the same physics courses and math courses as with the BA degree, plus an additional three full courses in Physics and one in Chemistry:

PHYS 121/122 (or 131/132	PHYS 210*
PHYS 227	PHYS 271*
PHYS 323	PHYS 327
PHYS 331	PHYS 332
PHYS 341	PHYS 321
MATH 224/225	MATH 226/227
MATH 323	MATH 324 or MATH 371
PHYS 411	PHYS 422
PHYS 429	CHEM 111 (or 107/108 or 104/105/106)

*PHYS 210 and PHYS 271 are required beginning Fall 2024

The Department Manual (for your incoming year) may be helpful.

For more detailed information about a BA in Physics, please consult the University Bulletin (arrival prior to Fall 2024) or the Academic Guide (arrival in Fall 2024 or later) or contact the Undergraduate Director.

BS Degree – Applied Physics

For the student planning a career in applied physics, engineering physics, engineering, geophysics, materials science or other areas of engineering, the department offers the Bachelor of Science degree in Physics with an emphasis in Applied Physics. 

The program of study for this degree represents a modification of the traditional BS in physics. The requirements to earn the BS – Applied Physics degree are similar to the BS degree plus an additional 12 credits taken from the following list of required elective courses:

Six of the nine required 300- and 400-level PHYS courses must be taken in residence at Binghamton University. 

BS Degree –Mathematical Physics

For students interested in pursuing graduate education or careers in mathematical physics, or other theoretically oriented fields of physical science, the department offers an emphasis in mathematical physics. Students interested in this degree should contact the Undergraduate Director in the Physics Department as soon as possible.

The 18 courses required for this degree are:

One additional PHYS course at the 400 level. One of these courses may be substituted by a MATH course numbered 375 or above, with the approval of the Physics Department undergraduate director.

Students are encouraged to take laboratory courses in physics, as these courses may broaden their opportunities in graduate schools. Six of the nine 300- and 400-level PHYS courses required for the completion of the degree must be taken in residence at Binghamton University.

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BA/BS Starting in Sophomore Year

Prior to the junior year, the student must have taken PHYS 121/122 (or 131/132), MATH 323 and, if possible, MATH 324 or MATH 371 (or 324). Candidates for the BS degree should have also completed CHEM 111 (or CHEM 107/108, or CHEM 104/105/106).

The programs for the junior and senior years are identical to those prescribed in the next section for transfer students from two-year colleges.

BA/BS After the Two Year Degree

The Department has secured its curriculum so that the graduate of a two-year college may complete a BA or BS degree program in two additional years. It is assumed that such students have completed the equivalent of two semesters of general physics and three semesters of calculus by the time of enrollment. If they have not, an additional semester or two may be necessary. A general physics course with a weekly three-hour laboratory normally satisfies the equivalent of PHYS 121, PHYS 122 and PHYS 227; although the student must still complete the total required number of physics courses for the degree. If the student is working for the BS degree, it is also important that as many general education requirements as possible be fulfilled at the two-year school.

Please contact the Undergraduate Director for more information.

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Undergraduate Program Director

Masatsugu Suzuki
Office: SN 2048
Phone: (607) 777-4320
E-mail: suzuki@binghamton.edu