Interdisciplinary Physics, B.S.

This major requires an in-depth study of the core areas of physics and a selection of courses from the departments of biology, chemistry, psychology, and mathematics and computer science, or from the Boler College of Business. This is the best choice for students interested in pursuing medical school or the five-year M.B.A. program of the Boler College of Business. In addition, this program can be arranged to prepare for environmental science, technical sales, or patent law. Two focused areas of concentration are also available within this major, the biomedical physics and entrepreneurship physics concentrations.

Grade Policies

For all students majoring or minoring in Physics Department programs:

1. A grade of C- or higher must be earned in courses required for each major or minor, including required support courses for the major. A grade lower than C- requires that the course be repeated. In the case of an elective course for a major in which a grade below C- was earned, the student may petition to take an alternative course

2. A cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 must be maintained in all department courses required of a major or minor.

3. A cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 must be maintained in all support courses required of a major.

Dismissal Policy:  Students who earn a GPA below 2.0 in courses required for their major (including support courses) or minor for two consecutive semesters may be dismissed from their major or minor.

Program Learning Goals for the Interdisciplinary Physics Major

Students will:

1. Demonstrate a solid understanding of the core principles and concepts of physics and gain additional knowledge from complementary areas of biology, chemistry, mathematics, computer science, psychology, or business.

2. Apply mathematical, analytical, computational, and experimental skills to model the behavior of physical systems, solve a wide range of physics problems, design and conduct experiments to measure and interpret physical phenomena, and critically evaluate scientific results and arguments, both their own and those of others.

3. Effectively communicate scientific hypotheses, research methods, data and analysis both orally and in writing and in a variety of venues.

4. Demonstrate awareness of professional responsibilities and good citizenship as members of the scientific community.

5. Be prepared to enter graduate school or employment appropriate to their chosen career path.

Major Requirements

49-55 total credit hours:

Plus at least 6 more PH or EP credits at the 300-400 level chosen from:

Plus interdisciplinary support courses from BL, CH, MT, CS, PS, or the Boler College of Business:

Either

An additional 24 credit hours of lower-division courses, which must include 4 credit hours of laboratory courses.

Or

An additional 18 credit hours, at least 8 of which must be upper-division courses.

Required Mathematics Support Courses

Note: For all B.S. programs, up to 8 hours of electives (up to 2 hours of lab credit) may be satisfied by courses in science or engineering offered at other colleges and universities participating in the Northeast Ohio Council on Higher Education Cross Registration Program (subject to approval by the physics department).

Optional Concentrations within the Interdisciplinary Physics major

Students majoring in interdisciplinary physics may group their interdisciplinary support courses around a specialized concentration as a way of developing expertise through focus in a particular area.

Biomedical Physics Concentration: 24-30 credit hours.

The following set of courses is an ideal preparation for students who are interesting in entering medical school or other health-related professions, as well as careers in Medical Physics, Biomedical Engineering, and Biophysics.

Entrepreneurship Physics Concentration: 18 credit hours.

The following set of courses is an ideal preparation for students wishing to combine a strong background in physics with careers involving high-tech business ventures and other entrepreneurial activities. 

Note: ER 203 is a linked course that is paired with EP 201: How Things Work, satisfying the linked courses aspect of the Core curriculum. 

AYA Interdisciplinary Physics B.S. with Chemistry

Students who are pursuing AYA (Adolescent/Young Adult Education) coursework and have chosen the Physical Science Dual Field Licensure area and are planning to teach will need to complete the following coursework in addition to the requirements for the Education major. 

Area Requirements

Physics Courses

Chemistry Courses

Select One

Required Support Courses