Department of Physics, Applied Physics, and Astronomy

Students in the physics concentration receive training in most basic areas of physics and mathematics. The concentration provides a firm foundation in the principles of physics of contemporary interest. A student with such training is prepared to go on to graduate school for additional specialization in physics, engineering or other applied science fields or professions. The undergraduate degree in physics provides an adequate basis for teaching physics in high schools and research and development work in industry.

Although it is preferable for the potential physics major to start physics courses as a first-year student, the structure of the physics curriculum is such that the Harpur College student is able to satisfy the requirements for the BA degree in physics in two years of study following the completion of general physics and a year of calculus. If the student wishes to complete the requirements for the BS degree, an earlier start than the sophomore year is highly advisable.

The department offers a combined physics-engineering program in which students spend three years at Harpur College and two years at an engineering school. Such students receive the BA in physics and the bachelor’s degree in engineering after five years from either the Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science or a school other than Binghamton University.

The department also offers a combined physics-materials science degree program in which students receive the BS in physics and the MS degree in materials science and engineering.

In cooperation with the Computer Science Department of the Watson College, the department has established a five-year program leading to the BS in physics and the BS in computer science.

Students not planning to specialize in physics may find our astronomy courses to be of interest. Taken together, ASTR 114 and 115 satisfy the General Education laboratory science requirement. General Physics, Sophomore Laboratory and various other courses are intended both for the specialist and non-specialist. These courses also satisfy the General Education laboratory science requirement.

Additional Opportunities for the Physics Major

Honors in Physics

An upper-class physics major who has demonstrated superior academic ability may earn honors in physics in one of two ways:

Research Work: With departmental approval, the student enrolls in PHYS 498 - Physics Honors, for a full- or half-course load. The student then works closely with a faculty member on a research project agreed upon by the faculty member, for a total of at least four credit hours. The results of this project are presented in a senior thesis defended by the student at a departmental seminar. A successful defense demonstrating a superior research competence and mastery of the subject earns the recognition of distinguished independent work in physics. Further details are available from the department.

Coursework: The student successfully completes PHYS 424 Honors Quantum Mechanics and PHYS 425 Honors Electrodynamics, both with a grade of B or better. In addition, the student successfully completes a capstone project. The capstone project is prepared under a faculty member’s supervision while registered for a four-credit independent study (PHYS 497). Each course for this option is taken as four credits unless specified otherwise. Further details are available from the department.

Sigma Pi Sigma

Sigma Pi Sigma, a chapter of the National Physics Honor Society, has existed in the department for many decades. The physics major who has achieved a grade-point average in physics of 3.2 or higher in addition to an overall grade-point average of 3.0 or higher is invited to join this prestigious society in their junior or senior year. All students who accept the invitation to join are inducted into Sigma Pi Sigma at a ceremony in the spring.

George E. Moore Award for Academic Achievement in Physics

This award is given annually to an outstanding senior physics major. This award was established to honor the late George E. Moore, a professor in the department for a number of years, by his wife. The award is based on academic achievement, research work and an overall dedication to physics.

George E. Moore Scholarship Endowment

Established in 1986, the endowment awards scholarships to first-year students pursuing an undergraduate degree in physics at Binghamton University. The award selection is based on the student’s prior academic achievements, as reflected in the student’s high school transcripts, Scholastic Aptitude Test scores and other evidence of scholastic merit. The scholarship is renewed every year based on satisfactory progress towards a degree in physics.

Robert J. Penfield Award for Academic Promise in Physics

The Robert J. Penfield Award is given each spring to a physics junior who has shown high interest and outstanding academic promise in physics. Robert Penfield earned his PhD at Syracuse University in 1952. He dedicated the next 40 years to teaching and advising undergraduate students at Binghamton University. When he joined the faculty, we were known as Harpur College, which was located in Endicott. When he retired, we were at Binghamton University here in Vestal.

Graduate Programs

The Physics, Applied Physics and Astronomy Department offers a four-year PhD degree in physics. The PhD is awarded for original investigation leading to a significant advance of knowledge in a specialized area.

The department also offers a two-year master’s degree in physics, generally based upon a research thesis. The department’s goal is for students, upon completing their degrees, to be able to choose between working as a physicist or continuing in a PhD program.

Physics is also a participating department in the Materials Science and Engineering PhD Program. Additional information is available in the materials science and engineering section of the Bulletin.

The department offers relatively small classes in the core curriculum of graduate physics. Elective graduate courses include solid state physics, condensed matter physics/materials science, and more specialized seminars such as electronic thin film science. Applicants from smaller colleges have been successful in the two-year program that includes integrated undergraduate-graduate quantum mechanics, electricity and magnetism and special topics courses. The department encourages early assimilation of students into research groups. Graduate assistantships are available for full-time PhD graduate students. Generally, new students begin with teaching assistantships, though a number of research assistantships are also available. National Science Foundation (NSF) fellowships are available as well.

Funding for the fall semester for graduate applicants is considered beginning Feb. 15 and continues until positions are filled. Throughout the spring semester, the department welcomes applications and campus visits.

Current physics teaching assistantships include a stipend for nine months and a tuition waiver. There may also be additional summer support.