B.S. in Physics
Siena College
Key Information
Campus location
Loudonville, USA
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
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Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
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Application deadline
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Earliest start date
Sep 2023
Scholarships
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Introduction
Siena's physics degree focuses on active student participation in cutting-edge research. This hands-on experience, in addition to a demanding curriculum, teaches you how to think critically and prepares you for exciting careers in a broad range of fields.
Program Highlights
- Undergraduate research
- Small class sizes
- Dynamic, growing department
- Commitment to exploring new and effective pedagogical techniques
- Accessible faculty
- Student travel (Puerto Rico, China, Greenland and more)
- Access to computational cluster
- Interdisciplinary work in biophysics, electrical engineering, and astrochemistry
Requirements for the Major
- PHYS130 - General Physics I 4 credits
- PHYS140 - General Physics II 4 credits
- PHYS220 - Modern Physics 4 credits
- PHYS250 - Intro to Computational Physics 3 credits
- PHYS260 - Thermal Physics 3 credits
- PHYS470 - Advanced Laboratory I 1 TO 3 credits
- PHYS472 - Advanced Laboratory II 1 TO 2 credits
AND
- PHYS370 - Experimental Techniques 2 credits
OR
- PHYS380 - Observational Astronomy 3 credits
AND
And students must complete 4 additional advanced courses (numbered 300 and above). Courses must total at least 13 credits. At least two of the courses must come from the following:
- PHYS310 - Mechanics I 4 credits
- PHYS410 - Electromagnetic Theory I 4 credits
- PHYS440 - Quantum Physics 3 credits
Auxiliary courses (32 credits)
- CHEM110 - General Chemistry 1 4 credits
- MATH110 - Calculus I 4 credits
- MATH120 - Calculus II 4 credits
- MATH210 - Calculus III 4 credits
- MATH325 - Differential Equations 3 credits
- MATH330 - Intro to Applied Mathematics I 3 credits
- SCDV230 - Electronic Instrumentation 4 credits
AND
- MATH230 - Linear Algebra 3 credits
OR
- MATH430 - Intro to Applied Math II 3 credits
AND
One Computer Science Course, CSIS 110 or higher (3 credits)
Transfer students from two-year colleges may receive credit for General Physics I, II, Modern Physics, Thermal Physics, Calculus I, II, III, Differential Equations, General Chemistry I and General Chemistry II.
Pre-engineering students are advised to take General Physics I and II in the freshman year.
Success Stats
- 100% of recent graduates are employed or in graduate school
- 100% of students participate in an independent study or research project and 80% of students have received paid summer research internships
- $4 million in active research grants was secured by the National Science Foundation, NASA, the Department of Defense and Department of Energy
- The freshman retention rate is 94%
Skills Developed
- Understanding of the fundamental concepts and theories of physics.
- Strong analytical skills and facility with mathematical modeling.
- Demonstrated ability with laboratory equipment and techniques including computers as analytical and experimental tools.
- Ability to analyze and interpret experimental data, and assess the statistical significance of results.
- Aptitude for researching and clearly expressing scientific ideas using oral, visual and written communication.
- Ability to evaluate the quality of scientific information.
- Competence in designing, planning and conducting an independent research project.
- Familiarity with the historical development of physics.
Recent Employers of our Graduates
- General Dynamics
- GE
- GlobalFoundries
- IBM
- Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory
- NASA
- Plug Power
- Sematech
- Southwest Research Institute
- SuperPower Inc.
- Unique Technical Services
- U.S. Air Force
- U.S. Army
- X-Ray Optical Systems
- Zoetis Pharmaceutical
Internships Sites
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory
- American Museum of Natural History
- University of Vermont
- University of Colorado, Boulder
- Northern Arizona University
- Sematech
- X-Ray Optical Systems
Where our Alumni Go to Graduate School
- Boston University
- Dartmouth College
- Duke University
- East Caroline University
- Hofstra University
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
- San Francisco State University
- Stanford University
- SUNY Polytechnic Institute Colleges of Nanoscale Science and Engineering
- Temple University
- University of Connecticut
- University of Maryland
- University of Pennsylvania
- University of Washington
Job Titles of Recent Graduates
- Chief Executive Officer
- Chief Financial Officer
- Engineer
- Medical Physicist
- Physician (MD)
- Physics Teacher
- Project Manager
- Quality Control Technician
- Research Assistant
- Science Writer
English Language Requirements
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