Nov 24, 2024

2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

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

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Program: B.S.
Department of Physics
College of Science

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:

PFW General Education Requirements
PFW Civics Literacy Requirement
PFW College of Science Information
PFW Academic Regulations

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

Program Requirements:

Physics Computational 4-Year Plan:

Students choosing this concentration must select either the computation specialization (CS) or the mathematics specialization (MATH).
PHYS 15200 must be repeated if a grade of C- or below is received
A GPA of 2.00 or higher for all courses taken for the major
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
New PHYS courses approved and added to the curriculum in future Catalogs may satisfy major requirements
Transfer students with 30+ credits are not required to take the Freshman Success seminar if they haven’t previously taken such a course

General Education Requirements: Credits 33

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.

English Writing and Speaking: Credits 6

ENGL 23301 (or a college-approved equivalent: ENGL 20201, HIST 21700, ILCS 30000, POL 20700, or WOST 23000). This course is in addition to the General Education writing course (ENGL 13100 or equivalent).
COM 11400 (or the college-approved equivalent: HIST 12500).

Both courses require a grade of C- or better

Language: Credits 6

Two courses at the first-year level in a single International Language or in American Sign Language (or demonstrate equivalent proficiency).

Note: if you begin these courses at PFW at the second-semester level or higher, you and your advisor are eligible to apply for special course credits after successful completion of the course into which you placed. Non-native English speaking students and those with other language transfer credits should contact the College’s Student Success Center.

Physics Major Core 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.

Supporting Core 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.

Additional Physics Courses: Credits 22-23

A combination of the following courses totaling 22-23 credits:

ASTR 37000 - Cosmology Cr. 3.
PHYS 20501 - Intro To Python For Computational Computing Cr. 1.
PHYS 30500 - Intermediate Mathematical 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 - Intermediate 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 13

CS 16000 - Introduction To Computer Science I Cr. 4.
MA 17500 - Introduction To Discrete Mathematics Cr. 3.
MA 35100 - Elementary Linear Algebra Cr. 3.
MA 36300 - Differential Equations Cr. 3.

Concentration Specializations

Computation Specialization Core Courses: Credits 13

CS 16100 - Introduction To Computer Science II Cr. 4.
CS 26000 - Data Structures Cr. 3.
Choose two (2) additional CS courses at the 2000+, 3000+, or 4000+ level

Mathematical Specialization Core Courses: Credits 15

MA 31400 - Introduction To Mathematical Modeling Cr. 3.
MA 52300 - Introduction To Partial Differential Equations Cr. 3.
MA 52500 - Introduction To Complex Analysis Cr. 3.
Choose an additional MA course at the 3000+, 4000+ or 5000+ level

General Electives

Sufficient additional credits to bring the total to 120

Total Credits: 120

Student Responsibility

You are responsible for ensuring that you satisfy all graduation requirements specified for each selected program. Thus, it is essential that you develop a thorough understanding of the required courses, academic policies, and procedures governing your academic career. If you cannot complete all program requirements by your stated graduation date but fail to remove those from your plan of study, the Registrar’s Office in consultation with your academic advisor will remove unmet pursuits from your plan of study. Changing curricular records during the graduation term of application may affect state or federal financial aid awards. 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.

Additional Course Use:

PHYS 17000 taken as First Year Seminar required; BIOL 12000, CHM 19400, MA 10500 accepted