UB Programs At-A-Glance

Computational Physics

Department of Physics

College of Arts and Sciences
239 Fronczak Hall
North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260-1500

Phone: 716.645.2017
Fax: 716.645.2507
Web: www.physics.buffalo.edu

Chunming Qiao (Computer Science and Engineering)
Director of Undergraduate Studies (CSE)
qiao@computer.org

Michael G. Fuda (Physics)
Director of Undergraduate Studies (PHY)
fuda@buffalo.edu

Department of Computer Science and Engineering

School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
226 Bell Hall
North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260-2000

Phone: 716.645.3180
Fax: 716.645.3464
Web: www.cs.buffalo.edu

About the Program

This degree program, offered jointly by the Department of Physics and the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, makes it possible to pursue a number of career options. Graduates can pursue a research career in the traditional areas of physics such as condensed matter physics or particle physics, with a strong emphasis on computation. Graduates who pursue careers in physics education find that they are well prepared to use computers in the classroom and the teaching laboratory, and to develop educational software. Graduates can also play an important role in the development of virtual universities and the technology needed to facilitate distance learning, or pursue employment in firms that develop scientific software, as well as computer games. Even Wall Street employers are interested in people with a background in computational physics.

About Our Degrees

Acceptance Criteria - B.S.

Minimum GPA of 2.5 in CSE 115-CSE 116, MTH 141-MTH 142, and PHY 107-PHY 108/PHY 158.

Acceptance Criteria - B.S./M.S.

Minimum GPA of 3.0 in CSE 115-CSE 116, CSE 191/MTH 191, MTH 141-MTH 142, MTH 241, PHY 107-PHY 108/PHY 158, PHY 207, PHY 257.

Acceptance Information

In order to be admitted to any of the undergraduate degree programs, students should contact the Undergraduate Director of the Department of Physics, Professor Michael G. Fuda at fuda@buffalo.edu; 645-2017, ext. 192; or 333 Fronczak Hall. There are no application deadlines. At present there are about five majors in the computational physics programs.

Degree Requirements

See the Undergraduate Catalog.

About Our Courses

The computational physics program offers lecture courses, lecture/lab courses, and lab courses. The physics courses taken only by majors typically have 10 to 20 students in them, the computer science courses are somewhat larger. 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 CSE 115-CSE 116, MTH 141-MTH 142 and PHY 107-PHY 108/PHY 158, or an equivalent honors course.

For computer science course descriptions, please see the Undergraduate Catalog.

For physics course descriptions, please see the Undergraduate Catalog.

About Our Faculty

The physics 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 physics 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.

Practical Experience and Special Academic Opportunities

Undergraduate Research and Practical Experience

Undergraduate computational physics majors regularly become involved in the research activities of the Department of Physics. This can involve independent study, part-time employment, and/or full-time employment during the summer.

Honors, Awards, and Scholarships

Departmental Honors
By completing a senior thesis and obtaining satisfactory grades, it is possible to graduate from the B.S. program 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 of Physics awards up to seven scholarships to undergraduate majors pursuing one of its programs. 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 Sociey.

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.

Career Information and Further Study

With this program, a graduate can pursue a research career in the traditional areas of physics (for example, in condensed matter physics or particle physics), but with a strong emphasis on computation. Graduates can pursue teaching careers in physics, and they are well prepared to use computers in the classroom and the teaching laboratory, and to develop physics educational software. Graduates can also play an important role in the development of virtual universities and the technology needed to facilitate distance learning. This degree also makes it possible to pursue employment in firms that develop scientific software, as well as computer games. Even Wall Street employers are interested in people with a background in computational physics.

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 are admitted to outstanding graduate schools such as Princeton, Cornell, University of Chicago, MIT, and UB.

Links to Further Information About This Program

Last Modified: Tuesday, 7-Nov-2006 10:26:06 EST