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
Francis Gasparini
Chair
fmg@buffalo.edu
Michael G. Fuda
Director of Undergraduate Studies
fuda@buffalo.edu
About the Program
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 impressive list of developments that have come directly from physics includes: 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 to the general development of the ideas that seek to explain our relation to the rest of the universe.
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, email 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 the BS and BA programs in physics and another 25-30 in the interdisciplinary programs (Computational Physics, Engineering Physics, Mathematical Physics).
Degree Requirements
See the Undergraduate Catalog.
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.
See a list of our undergraduate faculty.
Practical Experience and Special Academic Opportunities
Undergraduate Research and Practical Experience
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.
Interested students should visit http://www.physics.buffalo.edu/undergraduate/UndergraduateResearchMentors.. This web page describes the undergraduate research mentors program of the physics department. Students earn credit for their undergraduate research in PHY 498 Undergraduate Reasearch.
Honors, Awards, and Scholarships
To graduate with departmental honors, a student must excel in coursework and complete a senior thesis. The designations given below are awarded to students who have the corresponding GPAs in courses required for the Department of Physics degree programs and who have completed a senior thesis:
Distinction 3.25
High honors 3.50
Highest honors 3.75
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: two new astronomy domes have 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
Work settings include:
People with degrees in physics typically pursue careers in teaching or 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 generally 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 schools 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
Last Modified: Tuesday, 7-Nov-2006 10:26:14 EST