At which campus can I study this program?
Program Description
The Department of Physics offers a minor for students who wish to expand upon their study in this fundamental discipline, beyond the introductory courses (PHYS 211, PHYS 212, PHYS 213, PHYS 214). In addition to an additional course in modern physics (PHYS 237, which includes introductions to relativity and quantum theory, as well as applications), students take two 400-level PHYS courses for a total of 6-8 credits.The Physics minor is useful for students in many STEM disciplines who wish to extend their studies in this fundamental field, as a background for graduate study or work in a variety of technical fields.
What is Physics?
Physicists study natural phenomena in the universe, from the smallest length scales to the largest in the cosmos, to discover the basic principles or laws which govern the physical world. Knowledge of physics is crucial to truly understanding the world around us, the world inside us, and the world beyond us. The Physics minor will extend your studies at the fundamental level, as a background for graduate study or for future work in a variety of technical fields.
You Might Like This Program If...
You are interested in supplementing your education with a strong foundation in the physical principles behind applications.
Program Requirements
| Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| Requirements for the Minor | 29-31 |
Requirements for the Minor
A grade of C or better is required for all courses in the minor, as specified by Senate Policy 59-10. In addition, at least six credits of the minor must be unique from the prescribed courses required by a student's major(s).
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Prescribed Courses | ||
| Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| MATH 140 | Calculus With Analytic Geometry I  | 4 |
| MATH 141 | Calculus with Analytic Geometry II | 4 |
| PHYS 211 | General Physics: Mechanics | 4 |
| PHYS 212 | General Physics: Electricity and Magnetism | 4 |
| PHYS 213 | General Physics: Fluids and Thermal Physics | 2 |
| PHYS 214 | General Physics: Wave Motion and Quantum Physics | 2 |
| PHYS 237 | Introduction to Modern Physics | 3 |
| Supporting Courses and Related Areas | ||
| Supporting Courses and Related Areas: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| Select two 400-level PHYS courses 1 | 6-8 | |
Academic Advising
The objectives of the university's academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.
Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee's unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.
READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY
University Park
Michael T. Smitka
Associate Teaching Professor of Physics, Director of Undergraduate Physics Advising
Department of Physics
104 Davey Lab
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-2658
mts56@psu.edu
Berks
Leonard Gamberg
Professor of Physics
Luerssen, 223
Reading, PA 19610
610-396-6124
BKPhysics@psu.edu
Erie
Blair Tuttle, Ph.D.
Professor of Physics
116 Witkowski
Erie, PA 16563
814-898-6311
brt10@psu.edu
Contact
University Park
DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS
104 Davey Lab
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-7533
ewh10@psu.edu
https://www.phys.psu.edu/undergraduate
Berks
SCIENCE DIVISION
Luerssen Building
Reading, PA 19610
610-396-6124
BKPhysics@psu.edu
Erie
SCHOOL OF SCIENCE
1 Prischak
4205 College Drive
Erie, PA 16563
814-898-6105
behrend-science@psu.edu