The Bachelor of Science in Applied Physics Degree
The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Physics, Applied Option (also known as Applied Physics), is designed especially for those who seek a technical career in science or engineering with a B.S. degree only, but at the same time, desire an education of sufficient rigor to leave open the possibility of studies toward an advanced (M.S. or Ph.D.) degree in physics, applied physics, or related interdisciplinary field. This might be the ideal option for students who like physics -- both the principles involved and their applications to the real world (as an engineer might do) -- but worry about what kind of a job they can get with a physics degree at the B.S. level.
The hallmark of the Applied Option is its flexibility. Depending upon the electives taken, the student may specialize in one of many exciting high-tech areas (see example plans of study below), or, even, leave the door open to graduate school.
The OSU Department of Physics offers a complete range of elementary and advanced physics courses. See the Physics Course Catalog for more information.
In addition to these undergraduate courses, advanced seniors may be given the opportunity of taking graduate courses in classical mechanics, statistical thermodynamics, lasers, and quantum mechanics. Juniors and seniors are encouraged to work with a faculty member on a research project.
Typical Plans of Study
There is considerable latitude in the design of a plan of study for the Applied Physics major. One of the great advantages of a Physics degree is the flexibility in course sequencing. Representative plans of study consist of courses from the Applied Option Core Requirements plus courses in a chosen area of specialization.
Applied Option Core Requirements:
- PHYS 2114 General Physics
- PHYS 3013 Mechanics I
- PHYS 3113 Heat
- PHYS 3213 Optics
- PHYS 3322 Modern Laboratory Methods I
- PHYS 3513 Mathematical Physics
- PHYS 3622 Modern Laboratory Methods II
- PHYS 3713 Modern Physics I
- PHYS 4113 Electricity and Magnetism
- MATH 2233 Differential Equations
Examples of possible applied option specializations include:
- Physics plus Chemical Engineering
- Physics plus Civil Engineering
- Physics plus Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Physics plus Industrial Engineering and Management
- Physics plus Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
- Physics plus Pre-Med
- Physics plus Business
- Physics plus Computer Science
Other possibilities include:
Physics plus Mathematics; Physics plus Chemistry; Physics plus Education; and Physics plus Materials Science.
Physics plus Chemical Engineering
Applied Option Core Courses plus the following courses:
- CHE 2033 Introduction to Chemical Process Engineering
- CHE 3013 Rate Operations I
- CHE 3113 Rate Operations II
- CHE 3473 Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics
- CHE 4002 Chemical Engineering Laboratory I
- CHE 4112 Chemical Engineering Laboratory II
- Plus 3 more hours upper division CHE
Physics plus Civil Engineering
Applied Option Core Courses plus the following courses:
- ENSC 2143 Strength of Materials
- ENSC 3233 Fluid Mechanics
- CIVE 3413 Structural Analysis
- CIVE 3513 Structural Steel Design
- CIVE 3523 Reinforced Concrete Design
- CIVE 3623 Engineering Materials Laboratory
- CIVE 3713 Geotechnical Engineering
- CIVE 4711 Basic Soils Testing Laboratory
Physics plus Electrical and Computer Engineering
Applied Option Core Courses plus the following courses:
- ECEN 3113 Energy Conversion
- ECEN 3213 Microcomputer Principles and Applications
- ECEN 3233 Digital Logic Design
- ECEN 3314 Electronic Devices and Applications
- ECEN 3513 Signal Analysis
- ECEN 4023 Senior Design Lab II
- Plus 3 more hours upper division ECEN
Physics plus Industrial Engineering and Management
Applied Option Core Courses plus the following courses:
- STAT 4033 Engineering Statistics
- ENSC 3313 Materials Science
- IEM 3303 Manufacturing Processes
- IEM 3503 Engineering Economic Analysis
- IEM 3703 Manufacturing and Service Systems and Tools II
One of the following three courses is also suggested:
- IEM 4203 Facilities and Material Handling System Design
- IEM 4613 Production Planning and Control Systems
- IEM 4713 Introduction to Systems Simulation Modeling
Physics plus Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Applied Option Core Courses plus the following courses:
- ENSC 2143 Strength of Materials
- ENSC 3233 Fluid Mechanics
- ENSC 3313 Materials Science
- IEM 3503 Engineering Economic Analysis
- MAE 3033 Engineering Design
- MAE 3113 Measurements and Instrumentation
- MAE 3323 Mechanical Design I
- MAE 3723 Systems I
Physics plus Pre-Med
Applied Option Core Courses plus the following courses:
- ZOOL 1604 Animal Biology
- MICR 3033 Cell and Molecular Biology
- BIOL 3023 General Genetics
- CHEM 3053 Organic Chemistry I
- CHEM 3112 Organic Chemistry Laboratory
- CHEM 3153 Organic Chemistry II
- ZOOL 3114 Vertebrate Morphology
- ZOOL 4134 Embryology
- ZOOL 4215 Mammalian Physiology
Physics plus Business
Applied Option Core Courses plus the following courses:
- ACCT 2103 Financial Accounting
- ACCT 2203 Managerial Accounting
- ECON 2103 Introduction to Microeconomics
- ECON 2203 Introduction to Macroeconomics
- MGMT 3013 Fundamentals of Management
- MKTG 3213 Marketing
- FIN 3113 Finance
- Plus 8 more upper division hours in science or business.
Physics plus Computer Science
Applied Option Core Courses plus the following courses:
- CS 1113 Computer Sciences I
- CS 2133 Computer Sciences II
Applied Option requirements also consist of 17 hours from the following three groups:
Group 1. The three courses below are mandatory:
- CS 2351 Unix Programming
- CS 2433 C/C++ Programming
- CS 3443 Computer Systems
Group 2. Select 5 to 13 hours from the following:
- CS 3373 Advanced Object-Oriented Programming
- CS 4143 Computer Graphics
- CS 4283 Computer Networks
- CS 4323 Design and Implementation of Operating Systems I
- CS 4343 Data Structures and Algorithm Analysis I
Group 3. The balance, if any, of the 17 hours may be selected from courses in related fields.
