Physics
Department of Physics
College of Arts and Sciences
239 Fronczak Hall
North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260-1500
Phone: 716.645.2017
Fax: 716.645.2057
Web: www.physics.buffalo.edu
Francis Gasparini
Chair
Michael G. Fuda
Director of Undergraduate Studies
fuda@buffalo.edu
About the Department
Physics is the fundamental science underlying the investigation of all natural phenomena. It has provided much of the theory and many of the experimental techniques that are widely used in present day science and technology. The list of developments that have come directly from physics is rather impressive: solid state electronics, lasers and masers; the nuclear magnetic resonance techniques used in biology, chemistry, and medicine; x-ray crystallography; electron microscopy; and superconductivity. Physics has also provided a stimulus to philosophy and the general development of the ideas that seek to explain our relation to the rest of the universe.
The Department of Physics consists of 22 full-time faculty members, a number of teaching assistants, a technical support staff, and secretaries. It is housed in Fronczak Hall.
Degrees Offered
Undergraduate: B.A., B.A.’s in the Teaching of Science, B.S. in Mathematical Physics
Graduate: M.S., Ph.D.
About Our Degrees
Acceptance Criteria - B.S.
Minimum GPA of 2.0 in MTH 141-MTH 142 and PHY 107-PHY 108/PHY 158.
Acceptance Criteria - Mathematical Physics
Minimum GPA of 2.5 in MTH 141-MTH 142 and PHY 107-PHY 108/PHY 158.
Acceptance Criteria - B.A.
Minimum GPA of 2.0 in MTH 141-MTH 142 and PHY 107-PHY 108/PHY 158.
Acceptance Criteria - Teaching of Science Program-B.A.
Minimum GPA of 2.0 in MTH 141-MTH 142 and PHY 107-PHY 108/PHY 158. TEI requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 overall for admission.
Acceptance Criteria - Minor
Minimum GPA of 2.0 in MTH 141-MTH 142 and PHY 107-PHY 108/PHY 158.
Acceptance Information
In order to get into any of the undergraduate degree programs students should contact the Undergraduate Director, Professor Michael G. Fuda, 333 Fronczak Hall, (716) 645-2017, ext. 192, e-mail fuda@buffalo.edu. There are no application deadlines. Each year about 10–15 students are accepted into one of the undergraduate degree programs. At present there are about 40 majors in one or the other of the undergraduate physics degree programs and another 20 or so in the interdisciplinary programs.
Degree Requirements
See the Undergraduate Catalog.
Transfer Policy
1. Transfer students from accredited institutions are granted admission to the Department of Physics if they satisfy the following requirements with a minimum overall GPA of 2.0:
a. one-year calculus-based physics course similar to PHY 107-PHY 108/PHY 158
b. one-year calculus course similar to MTH 141-MTH 142
2. For transfer students with more than the minimum coursework listed in (1) above, admission is granted if the student has a minimum GPA of 2.0 in all physics and mathematics courses previously attempted.
3. Academic transfer credit is granted for physics and mathematics courses completed with a grade of C or better that are suitable to the department’s degree programs.
About Our Courses
The department offers lecture courses, lecture/lab courses, and lab courses. The courses taken by just physics majors typically have 10 to 20 students in them. TA's are only used as recitation or lab instructors in the introductory courses. Students interested in pursuing a degree in physics should begin by taking MTH 141-MTH 142 and PHY 107-PHY 108/PHY 158 or an equivalent honors course.
For course descriptions, please see the Undergraduate Catalog.
About Our Faculty
The faculty is comprised of approximately equal number of theorists and experimentalists. Faculty are involved in all areas of physics including condensed matter physics, biophysics, high energy physics, and astrophysics/cosmology.
Five faculty members have received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, and eight are Fellows of the American Physical Society.
The Director of Undergraduate Studies is Professor Michael G. Fuda who can be contacted at fuda@buffalo.edu, 716-645-2017, ext. 192, or 333 Fronczak Hall.
Special Academic Opportunities
Research
Undergraduate physics majors regularly become involved in the research activities of the department. This can involve independent study, part-time employment, and/or full-time employment during the summer.
Departmental Honors
By completing a Senior Thesis and obtaining satisfactory grades it is possible to graduate from the department with Departmental Honors.
Outstanding Senior Award
Each year the Department of Physics chooses an outstanding senior. This student receives a certificate and a monetary award from the department, and also receives a College of Arts and Sciences Dean's Outstanding Senior Award.
Sekula Scholarship
Each year the department awards up to seven scholarships to undergraduate physics majors. This award is based on merit, as well as financial need.
Extracurricular Activities
Undergraduate Physics Club
This organization is an active group open to all students. It sponsors special speakers and workshops, and organizes open houses and social activities. For more information, call 716-645-2017. Students in the club also belong to the Society of Physics Students (SPS) which is affiliated with the American Physical Society.
Astronomy Club
This organization is open to all students who share an interest in astronomy. The facilities are excellent: a new astronomy dome has recently been erected on the roof of the physics building, Fronczak Hall. For more information, call 716-645-2017.
See the UB Student Association.
Advising Information
Advanced Placement
Students who receive a 4 or 5 on the Physics C Mechanics exam can get credit for PHY 107 General Physics I. A grade of 4 or 5 on the Physics C Electricity & Magnetism exam provides credit for PHY 108/PHY 158 General Physics 2/Lab.
Career Information
Work settings include:
People with degrees in physics typically pursue careers in teaching, research, or some combination of the two. Teaching can be at the high school, community college, college, or university level. University teachers generally also engage in research. People who pursue a non-teaching research career work in industries such as the computer chip industry, or work in government labs such as Argonne or Brookhaven.
Post-undergraduate Opportunities
Approximately 90% of our students go on to graduate school, mostly in physics, but a significant number go into other areas such as law, medicine, biophysics, and medical physics. Our students regularly get into outstanding graduate school such as Princeton, Cornell, University of Chicago, MIT, and UB.
Links to Further Information About This Program
- Undergraduate Catalog
- Undergraduate Admissions
- Graduate Admissions
- Department of Physics
- College of Arts and Sciences
- Undergraduate Studies in UB Physics