The Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics and Physics

(updated on April 2, 2007)

 

In contrast to an applied mathematics degree or the B.S. in Physics with a Mathematical Physics Concentration, this is a synergistic, coherent, and parallel education in mathematics and physics. A graduate in this program will understand theory and applications in both mathematics and physics and may endeavor to work and make advances in either field. To a close approximation, the challenging coursework corresponds to combining the mathematics and physics cores, with the physics laboratory cluster replaced by a single senior-year laboratory semester.

Also required is a two-semester senior research project under the guidance of a faculty member from either department. The General Education Requirements (or SAGES ), a computer science course, a chemistry sequence and laboratory, and open electives round out the curriculum. A student in this program may use either of two official advisors, one from each department, who would also constitute a committee for the administration of the degree and the approval of curriculum petitions. Not only an excellent preparation for either mathematics or physics graduate schools, the B.S. in Mathematics and Physics is quite suitable for careers in industry. The breadth of its training, from pure mathematical analysis to a hands-on instrumentation experience, is uniquely attractive. It is appropriate for computational science and professional and graduate schools where an excellent education in logical thinking and an in-depth, broad technical problem-solving ability are prized.

The total number of required credits is 126 (35 MATH, 38 PHYS, 6 senior project, 11-13 ENGR and CHEM, with 6 of the normal GER credits satisfied by MATH and PHYS courses). There are 14-16 credits of open electives. The table below lists the required technical courses.

Course		Yr*	Crd	Course		Yr*	Crd
PHYS 121 or 123	Intro Mech	1	4	PHYS 313	Thermo/StatMech	3F	3
PHYS 122 or 124	Intro E&M	1	4	PHYS 331 or 481	Quantum I	3F	3
ENGR 131	CompProg	1	3	PHYS 332 or 482	Quantum II	3S	3
CHEM 105 or 111**	Intro Chem I	1	3 (4)	***	MP group II	3	3
CHEM 106 or ENGR 145**	Intro Chem II	1	3 (4)	***	MP group III	3	3
CHEM 113	Chem Lab	1	2	MATH 321	Analysis I	3F	3
MATH 121 or 123	Calculus I	1	4	MATH 322	Analysis II	3S	3
MATH 122 or 124	Calculus II	1	4	MATH 324	Complex Var	3S	3
PHYS 221	Modern	2	3
***	MP group I	2	3	PHYS 3XX****	Advanced Physics	4	3
PHYS 310	Classical Mechanics	2S	3	** *	MP group IV	4	3
MATH 223 or 227	Calculus III	2	3	MATH/PHYS 351*****	Senior Project	4	4
MATH 224	Diff. Eqs	2	3	*****	SAGES DeptSem	3/4	3
MATH 307	Algebra I	2F	3	PHYS 423	Adv Elec & Mag	4F	3
MATH 308	Algebra II	2S	3	PHYS 472	Grad Lab	4S	3

* course usually taken in this year, offered only in F = fall, S = spring

** If approved by the M&P committee, other science sequence courses may be substituted.

*** The 'MP group' of four courses corresponds to two physics courses and two mathematics courses. The physics courses are chosen from PHYS 250, 349, and 350. The mathematics courses are subject to approval by the advisory committee and are thereby referred to as `approved electives.? They may be chosen from the general list of mathematics courses at the 300 level or higher. It may also be possible to choose a course outside the mathematics and physics departments as a substitute in the MP group, subject to approval by the advisory committee.

**** An advanced physics course to be selected from the following list:

PHYS 315, 316, 326, 327, 328, 336, 365.

***** Students may take their SAGES departmental seminars from either the Department of Mathematics or the Department of Physics. In the latter case, PHYS 303 + PHYS 352 satisfy the SAGES departmental seminar requirement while PHYS 351 is an approved SAGES capstone course.

For more information, contact Prof. Gary Chottiner, gary.chottiner@cwru.edu or Prof. Harsh Mathur, hxm7@po.cwru.edu in the Department of Physics or contact the academic representative of the Department of Mathematics.

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