Concentration in Physics
Chair: Laurence Henry
Program Leader: Laurence Henry
Professors: Rambabu Bobba, Laurence Henry, Pui-Man Lam, Terrence Reese, J. Gregory Stacy, Guanglin Zhao
Professor Emeriti: Diola Bagayoko, Ali Fazely, Stephen McGuire
Assistant Professor: Feng Gao, Anthony Stewart
Lab Manager: Yuriy Malozovsky
Administrative Assistant: Sheryl Robinson
The Department of Mathematics and Physics provides students with a thorough background in general physics for science or technology majors and provides training in the elements of physics for secondary school science teachers. Mathematics and Physics majors, with a concentration in physics, are provided with a firm, effective foundation for graduate study, a successful career in high technology industries, and for a research career.
The versatility of physics, a foundation to many science, technological, engineering and interdisciplinary fields opens numerous options to a holder of the bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Physics, with a Physics concentration. These majors can tailor their curriculum to prepare for a career or advanced studies and research in physics, quantum chemistry, most engineering fields (electrical, mechanical, or materials engineering), medicine (including biophysics), and patent law. Materials science, telecommunications, and many interdisciplinary sciences and technologies rest on physics. Students should consult their program advisors for the selection and proper sequencing of courses.
The program also offers the Master of Science degree in Mathematics and Physics, with a concentration in Physics. Further, it provides graduate courses in Physics for students enrolled in the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) program in Science and Mathematics Education in the event where they do not hold a Master of Science degree in Mathematics and Physics, with a Physics concentration, or equivalent.
Physics Program Educational Objectives (PEO)
The physics curriculum at Southern University is dedicated to preparing students for productive careers in the state, nation, and the world. Graduates of the physics program will:
| PEO-1: |
Understand fundamental concepts and principles of physics, and be able to transfer that knowledge to applications in the discipline and related areas, including engineering and technology. |
| PEO-2: |
Be prepared to do graduate studies in physics or related areas, including the physical sciences and physics education. |
| PEO-3: |
Be prepared to interact with scholars in the field, to become effective researchers, collaborators and innovators, leading or participating in efforts to address scientific, social, technical and business challenges in a professional and ethical manner. |
Core Mathematics and Science Course Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics and Physics
All students pursuing the Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and Physics must satisfactorily complete the following core courses.
Required Courses
All students pursuing the Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and Physics must earn a minimum grade of “C” in all required and elective mathematics and physics courses presented to fulfill the major requirements in the curriculum. Further, students in the Physics concentration must take at least one Mathematics course (3 credit hours) as a free elective. Students must also meet all requirements for the college and the University.
Degree Requirements
All Mathematics and Physics majors, with a concentration in Physics, must successfully complete an approved program of study of 120 credit hours.
Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Physics – Concentration Physics
Freshman Year
First Semester
Second Semester
Sophomore Year
First Semester
| MATH-364B | Anal Geometry & Calculus III | 4 |
| PHYS-200B | Applied Prog In Physics | 3 |
| SCHE-133B | General Chemistry | 3 |
| SCHE-133LB | General Chemistry Laboratory | 1 |
| HIST- | History Elective | 3 |
| ENGL- | Literature Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 17 |
Second Semester
| PHYS-271B | Modern Physics | 3 |
| PHYS-311B | Mathematical Physics | 3 |
| SBIO-101B | General Biology | 3 |
| SBIO-101LB | General Biology Laboratory | 1 |
| HIST- | History Elective | 3 |
| - | Humanities Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Junior Year
First Semester
| PHYS-341B | Experimental Physics I | 3 |
| PHYS-411B | Advanced Math Physics | 3 |
| PHYS-416B | Advanced Mechanics I | 3 |
| MATH-276B | Stat for Math Science or Engr | 3 |
| - | Foreign Language Sequence I | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Second Semester
| PHYS-342B | Experimental Physics II | 3 |
| PHYS-345B | Thermodynamics Stat Mech | 3 |
| PHYS-425B | Adv Electromagnetic Theory I | 3 |
| ENGL-362B | Technical Writing | 3 |
| - | Foreign Language Sequence II | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Senior Year
First Semester
| PHYS-400B | Computational Physics | 3 |
| PHYS-435B | Quantum Physics I | 3 |
| - | Free Elective | 3 |
| - | Social Science Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 12 |
Free Elective: At least one free elective will be a three (3) credit Mathematics course. All others may be selected from physics electives or in consultation with a physics faculty advisor.
Second Semester
| - | Physics Elective | 3 |
| - | Free Elective | 3 |
| - | Arts Elective | 3 |
| - | Social Science Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 12 |
Free Elective: At least one free elective will be a three (3) credit Mathematics course. All others may be selected from physics electives or in consultation with a physics faculty advisor.
Physics Elective: Select from the physics electives.
Physics Electives
Requirements for a minor in Mathematics and Physics, with a Physics concentration
The minor in Mathematics and Physics, with a Physics concentration, requires at least 22 hours of physics and must include SPHY-213B, 213LB, 215B, 214LB, PHYS-271B, 341B, 342B, and 345B, as well as SMAT-211B and 212B. All students pursuing a minor in Mathematics and Physics must earn a minimum grade of “C” in all required and elective physics and mathematics courses presented to fulfill the minor requirements. Students must also meet all requirements for the college and the University.