Physics and Astronomy

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www.cpp.edu/~sci/physics-astronomy/

Hector C. Mireles, Chair

Medical-breakthrough laser treatments, extrasolar planets and severe climate changes make front-page news every day. Understanding these complex problems with scientific reasoning and problem-solving skills are needed in today’s job market.

Cal Poly Pomona’s Physics and Astronomy department explores the fundamental properties of matter and energy, and teaches concepts to understand and appreciate any observed phenomenon. Our curriculum explores the interactions of matter and energy at the deepest levels, from the subatomic to the cosmic.

Our majors learn principles of physics through a curriculum that builds strong quantitative and analytical skills and offers many opportunities for undergraduate research. Students may explore interdisciplinary areas such as biophysics, astrophysics, optics, computational physics and materials science. Physics majors enjoy relatively small upper division classes spanning experimental and theoretical aspects of classical and modern physics. Students engage in cutting-edge research, working closely with faculty in such fields as biophysics, optics, plasma physics, physics education research, astrophysics, and condensed matter physics.

The Department of Physics and Astronomy prepares students for a variety of career paths, including graduate programs in physics, astronomy, engineering and related fields; teacher certification; and research jobs in industry, government, and at national laboratories.

According to the American Institute of Physics (AIP), our department is ranked in the top 1% nationally for number of B.S. degrees in physics, and we are ranked third nationally for number of physics graduates from underrepresented minority groups.

Physics majors who demonstrate a high level of academic achievement have the opportunity to join the honorary society, Sigma Pi Sigma. Additional information concerning membership can be obtained from the Physics and Astronomy Department. We offer three degree options for students:

1. The General Physics Option includes theoretical and experimental courses in all areas of physics, and prepares students for a wide range of technical and scientific careers, as well as admission to graduate programs in physics and related fields.  Students in this option can choose to do an Emphasis in Astrophysics, if they wish.
    
2. The Integrated Science Option is designed  to provide students with a balance of in-depth physics knowledge and quantitative skills alongside a broad education in the other branches of natural science, the history and nature of science, and strong communication skills for a wide variety of careers in education and education policies including secondary math and science teaching.
   
   This option is particularly suited to the needs of students planning a career as a secondary science teacher (either middle school or high school), for whom a Single Subject Credential in science is required. Before entering into a single subject credential program, students must demonstrate subject matter competency by either passing the appropriate state-approved examination (CSET) or completing a state-approved subject matter preparation program in Physics. The Integrated Science Option in the Bachelor of Science in Physics Program enables students to meet these requirements. Prospective teachers are encouraged to contact the Center for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (CEMaST) early in their academic programs at cemast@cpp.edu or 909-869-4063.
    
3. The Biophysics Option is designed to provide students with multidisciplinary preparation for a wide variety of careers and advanced programs of study that involve the application of physical principles to biological and medical problems, including basic and applied research, careers in biomedical and biotechnology industries, professional studies for clinical careers, and science education.

Programs

• Physics, B.S. - Biophysics Subplan/Option: 120 units
• Physics, B.S. - General Subplan/Option: 120 units
• Physics, B.S. - Integrated Science Subplan/Option: 120 units

• Astronomy Minor: 41 units
• Biophysics Minor: 47 units
• Physics Minor: 39 units

Courses

• AST 1010 - Stars, Galaxies, and the Universe (3)
• AST 2000 - Special Study for Lower Division Students (1-3)
• AST 2990 - Special Topics for Lower Division Students (1-3)
• AST 2990A - Special Topics for Lower Division Students Activity (1-3)
• AST 2990L - Special Topics for Lower Division Students Laboratory (1-3)
• AST 3050 - Archaeoastronomy (3)
• AST 3240 - Observational Astronomy (2)
• AST 3240A - Observational Astronomy Computer Activity (1)
• AST 3420 - Life, the Universe, and Everything (3)
• AST 4000 - Special Study for Upper Division Students (1-3)
• AST 4240 - Astrophysics I: Stars and Planetary Systems (3)
• AST 4240A - Astrophysics I Recitation Activity (1)
• AST 4250 - Astrophysics II: Galaxies and the Universe (3)
• AST 4250A - Astrophysics II Recitation Activity (1)
• AST 4990 - Special Topics for Upper Division Students (1-3)
• AST 4990A - Special Topics for Upper Division Students Activity (1-3)
• AST 4990L - Special Topics for Upper Division Students Laboratory (1-3)

The semesters in which particular courses are offered are indicated by the F and/or Sp notations. If a course is not given each year, an indication of its offering in odd or even years is given.

• PHY 1020 - Fundamentals of Physics (3)
• PHY 1050 - The Physics of Musical Sound (2)
• PHY 1050L - Physics of Musical Sound Laboratory (1)
• PHY 1210 - Physics of Motion, Fluids, and Heat (3)
• PHY 1210L - Physics of Motion, Fluids, and Heat Laboratory (1)
• PHY 1220 - Physics of Electromagnetism, Circuits, and Light (3)
• PHY 1220L - Electromagnetism, Circuits, and Light Laboratory (1)
• PHY 1510 - Introduction to Newtonian Mechanics (3)
• PHY 1510A - Newtonian Mechanics Recitation Activity (1)
• PHY 1510L - Newtonian Mechanics Laboratory (1)
• PHY 1520 - Introduction to Electromagnetism and Circuits (3)
• PHY 1520A - Electromagnetism and Circuits Recitation Activity (1)
• PHY 1520L - Introductory Laboratory on Electromagnetism and Circuits (1)
• PHY 2000 - Special Study for Lower Division Students (1-3)
• PHY 2120 - Physics for Elementary Educators (2)
• PHY 2120L - Physics for Elementary Educators Laboratory (1)
• PHY 2530 - Introduction to Electromagnetic Radiation and Special Relativity (3)
• PHY 2530A - Electromagnetic Radiation and Special Relativity Recitation Activity (1)
• PHY 2530L - Introductory Laboratory on Electromagnetic Radiation and Special Relativity (1)
• PHY 2540 - Introduction to Thermal and Quantum Physics (3)
• PHY 2540A - Thermal and Quantum Physics Recitation Activity (1)
• PHY 2540L - Introductory Laboratory on Thermal and Quantum Physics (1)
• PHY 2990 - Special Topics for Lower Division Students (1-3)
• PHY 2990A - Special Topics for Lower Division Students Activity (1-3)
• PHY 2990L - Special Topics for Lower Division Students Laboratory (1-3)
• PHY 3010 - Energy and Society (3)
• PHY 3020 - Physics for Future Presidents (3)
• PHY 3040 - Electronics for Scientists (2)
• PHY 3040L - Electronics for Scientists Laboratory (1)
• PHY 3060 - History of Physics (3)
• PHY 3070 - Introduction to Global Geophysics (2)
• PHY 3070L - Introduction to Global Geophysics Laboratory (1)
• PHY 3210 - Advanced Classical Mechanics (3)
• PHY 3210A - Advanced Classical Mechanics Recitation Activity (1)
• PHY 3440 - Applied Optics (2)
• PHY 3440A - Computational Activities in Applied Optics Activity (1)
• PHY 3600 - Mathematical Methods of Physics I (3)
• PHY 3600A - Mathematical Methods of Physics I Recitation Activity (1)
• PHY 3610 - Mathematical Methods of Physics II (3)
• PHY 4000 - Special Study for Upper Division Students (1-3)
• PHY 4010 - Quantum Mechanics I (3)
• PHY 4010A - Quantum Mechanics I Recitation Activity (1)
• PHY 4020 - Quantum Mechanics II (3)
• PHY 4040 - Introduction to High Energy Physics (3)
• PHY 4060 - Introduction to Condensed Matter Physics (3)
• PHY 4090 - Computational Physics (2)
• PHY 4090A - Computational Physics Activity (1)
• PHY 4100 - Biophysics (3)
• PHY 4140 - Electricity and Magnetism I (3)
• PHY 4140A - Electricity and Magnetism I Recitation Activity (1)
• PHY 4150 - Electricity and Magnetism II (3)
• PHY 4170 - Wave Optics (2)
• PHY 4170L - Wave Optics Laboratory (1)
• PHY 4220 - Plasma Physics (3)
• PHY 4330 - Thermal and Statistical Physics (3)
• PHY 4330A - Thermal and Statistical Physics Recitation Activity (1)
• PHY 4410 - Internship in Physics (1-2)
• PHY 4510A - Advanced Laboratory Physics - Advanced Instrumentation Recitation Activity (1)
• PHY 4510L - Advanced Laboratory Physics - Advanced Instrumentation Laboratory (1)
• PHY 4520A - Advanced Laboratory Physics - Contemporary Experiments Recitation Activity (1)
• PHY 4520L - Advanced Laboratory Physics - Contemporary Experiments Laboratory (1)
• PHY 4610 - Senior Project I (1)
• PHY 4620 - Senior Project II (2)
• PHY 4630 - Undergraduate Seminar (1)
• PHY 4990 - Special Topics for Upper Division Students (1-3)
• PHY 4990A - Special Topics for Upper Division Students Activity (1-3)
• PHY 4990L - Special Topics for Upper Division Students Laboratory (1-3)

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