Nov 26, 2024

2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog

2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Physics (B.S.) With Concentration In Computational Physics

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Program: B.S.
Department of Physics
College of Arts and Sciences

Kettler Hall 126B ~ 260-481-6306

The concentration in Computational Physics is for students with an interest in computation and computational/mathematical modeling of physical systems.

Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this degree, students will:

have the skills to enter a career involving computers, data analysis, modeling, and to pursue graduate education in physics, engineering, or materials science.

Program Delivery:

This program is available on-campus

Declaring this Major:

Declare this major within the Department of Physics

General Requirements:

Program Requirements:

Physics Computational 4-Year Plan:

Students choosing this concentration must select either the computation specialization (CS) or the mathematics specialization (MATH).
Physics 15200 must be repeated if a grade of C- or below is received
A grade of C- or above in all supporting courses is required
A maximum of one grade below C- is allowed except for in supporting courses
A GPA of 2.00 or higher for all courses taken for the major

To earn the B.S. with a major in Physics and a concentration in Computational Physics, you must fulfill the following requirements in addition to the General Requirements noted above:

General Education Requirements: Credits 33

Click on the Purdue Fort Wayne General Education Requirements link above for details.
Some majors may require particular General Education courses as specified in their program description. Up to six credits of approved General Education courses satisfying requirements in Areas A and B, and three credits satisfying requirements in Area C, may originate in the major. A grade of C- or higher in each course, and an overall GPA of 2.0 is required to satisfy the Purdue Fort Wayne General Education Requirements.

College of Arts and Sciences Requirements

Click on the Purdue Fort Wayne College Requirements link above. Go to Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree

English Writing and Speaking: Credits 6

See Part A in Arts and Sciences Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree for Speaking requirement

ENGL 23301 - Intermediate Expository Writing Cr. 3.

International Language: Credits 6-8

See Part B in Arts and Sciences Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree

Core Physics Major Courses: Credits 22

PHYS 15200 - Mechanics Cr. 5.
PHYS 17000 - Special Topics in Physics Cr. 1-4.
- taken as First Year Seminar Cr. 2.
PHYS 25100 - Heat, Electricity, and Optics Cr. 5.
PHYS 34200 - Modern Physics Cr. 3.
PHYS 34300 - Modern Physics Laboratory Cr. 1.
PHYS 44200 - Quantum Mechanics Cr. 3.
PHYS 48001 - Senior Thesis I Cr. 3.
PHYS 48002 - Senior Thesis II Cr. 0.

Core Supporting Courses: Credits 16

CHM 11500 - General Chemistry Cr. 4.
MA 16500 - Analytic Geometry and Calculus I Cr. 4.
MA 16600 - Analytic Geometry and Calculus II Cr. 4.
MA 26100 - Multivariate Calculus Cr. 4.
or
MA 26300 - Multivariate and Vector Calculus Cr. 4.

Additional Physics Courses: Credits 22

PHYS 30500 - Intermediate Mathematics Physics Cr. 3.
PHYS 31000 - Intermediate Mechanics Cr. 4.
PHYS 31200 - Intermediate Electricity and Magnetism Cr. 3.
or
ECE 31100 - Electric And Magnetic Fields Cr. 3.
PHYS 32200 - Optics Cr. 3.
PHYS 32500 - Scientific Computing Cr. 3.
PHYS 41310 - Intermediate Electricity and Magnetism II Cr. 3.
PHYS 41800 - Thermal and Statistical Physics Cr. 3.

Additional Supporting Courses: Credits 9

MA 17500 - Introductory Discrete Mathematics Cr. 3.
MA 35100 - Elementary Linear Algebra Cr. 3.
MA 36300 - Differential Equations Cr. 3.

Concentration Specializations

Computation Specialization Core Courses: Credits 11

CS 16000 - Introduction To Computer Science I Cr. 4.
CS 16100 - Introduction To Computer Science II Cr. 4.
CS 26000 - Data Structures Cr. 3.

Additional CS Elective Courses: Credits 6-9

Choose two or three additional computer science (CS) courses at the 2000+, 3000+, or 4000+ level.

CS 32100 - Introduction To Computer Graphics Cr. 3.
CS 33100 - Introduction To C++ And Object-Oriented Programming Cr. 3.
CS 38400 - Numerical Analysis Cr. 3.
CS 48600 - Analysis Of Algorithms Cr. 3.

Mathematical Specialization Core Courses: Credits 19

CS 16000 - Introduction To Computer Science I Cr. 4.
MA 31400 - Introduction to Mathematical Modeling Cr. 3.
MA 41700 - Mathematical Programming Cr. 3.
MA 51000 - Vector Calculus Cr. 3.
MA 52300 - Introduction to Partial Differential Equations Cr. 3.
MA 52500 - Introduction to Complex Analysis Cr. 3.

General Electives

Sufficient additional credits to bring the total to 120

Total Credits: 120

Student Responsibility

You are responsible for satisfying the graduation requirements specified for your selected program. Thus, it is essential that you develop a thorough understanding of the required courses, academic policies and procedures governing your academic career. All requests for exceptions to specific requirements must be made in writing and may be granted only by written approval from the appropriate chair or dean.