Department of Physics
Science and Technology Center (McNulty Hall)
(973) 761-9050
www.shu.edu/artsci/physics
Faculty: Hettiarachchilage; Lopez; Morales; Sahiner (Chair); Shojania- Feizabadi; Wang
Faculty Emeriti: Schleifer; Stamer
The Department of Physics offers major programs of study leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science (B.S.) and the degree of Bachelor of Arts (B.A.). The department provides students with a comprehensive grounding in the laws governing the behavior of matter. The intimate relationship between theory and experiment, and the open, dynamic character of physics are stressed. Topics of current interest in fundamental physics and modern technology receive special emphasis.
Students majoring in physics may choose one of the following three options leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science (B.S.):
- Applied Program for students desiring a conventional program in physics to be followed by graduate work in physics or a related field;
- Industrial Program for those who intend to seek employment in industry or government, or those considering a career in secondary education;
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Five-Year Dual Degree (B.S. in Physics +M.S. in Engineering) Program Seton Hall offers this unique 3+2 dual degree program in which students can earn a bachelor's degree in Physics plus a master's degree in Engineering in partnership with Stevens Institute of Technology. Earning two degrees in just five years will give students the skills and experiences to be more versatile and marketable when pursuing future employment or education. Students interested in Engineering will be able to pursue programs in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Civil or Construction Engineering and Management and Ocean Engineering.
Transition to the graduate portion of the program at Stevens is contingent upon meeting the following conditions during your studies at Seton Hall:-
Complete all required Physics course work outlined by your advisor in the first three years. Note, AP credits will not waive science requirements but can be applied as elective credit.
- Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of at least 3.2
- Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA in all Math and Science courses of at least 3.0
- Apply to the Master’s portion of the program in the start of your spring semester of junior year
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The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) program is ideal for those who intend to seek employment in secondary education and those who wish to study physics and pursue professional careers in such fields as business, law, and allied health.
The sequence and diversity of courses for all students will be worked out in consultation with a department adviser who may modify the program in view of each student’s background and objectives.
Note to Students: The following listing represents those courses that are in the active rotation for each department, i.e., have been offered in the past five years. Some departments have additional courses offered more rarely but still available – to find the complete list of all official courses for a department, please use the “Course Catalogue Search” function in Self-Service Banner
Course Descriptions
For non-science students. Emphasis on concepts and methods of physical sciences. Topics range from gravitation and astronomy to modern scientific frauds.
Survey of the historical development and current status of astronomy. The solar system, stars and galaxies, quasars, pulsars, black holes and models of the universe and its history. Eight-inch and 16-inch telescopes are used for observation on clear nights.
Special relativity, kinetic theory and thermodynamics, early quantum theory, atomic models, particle physics. Prerequisite: a year of general physics. Corequisite: MATH 2411 or permission of instructor.
Circuit analysis; electronic instruments; digital and analog integrated circuits; microcomputer interfacing. One laboratory meeting per week. Prerequisite: a year of general physics. Corequisite: MATH 2411.
Newtonian mechanics; particle motion in one, two and three dimensions; systems of particles; rigid body motion; gravity; introductory Lagrangian formalism; small vibrations; special relativity; mechanics of continuous media. Prerequisite: PHYS 2186.
Newtonian mechanics; particle motion in one, two and three dimensions; systems of particles; rigid body motion; gravity; introductory Lagrangian formalism; small vibrations; special relativity; mechanics of continuous media. Prerequisite: PHYS 2186.
Boundary value problems in electrostatics and magnetostatics; Maxwell¿s equations in differential form; time-dependent fields; plasma physics; radiation. Prerequisite: PHYS 2186.
Boundary value problems in electrostatics and magnetostatics; Maxwell's equations in differential form; time-dependent fields; plasma physics; radiation. Prerequisite: PHYS 2186.
Mathematics of wave motion; physical optics, including polarization, diffraction and interference. Selected topics of current interest; fiber optics, integrated optics, lasers, holography and the principles of spectroscopy. Prerequisite: PHYS 2186.
PHYS 3811 and PHYS 3814 together cover a set of historically important experiments. PHYS 3812 and PHYS 3815 cover these same experiments to greater depth with additional topics. Lab fee $25 for each course. .Prerequisites: PHYS 2883. Fall Semester: PHYS 3811 (1 credit), 3812 (2 credits). Spring Semester: PHYS 3814 (1 credit), 3815 (2 credits).
PHYS 3811 and PHYS 3814 together cover a set of historically important experiments. PHYS 3812 and PHYS 3815 cover these same experiments to greater depth with additional topics. Lab fee $25 for each course. Prerequisites: PHYS 2883. Fall Semester: PHYS 3811 (1 credit), 3812 (2 credits). Spring Semester: PHYS 3814 (1 credit), 3815 (2 credits).
Selected topics in physics chosen by the instructor.
Kinetic theory; quantum statistics; systems of interacting particles. Applications to solids. Prerequisite: PHYS 2186.
Introduction to the methods of original investigation in experimental or theoretical physics. (For selected seniors majoring in physics) Prerequisite: permission of instructor.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Fall Semester: PHYS 4811 (1 credit), 4812 (2 credits). Spring Semester: PHYS 4814 (1 credit), 4815 (2 credits). Supervised research.
Lab fee $25 for each course. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Fall Semester: PHYS 4811 (1 credit), 4812 (2 credits). Spring Semester: PHYS 4814 (1 credit), 4815 (2 credits). Supervised research.
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