Program: Physics, BS Major in - Hofstra University

Mar 16, 2025

2025-2026 Undergraduate Bulletin

This program provides broad theoretical and experimental knowledge in physics, and is recommended for students interested in pursuing graduate work in physics, astronomy, engineering and other physical sciences. The curriculum includes required courses in writing studies and composition as well as electives in humanities and social science to give the students a general background to supplement training as a specialist. Grades of C- or better are required in all physics courses and technical electives.

Candidates for graduation must fulfill the following requirements:

1. Total Semester Hours: at least 124

The successful completion of at least 124 semester hours and a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 in work completed at Hofstra.

2. Liberal Arts

At least 65 semester hours must be in liberal arts courses outside of the Department of Physics and Astronomy .

3. Residence Requirements

There are two requirements that must ordinarily be completed in residence at Hofstra: 15 semester hours in the major field of specialization and the last 30 semester hours. The 15 semester hours need not be included within the last 30 hours.

4. General Requirements

Six semester hours of humanities distribution courses .
Six semester hours in social science distribution courses .
CHEM 003A - (NS) General Chemistry I Semester Hours: 3 - 4
CHEM 003B - (NS) General Chemistry Laboratory I Semester Hours: 1
CHEM 004A - (NS) General Chemistry II Semester Hours: 3
CHEM 004B - (NS) General Chemistry Laboratory II Semester Hours: 1
CSC 015 - (CS) Fundamentals of Computer Science I: Problem Solving and Program Design Semester Hours: 4
MATH 071 - (MA) Analytic Geometry and Calculus I Semester Hours: 4
MATH 072 - (MA) Analytic Geometry and Calculus II Semester Hours: 4
MATH 073 - (MA) Analytic Geometry and Calculus III Semester Hours: 4
MATH 131 - (MA) Elementary Differential Equations Semester Hours: 3
MATH 143 - (MA) Engineering Mathematics I Semester Hours: 3
PHYS 011A - (NS) General Physics Semester Hours: 4
PHYS 011B - (NS) General Physics Laboratory Semester Hours: 1
PHYS 012A - (NS) General Physics Semester Hours: 4
PHYS 012B - (NS) General Physics Laboratory Semester Hours: 1
PHYS 104 - Electricity and Magnetism Semester Hours: 3
PHYS 118A - Modern Physics Semester Hours: 3
PHYS 118B - Modern Physics Laboratory I Semester Hours: 1
PHYS 125 - Introduction to Astrophysics Semester Hours: 3
PHYS 135 - Optics Semester Hours: 3
PHYS 136 - Statistical Mechanics With Thermodynamics Semester Hours: 3
PHYS 137 - Optics Laboratory Semester Hours: 1
PHYS 140 - Mechanics Semester Hours: 3
PHYS 159 - Introduction to Quantum Mechanics Semester Hours: 3
PHYS 160 - Solid State Physics Semester Hours: 3
Plus two additional semester hours of intermediate/advanced laboratory courses (listed below). Up to one semester hour of this two semester hour lab requirement may be fulfilled by a project course (listed below).
WSC 001 - Composition Semester Hours: 3-4
WSC 002 - Composition Semester Hours: 3

Intermediate/advanced laboratory requirement

The following courses satisfy the intermediate/advanced laboratory requirement of the BA Major in Physics , the BS Major in Applied Physics , and the BS Major in Physics:

ASTR 031L - Frontiers of Astronomy: Observations and Experimentalism Semester Hours: 3
ASTR 190L - Independent Studies Laboratory Semester Hours: 1-3
PHYS 118B - Modern Physics Laboratory I Semester Hours: 1
PHYS 118C - Modern Physics Laboratory I Semester Hours: 1
PHYS 157 - Modern Physics Laboratory II Semester Hours: 1
PHYS 158 - Modern Physics Laboratory II Semester Hours: 1
PHYS 163 - Independent Research Projects in Physics Semester Hours: 1
PHYS 164 - Independent Research Projects in Physics Semester Hours: 1
PHYS 170L - Independent Undergraduate Research Semester Hours: 1-3
PHYS 171L - Independent Undergraduate Research Semester Hours: 1-3

Project Courses (for BA Major in Physics and BS Major in Physics)

The following courses are considered project courses for both the BA and the BS in physics:

ASTR 031 - Frontiers of Astronomy: Black Holes, Pulsars, Supernovae and Quasars Semester Hours: 3
ASTR 190 - Independent Studies Semester Hours: 1-3
PHYS 100 - Departmental Honors Candidacy: Research Semester Hours: 3
PHYS 170 - Independent Undergraduate Research Semester Hours: 1-3
PHYS 171 - Independent Undergraduate Research Semester Hours: 1-3
PHYS 185 - Physics Internship Semester Hours: 1-6

Complete BS Requirements

BS Requirements in Hofstra College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Recommended Program Sequence - Total Hours: 124

Sample Schedule: Physics, BS (124 Semester Hours)

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