Physics B.A.
The Bachelor of Arts in Physics is designed for students who seek a broad background in physics. Students can choose between three concentrations.
General Concentration
The General concentration provides a broad background in physics along with a few courses that examine areas of interest to the student. Typically, this concentration is chosen in coordination with a major in a related field.
Contact person: John Elwood
Secondary Education Concentration
The Secondary Education concentration mirrors the general concentration but also includes seven additional courses in education. A graduate of this program will be eligible for Pennsylvania teacher certification in physics for grades 7-12 (dependent on grade point average and qualifying score on teacher examination).
Contact person: Robert Cohen
Engineering Transfer Concentration
The Engineering Transfer concentration includes coursework specifically geared to students wishing to pursue an engineering degree. Students in this program typically transfer after three years to a school with an engineering program. Upon completion of an ABET-certified engineering degree (engineering technology degrees are excluded), the student may also be eligible for the ESU degree (contingent upon certain requirements). In addition, under our agreement with Penn State University, students in certain programs who meet additional requirements are guaranteed acceptance.
Contact person: Mark Stewart
Program Features
27 Semester hours
Required major core courses (for all concentrations):
nine additional credits in Physics 300-level or above.
General concentration:
No additional courses.
Secondary Education concentration:
No additional courses. Recommended:
| PHYS 405 | The Development of Modern Physical Science | 3 credits |
Engineering Transfer concentration:
Recommended:
Co-requisite courses (for all concentrations):
General concentration:
| BIOL 114 | GE: Introductory Biology I | 0 - 4 credits |
| CHEM 124 | GE: General Chemistry II | 3 credits |
| CHEM 126 | GE: General Chemistry II Lab | 1 credits |
also one CPSC course or its equivalent chosen with the consent of the adviser.
Secondary Education concentration:
| BIOL 114 | GE: Introductory Biology I | 0 - 4 credits |
| CHEM 124 | GE: General Chemistry II | 3 credits |
| CHEM 126 | GE: General Chemistry II Lab | 1 credits |
| | one CPSC course or its equivalent chosen with the consent of the adviser | |
| PSED 150 | Introduction to Teaching All Students | 6 credits |
| PSED 250 | The Psychology of Learners In Diverse Communities | 3 credits |
| PSED 420 | Seminar in Secondary Education I: Instructional Structures and Strategies | 3 credits |
| PSED 421 | Seminar in Secondary Education II: Teaching Secondary Students In Diverse, Inclusive Classroom | 3 credits |
| PSED 430 | Stdt Tch: Mid Sch/Jr Hi | 6 credits |
| PSED 431 | Studnt Tch-Senior High | 6 credits |
| PSED 446 | Teaching of Science in the Secondary Schools | 3 credits |
| REED 350 | Teaching Reading to Communities of Diverse Learners | 3 credits |
| SPED 350 | Assessment of Student Learning and Behavior in Diverse Communities | 3 credits |
| PHYS 499 | Student Teaching Internship | 1 credits |
Engineering Transfer concentration:
Recommended:
| MATH 320 | Linear Algebra | 3 credits |
| CPSC 131 | Introduction to Computer Programming II | 3 credits |
Additional requirements:
A minimum of a “C” must be obtained in all required courses.
General concentration:
A minimum of nine credits 300-level or above must be taken at ESU.
Secondary Education concentration:
A minimum of nine credits 300-level or above must be taken at ESU.
Engineering Transfer concentration:
A minimum of nine credits 200-level or above must be taken at ESU. PHYS 495 must be taken at ESU. Upon completion of an ABET-certified engineering degree (engineering technology degrees are excluded), a maximum of 15 credits of 300-level or above engineering courses may be transferred back to ESU and substituted for courses on this list. Requirements for the active ESU-Penn State Main agreement supersede these requirements.
Program Curriculum Plan (General)
(Subject to change by the university without notice)
Freshman Year
Fall
| ENGL 103 | English Composition | 3 credits |
| MATH 140 | GE: Calculus I | 4 credits |
| CHEM 121 | GE: General Chemistry I | 3 credits |
| CHEM 123 | GE: General Chemistry I Lab | 1 credits |
| | General Education (Group A) | 3 credits |
| Total Credit Hours: | 14 |
Spring
| PHYS 161 | GE: Physics I | 0 - 4 credits |
| CHEM 124 | GE: General Chemistry II | 3 credits |
| CHEM 126 | GE: General Chemistry II Lab | 1 credits |
| MATH 141 | GE: Calculus II | 4 credits |
| | General Education (Group C) | 3 credits |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Sophomore Year
Fall
| PHYS 162 | GE: Physics II | 0 - 4 credits |
| | General Education (Group C) | 3 credits |
| | FIT Elective | 1 credit |
| MATH 240 | Multivariate Calculus | 4 credits |
| | General Education (Group A) | 3 credits |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Spring
| PHYS 261 | Physics III | 3 credits |
| | CPSC Elective | 3 credits |
| | Elective | 3 credits |
| | General Education (Group C) | 3 credits |
| | General Education (Group A) | 3 credits |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Junior Year
Fall
| PHYS 361 | Physics IV | 3 credits |
| PHYS 333 | Advanced Physics Lab I | 3 credits |
| BIOL 114 | GE: Introductory Biology I | 0 - 4 credits |
| | General Education (Group C) | 3 credits |
| | General Education (Group A) | 3 credits |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Spring
| | Physics Elective | 3 credits |
| | Elective | 3 credits |
| | Elective | 3 credits |
| | General Education (Group C) | 3 credits |
| | General Education (Group A) | 3 credits |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Senior Year
Fall
| | Physics Elective | 3 credits |
| | FIT Elective | 1 credit |
| | Elective | 3 credits |
| | Elective | 3 credits |
| | Elective | 4 credits |
| Total Credit Hours: | 14 |
Spring
| | Physics Elective | 3 credits |
| | Elective | 3 credits |
| PHYS 495 | Seminar | 1 credits |
| | Elective | 3 credits |
| | Elective | 3 credits |
| | Elective | 3 credits |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Total Credit Hours: 120
For more information, contact Program Coordinator John Elwood at 570-422-3408 or email jelwood@esu.edu.
Program Curriculum Plan (Secondary Education)
(Subject to change by the university without notice)
Freshman Year
Fall
| | Computer Science Elective | 3 credits |
| | General Education Elective - Group C | 3 credits |
| MATH 140 | GE: Calculus I | 4 credits |
| | General Education Elective - Group A | 3 credits |
| ENGL 103 | English Composition | 3 credits |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Group C General Education Elective: GEOG 120 (Physical Geography) or GEOG 121 (Physical Geology) are recommended.
MATH 140: If MATH 135 (Pre-Calculus) is needed, it should be taken the first semester, with MATH 140 (Calculus I), MATH 141 (Calculus II), and MATH 240 (Multivariate Calculus) taken in the following semesters, replacing the General Education course in the spring semester, sophomore year. An extra General Education course would then be needed, usually scheduled during the summer.
Group A General Education Elective: CMST 111 (Speech Communication) is recommended.
Spring
| PHYS 161 | GE: Physics I | 0 - 4 credits |
| MATH 141 | GE: Calculus II | 4 credits |
| | General Education Elective - Group C | 3 credits |
| PSED 150 | Introduction to Teaching All Students | 6 credits |
| Total Credit Hours: | 17 |
Sophomore Year
Fall
| PHYS 162 | GE: Physics II | 0 - 4 credits |
| MATH 240 | Multivariate Calculus | 4 credits |
| PSED 250 | The Psychology of Learners In Diverse Communities | 3 credits |
| | General Education Elective - Group A (2nd English) | 3 credits |
| | Fitness Elective | 1 credit |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Spring
| PHYS 261 | Physics III | 3 credits |
| | General Education Elective - Group C | 3 credits |
| REED 350 | Teaching Reading to Communities of Diverse Learners | 3 credits |
| | General Education Elective - Group A | 3 credits |
| | General Education Elective - Group C | 3 credits |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Group C General Education Elective: If MATH 135 (Pre-Calculus) is needed, it should be taken the first semester, with MATH 140 (Calculus I), MATH 141 (Calculus II), and MATH 240 (Multivariate Calculus) taken in the following semesters, replacing the General Education course in the spring semester, sophomore year. An extra General Education course would then be needed, usually scheduled during the summer.
Junior Year
Fall
| SPED 350 | Assessment of Student Learning and Behavior in Diverse Communities | 3 credits |
| PHYS 333 | Advanced Physics Lab I | 3 credits |
| PHYS 361 | Physics IV | 3 credits |
| | General Education Elective - Group C | 3 credits |
| CHEM 121 | GE: General Chemistry I | 3 credits |
| CHEM 123 | GE: General Chemistry I Lab | 1 credits |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Spring
| PSED 420 | Seminar in Secondary Education I: Instructional Structures and Strategies | 3 credits |
| | Physics Elective | 3 credits |
| CHEM 124 | GE: General Chemistry II | 3 credits |
| CHEM 126 | GE: General Chemistry II Lab | 1 credits |
| | General Education Elective - Group A | 3 credits |
| PHYS 495 | Seminar | 1 credits |
| | Physics Elective | 3 credits |
| Total Credit Hours: | 17 |
Senior Year
Fall
| PSED 421 | Seminar in Secondary Education II: Teaching Secondary Students In Diverse, Inclusive Classroom | 3 credits |
| PSED 446 | Teaching of Science in the Secondary Schools | 3 credits |
| BIOL 114 | GE: Introductory Biology I | 0 - 4 credits |
| | Physics Elective | 3 credits |
| | General Education Elective - Group A | 3 credits |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Spring
| PSED 430 | Stdt Tch: Mid Sch/Jr Hi | 6 credits |
| PSED 431 | Studnt Tch-Senior High | 6 credits |
| PHYS 499 | Student Teaching Internship | 1 credits |
| Total Credit Hours: | 13 |
Total Credit Hours: 125
For more information, contact Program Coordinator Robert Cohen at 570-422-3428 or email rcohen@esu.edu.
Program Curriculum Plan (Engineering Transfer)
(Subject to change by the university without notice)
Freshman Year
Fall
| PHYS 111 | Engineering Graphics | 2 credits |
| MATH 140 | GE: Calculus I | 4 credits |
| CHEM 121 | GE: General Chemistry I | 3 credits |
| CHEM 123 | GE: General Chemistry I Lab | 1 credits |
| ENGL 103 | English Composition | 3 credits |
| ECON 111 | GE: Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 credits |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Spring
| PHYS 161 | GE: Physics I | 0 - 4 credits |
| MATH 141 | GE: Calculus II | 4 credits |
| CHEM 124 | GE: General Chemistry II | 3 credits |
| CHEM 126 | GE: General Chemistry II Lab | 1 credits |
| | General Education Elective - Group C | 3 credits |
| | General Education Elective - Group A | 3 credits |
| Total Credit Hours: | 18 |
CHEM 124, CHEM 126: Whether or not these courses are required depends on your engineering discipline and the school that you transfer to.
Sophomore Year
Fall
| PHYS 162 | GE: Physics II | 0 - 4 credits |
| MATH 240 | Multivariate Calculus | 4 credits |
| MATH 220 | Discrete Mathematical Structures | 3 credits |
| | General Education Elective - Group A | 3 credits |
| GEOG 121 | GE: Physical Geology | 3 credits |
| Total Credit Hours: | 17 |
MATH 220: This course is a prerequisite for MATH 320.
GEOG 121 (Group C): Whether or not this course is required depends on your engineering discipline and the school that you transfer to.
Spring
| PHYS 261 | Physics III | 3 credits |
| MATH 320 | Linear Algebra | 3 credits |
| CPSC 111 | GE: Introduction to Computer Programming and Problem Solving | 4 credits |
| ENGL 204 | Technical Writing | 3 credits |
| | General Education Elective - Group A | 3 credits |
| | Fitness Elective | 1 credit |
| Total Credit Hours: | 17 |
Junior Year
Fall
| PHYS 201 | Statics | 3 credits |
| PHYS 361 | Physics IV | 3 credits |
| MATH 341 | Differential Equations | 3 credits |
| | General Education Elective - Group A | 3 credits |
| | General Education Elective - Group C | 3 credits |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Spring
| PHYS 202 | Dynamics | 3 credits |
| MATH 311 | Statistics I | 3 credits |
| | Concentration-based elective | 3 credits |
| | General Education Elective - Group A | 3 credits |
| | General Education Elective - Group C | 3 credits |
| | Fitness Elective | 1 credit |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
PHYS 202, MATH 311: Whether or not this course is required depends on your engineering discipline and the school that you transfer to.
PHYS 202: PHYS 111, PHYS 201, PHYS 202 are offered every other year. PHYS 111 should be taken in the first or second year. PHYS 201 and PHYS 202 should be taken in the second or third year.
Concentration based elective: This course would be chosen based upon your engineering discipline.
NOTE: Some elective slots must be used to fill individual engineering concentration requirements.
Total Credit Hours: 99
For more information, contact Program Coordinator Mark Stewart at 570-422-3350 or email mstewart@esu.edu.