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 (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:

Required Courses
121/122 (or 131/132)                                     PHYS 210 (required beginning Fall 2024)
PHYS 227                                                         PHYS 271 (required beginning Fall 2024)
PHYS 323                                                         PHYS 327
PHYS 331                                                         PHYS 332
PHYS 341                                                         PHYS 421
MATH 224/225                                               MATH 226/227
MATH 323                                                       MATH 324 (or MATH 371)
CHEM 111 (or 107/108 or 104/105/106)

Elective Courses
PHYS 422                                                        PHYS 472
PHYS 463                                                        GEOL 453
PHYS/GEOL 450                                             PHYS/GEOL 451 
ME 311                                                            ME 361
CHEM 444                                                       CHEM 481


Six of the nine required 300- and 400-level PHYS courses must be taken in residence at 91ÉçÇø. 

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:

PHYS 131/132 (or 121/122)                                      PHYS 210 (required beginning Fall 2024)
PHYS 323                                                                     PHYS 331
PHYS 332                                                                     PHYS 341
PHYS 411                                                                     PHYS 421
PHYS 422                                                                     MATH 224/225
MATH 226/227                                                           MATH 304       
MATH 323                                                                   MATH 330
MATH 371 (or 324)                                                    MATH 471
MATH 478


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 91ÉçÇø.


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.


Undergraduate Program Director

Wei-Cheng Lee
Office: SN 2013
Phone: (607) 777-3853
E-mail: wlee@binghamton.edu