Physics and Astronomy

College of Science and Engineering
Dean: Sheldon Axler

Department of Physics and Astronomy
TH 334
415-338-1659
Fax: 415-338-2178
E-mail: physics@stars.sfsu.edu
Chair: James M. Lockhart

Graduate Coordinator: Susan M. Lea

Faculty

Professors—Bland, Burke, Fisher, Greensite, Hagar, Johns, Lea, Lockhart, Neuhauser, Peters, Rogers, Shapiro

Associate Professors—Chen, Cool, Golterman

Assistant Professor—Marzke

Adjunct Professors—Adler, Doherty,  Lipschultz, Marcy

Lecturers—Stanford, Waxman

Programs

B.A. in Physics
B.A. in Physics: Concentration in Astronomy
B.S. in Physics
B.S. in Physics: Concentration in Astrophysics
Minor in Astronomy
Minor in Physics
M.S. in Physics

Program Scope

The Physics and Astronomy Department offers strong undergraduate and graduate programs in physics, astronomy, and astrophysics which are designed to prepare students for a variety of careers in science, technology, and teaching, as well as for graduate study. The goal is to educate versatile physicists and astronomers who combine a solid knowledge of theory with real-world skills in problem solving, data acquisition and analysis, and computer-based simulation and analysis. The department specializes in the "hands-on" approach so important in the 21st century.  Students at all levels are encouraged to work on a research project under the direction of a faculty supervisor. The projects may involve experimental laboratory work, astronomical observations and data analysis, or theoretical modeling using analytical and computational approaches.

The Bachelor of Arts in Physics is suited for students whose career goals involve the combination of physics with other fields such as education, engineering, business, or humanities. This program provides excellent preparation for middle school or high school teachers, technical writers, technical salespeople, and technicians. This program stresses education in physics fundamentals with some additional advanced courses, laboratory, and computer work. The B.A. in Physics can be combined with a minor in business, engineering, art, or humanities to prepare students for careers that cross disciplinary lines.

The Bachelor of Arts in Physics: Concentration in Astronomy program is similar to the B.A. in Physics, but with upper division work concentrated in astronomy. This program also provides excellent preparation for middle school or high school teachers and technical writers, as well as observatory or planetarium staff.

The Bachelor of Science in Physics is designed to educate students who plan to pursue education in physics or related fields (M.S. or Ph.D. programs), or who plan to seek employment at physicists, scientific associates, or technical staff members in industry, national laboratories, or academic laboratories. This program combines the education in physics fundamentals of the B.A. program with additional advanced courses, laboratory, and computer work, and more specialized work in a specialty such as solid state physics, optical physics, or computational physics. Students in this program are strongly encouraged to gain research experience. Graduates should have the fundamental mathematical, scientific, and learning skills to enable them to be lifelong learners who can rapidly master new scientific and technical developments. A satisfactory score on an exit examination is required.

The Bachelor of Science in Physics: Concentration in Astrophysics is similar to the B.S. in Physics program, but with significant upper division work in astronomy, as appropriate for students planning employment or graduate study in the area of astrophysics. A senior project with thesis is required.

The Minor in Physics and Minor in Astronomy programs are available for students desiring a coherent program in physics or astronomy but one not as extensive as the B.A. It provides an excellent background for prospective secondary school teachers who wish to teach in physics or astronomy as well as in their major area, or for engineers who want additional depth in areas such as solid state physics or optical physics.

The goal of the Master of Science in Physics is to provide a solid, in-depth background in theoretical and experimental physics, appropriate for students pursuing further education in the field via Ph.D. programs in physics, astronomy, or certain engineering fields, or for those seeking employment as physicists/astronomers in physics/astronomy-related jobs and professions; e.g., as technical associates, laboratory physicists, physics or astronomy data analyzers, engineers, or in education as instructors in junior or community colleges. This program combines advanced education in core physics topics with additional advanced courses, laboratory and computer work, and more concentrated work in a specialty such as solid state physics, quantum optics, astrophysics, or computational physics. Students in this program are strongly encouraged to gain research experience.

UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS IN PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY

High school preparation for these programs should include two years of algebra, one year of geometry, one-half year of trigonometry, one year of chemistry, and one year of physics. Some experience in computer programming is valuable. All students, especially those who have not completed a substantial chemistry course in high school, are strongly urged to take CHEM 115 and 215-216 in their freshmen year.

It is suggested that students in these programs consult with their adviser before selecting courses to meet General Education requirements. Unnecessary repetition of elementary topics might be avoided by careful selection of courses. A plan of study prepared in consultation with a department adviser is prerequisite to entry into upper division study. Students who are considering teaching physics at the secondary school level should see a credential adviser in the Physics and Astronomy Department before planning the major since specific courses and a competency assessment are required for admission to the credential program.

Bachelor of Arts in Physics

On-line course descriptions are available.

Bachelor of Arts in Physics: Concentration in Astronomy

Bachelor of Science in Physics

Bachelor of Science in Physics: Concentration in Astrophysics

MINOR IN PHYSICS

MINOR IN ASTRONOMY

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN PHYSICS

Students wishing to be admitted to the Master of Science in Physics should have completed an undergraduate major in physics, with a 3.0 grade point average in physics and mathematics courses. Students whose undergraduate degree is in another field may be admitted to conditionally classified status, but additional undergraduate-level course work will be required to make up the deficiency. Contact the graduate coordinator for further details.

The department does not offer a graduate program in astronomy or astrophysics, but students interested in those areas can utilize their graduate electives within the M.S. in Physics to obtain a suitable background.

NOTE: Degree total to include no more than six units of PHYS 897 and 899 together, nor more than four units of PHYS 730.

Examinations. The Oral Defense of Thesis is delivered to the student's advisory committee and includes responses to questions from the committee on subjects related to the thesis topic. The Master's Comprehensive Oral Examination is delivered to the student's advisory committee and covers all areas of theoretical and experimental physics deemed appropriate by the committee. The Oral Defense of Thesis or Master's Comprehensive Oral Examination may be repeated once, at the discretion of the committee, upon petition by the student.

Prior to taking the master's comprehensive examination or presenting the oral defense of thesis, M.S. students must pass a written examination on undergraduate-level physics.  The requirement may be satisfied by achieving a satisfactory score on either the Physics Advanced Graduate Record Examination or a departmental examination.

Footnotes

1. It is also recommended that students take MATH 245 or MATH 376.
2. Additional upper division elective units in astronomy, mathematics, or physics may be substituted for CSC 210 by students proficient in computer programming subject to approval by the department chair.