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Physics

Overview

Official Name of Program

Physics

Plan Code

PHYSICS-BS

Department(s) Sponsoring Program

Career

Undergraduate

Degree Designation

BS - Bachelor of Science

HEGIS Code

1902.00

NYSED Program Code

02928 - PHYSICS-BS

CIP Code

40.0801

Physics is the study of the matter and interactions that shape the universe and determine the properties and behavior of the natural world.

The physics program prepares majors for graduate study in physics or astronomy, as well as engineering. In particular, the pre-engineering track within physics prepares students for transfer to advanced undergraduate standing in engineering at City College, CUNY. The problem-solving skills physics degree recipients acquire also qualifies them for a variety of careers in industry including finance. We aim to ensure that students develop the skills and background to master the underlying physical principles of their discipline.

The physics discipline dedicates itself to making accessible a rigorous, high quality science education to a culturally and ethnically diverse population with widely varying degrees of science proficiency and preparation. We proudly provide research experiences for undergraduate physics majors through programs sponsored by the DOE, DOD, NSF, NASA, and other Federal, State, and City agencies.

Students interested in majoring in physics or pre-engineering should take Univ. Physics I (Physics 117 and 113) and its corequisite Calculus I (Math 121) as early as possible in their studies. Please come to the Dept. of Earth and Physical Sciences in Room 2F09 for proper advisement.

Requirements

Completion requirement
Fulfill ALL of the following requirements:
Earn at least 120 credits
AND
Earn at least 40 credits

In Residence at York College

AND
Earn at least 60 credits

Liberal Arts and Sciences Content Courses

AND
Earn a minimum GPA of 2.0
Completion requirement
Fulfill ALL of the following requirements:
Earn at least 6 credits from the following:
AND
Complete ALL of the following Courses:
  • 1074701

Choose one from the list above under advisement according to the major program of study.

AND
Earn at least 3 credits from the following:

Choose one from the list above under advisement according to the major program of study.

AND
Earn at least 3 credits from the following:
AND
Earn at least 3 credits from the following:
AND
Earn at least 3 credits from the following:
AND
Earn at least 3 credits from the following:
AND
Complete ALL of the following Courses:
  • 1252821
  • 1252831

To meet the requirements of the Flexible Core, students must take a total of six courses among the selections . Students must take at least one course from each of the five domains and no more than two courses in any discipline or interdisciplinary field.

Completion requirement
Fulfill ALL of the following requirements:
Earn at least 3 credits from the following:
AND
Earn at least 3 credits from the following:
AND
Earn at least 3 credits from the following:
  • 1070601
AND
Complete at least 1 of the following:
Earn at least 3 credits from the following:
OR
Earn at least 3 credits from the following:
  • 1085291
  • 1085301
  • 1085311
  • 1267871

For transfer students, York College will decide whether any courses taken at the original college fulfill the College Option requirements.

CUNY Associate to CUNY Bachelor's or Non-CUNY Associate to CUNY Bachelor's  Students who transfer from a CUNY associate to a CUNY bachelor's degree program:

  • Earned Associate Degree: 6 College Option credits required

  • Earned More than 30 Credits: 9 College Option credits required

  • Earned 30 or Fewer Credits: 12 College Option credits required

CUNY Bachelor's Students pursuing a bachelor's degree at one CUNY college (without transferring):

  • 12 College Option credits required
    (specified by their college).

CUNY Bachelor's to CUNY Bachelor's Students who transfer between CUNY bachelor's degree programs

  • 12 College Option credits are required; HOWEVER, students can transfer the College Option credits they earn in a bachelor's degree program at one CUNY college toward their College Option requirement at any other CUNY college.

Second Bachelor's Degree Students Students with earned bachelor's degrees from institutions that are accredited and recognized by a regional accrediting U.S. agency, as well as students from international universities with degrees that are equivalent to a baccalaureate degree as determined by CUNY

  • No College Option credits required; these students are deemed to have automatically fulfilled the College Option.

Completion requirement
Earn at least 9 credits from the following:

Students must complete three WI courses, at least one of which must be in the upper division of the curriculum (at the 300 level or above) within the major. Transfer students with a prior A.A., A.S., or Bachelor's degree must only complete one WI course, which must be in the upper division (at the 300 level or above) within the major). Every student, including transfer students, is required to complete one upper division WI course within each declared major. If the major has no upper division WI course, the student must complete a WI course (outside of their major) chosen in consultation with their major advisor. The department chair will need to notify Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) of this advised course that will satisfy the upper WI requirement. Writing Across the Curriculum, as part of its charge from the York College Senate, will make case-by-case determinations of the requirement only for students who present special circumstances that make it impossible for them to meet these guidelines.

Completion requirement
Earn at least 57 credits

B.S. with Honors in Physics

Eligibility: A 300-level Physics course and a 3.0 average in all Physics courses. Approval by the Faculty of the Physics Discipline.

Requirements for Graduation with Honors:

  1. Successful completion of the Physics Major Discipline requirements and a 3.0 average in all Physics courses.

  2. Successful completion of 6 credits of 400-level courses in the Physics Discipline consisting of independent research under the supervision of a faculty member and successful presentation of a thesis to the faculty members of the Physics Discipline.

  3. Certification by the Faculty of the Physics Discipline.

Completion requirement
Complete ALL of the following Courses:
  • 1252851
  • 1252861
  • 1074711
  • 1074871
  • 1074891
  • 1075151
  • 1252451
  • 1252461
  • 1252631
  • 1252641
  • 1300071
  • 1079891
  • 1307191
  • 1079931
  • 1079961
  • 1079981
  • 1080021
Completion requirement
Complete at least 2 courses in the following Course Sets:
106
2023 Fall Term -
6
Requirements
  • - -  -
  • RLA_RC_Mathtcl&QuantveReasng (Requirement Designations)
    OR
    - -  -

    Course Requirement Group (Free Text): Mathematical & Quantitative Reasoning

  • RLA_RC_Life&PhysicalSci (Requirement Designations)
    OR
    - -  -

    Course Requirement Group (Free Text): Gateway to the Major

  • RLA_RC_Life&PhysicalSci (Requirement Designations)
    OR
    - -  -

    Course Requirement Group (Free Text): Gateway to the Major

  • undefined (Course Set)(3 cr)
106
2023 Fall Term -
10
Requirements
  • - -  -
  • - -  -
  • RLA_FC_ScientificWorld (Requirement Designations)
    OR
    - -  -

    Course Requirement Group (Free Text): Life & Physical Science

  • RLA_FC_ScientificWorld (Requirement Designations)
    OR
    - -  -

    Course Requirement Group (Free Text): Life & Physical Science

  • undefined (Course Set)(3 cr)
106
2023 Fall Term -
15
Requirements
  • undefined (Course Set)(3 cr)

    Course Requirement Group (Free Text): College Option; Foreign Language I Requirement (See World Language Department for Placement)

  • - -  -

    Course Requirement Group (Free Text): Scientific World

  • - -  -

    Course Requirement Group (Free Text): Scientific World

  • - -  -
  • - -  -
106
2023 Fall Term -
15
Requirements
  • undefined (Course Set)(3 cr)

    Course Requirement Group (Free Text): College Option; Foreign Language II Requirement (See World Language Department for Placement)

  • undefined (Course Set)(3 cr)
  • - -  -
  • - -  -
  • - -  -
  • - -  -

    Course Requirement Group (Free Text): Free Elective

106
2023 Fall Term -
15
Requirements
  • undefined (Course Set)(3 cr)
  • - -  -
  • - -  -
  • - -  -
  • - -  -

    Course Requirement Group (Free Text): Free Elective

106
2023 Fall Term -
15
Requirements
  • - -  -

    Course Requirement Group (Free Text): College Option; Writing Intensive

  • - -  -

    Course Requirement Group (Free Text): College Option

  • - -  -
  • - -  -

    Course Requirement Group (Free Text): Minor Course or Free Elective

  • - -  -

    Course Requirement Group (Free Text): Free Elective

106
2023 Fall Term -
15
Requirements
  • - -  -

    Course Requirement Group (Free Text): Writing Intensive

  • - -  -
  • - -  -
  • - -  -

    Course Requirement Group (Free Text): Physics/Astronomy Elective; 400+ level

  • - -  -

    Course Requirement Group (Free Text): Free Elective

106
2023 Fall Term -
15
Requirements
  • - -  -

    Course Requirement Group (Free Text): Writing Intensive

  • - -  -

    Course Requirement Group (Free Text): Physics/Astronomy Elective; 400+ level

  • - -  -

    Course Requirement Group (Free Text): Minor Course or Free Elective

  • - -  -

    Course Requirement Group (Free Text): Minor Course or Free Elective

  • - -  -

    Course Requirement Group (Free Text): Free Elective

45
2023 Fall Term -
3
Requirements
  • - -  -
  • - -  -
  • - -  -
  • - -  -
  • undefined (Course Set)(3 cr)
45
2023 Fall Term -
3
Requirements
  • - -  -
  • - -  -
  • - -  -
  • - -  -
  • undefined (Course Set)(3 cr)
45
2023 Fall Term -
3
Requirements
  • undefined (Course Set)(3 cr)

    Course Requirement Group (Free Text): Foreign language courses are determined through placement by the Foreign Language Department, AC-3C08.

  • - -  -
  • - -  -
  • - -  -
  • - -  -
45
2023 Fall Term -
6
Requirements
  • undefined (Course Set)(3 cr)

    Course Requirement Group (Free Text): Foreign language courses are determined through placement by the Foreign Language Department, AC-3C08.

  • undefined (Course Set)(3 cr)
  • - -  -
  • - -  -
  • - -  -
45
2023 Fall Term -
3
Requirements
  • undefined (Course Set)(3 cr)
  • - -  -
  • - -  -
  • - -  -
45
2023 Fall Term -
3
Requirements
  • - -  -
  • - -  -
  • - -  -
  • Minor Course or Free Elective
    (3 cr)
45
2023 Fall Term -
12
Requirements
  • undefined (Course Set)(3 cr)
  • - -  -
  • - -  -
45
2023 Fall Term -
12
Requirements
  • undefined (Course Set)(3 cr)
  • 400-Level or Higher Physics or Astronomy Elective
    (3 cr)
  • Minor Course or Free Elective
    (3 cr)
  • Minor Course or Free Elective
    (3 cr)