Department Office: 3438 Ingersoll Hall
Phone: 718.951.5418
Full-Time Faculty
Professor(s): Giovambattista, Nakarmi, Sandeman, Shum, Suarez, Tung
Associate Professor(s): Miyano
The study of physics provides a foundation in fundamental science and develops skill sets that are highly valued in virtually every profession. Physics emphasizes logical, analytical thinking applied to understanding basic natural phenomena and solving practical problems. It requires strong mathematical skills and the ability to reason quantitatively and qualitatively.
The Department of Physics at Brooklyn College offers degree programs that students may tailor to their individual needs and interests. The bachelor of science degree prepares students for admission to graduate school in physics or closely related fields, including astronomy, biophysics, medical physics, materials science, and engineering. Research opportunities for undergraduates are available both within the department and through summer programs that are run at laboratories, colleges, and universities throughout the United States. For students who do not intend to become research physicists, the bachelor of arts degree provides an attractive alternative. It does not require as many advanced courses and can be combined with other interests. The B.A. confers a competitive edge in professions such as business, finance, law, and medicine. The department also offers a bachelor of arts degree in adolescence education for physics teachers as well as a minor in physics.
Engineering Programs. The Department of Physics proudly hosts the Coordinated Engineering and Engineering Honors programs. In these programs, students complete their first two years of study at Brooklyn College towards a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical, computer, mechanical, chemical, biomolecular, and civil engineering. Provided they meet the requirements of the individual institutions, they then transfer to one of the coordinating engineering schools, which are New York University Tandon School of Engineering (NYU-Tandon) and the Engineering Science program at the College of Staten Island, or to a school of their choice to complete their engineering degrees. Students have also transferred to the Grove School of Engineering at City College, Stony Brook University, Binghamton University, University of Buffalo, Johns Hopkins University, Columbia University.
Physicists with advanced degrees generally work in universities, government laboratories, or industry. They are frequently engaged in some kind of basic or applied research.
Students who wish to pursue graduate studies may apply to the master's and doctoral degree programs offered by or in conjunction with this department.
Courses for reentering students
A student who has credit for courses in physics at Brooklyn College that are no longer offered and who wants to take additional courses in physics must consult a department counselor to determine which courses in the present numbering system are equivalent to those for which credit has already been earned.
Recommendations for prospective physics majors
Prospective physics majors should consult a department counselor prior to registering for the lower-freshman term about the recommended program of study. Depending on their objectives, students follow one of the sequences of study outlined below.
Coordinated Engineering and Engineering Honors Programs
Students interested in engineering should contact Professor Viraht Sahni by calling the office of the Department of Physics. For more information, see the “Coordinated Engineering” section of this Bulletin.
Graduate Studies
The Physics Department offers master of arts degree programs in physics and physics teacher (grades 7 through 12). Some courses may be creditable toward the CUNY doctoral degree. For information, students should consult the department’s deputy for graduate studies. A Graduate Bulletin may be obtained in the Office of Admissions.
Courses
Courses listed below are not counted toward the requirement of no fewer than 18 credits in advanced courses for majors in this department.
Honors courses
Students with superior records and the recommendation of a department faculty member may apply to the chairperson for permission to register for courses described below. Students may not register for more than six credits in honors courses in physics in one term.
Permission to register for honors courses is usually given only to superior students in their senior year.
The following inactive course(s) will only be offered if there is sufficient demand:
PHYS. 1010 Energy in a Technological Society
PHYS. 1020 Survey of the Universe
PHYS. 1060 A History of Ideas in Physics
PHYS. 3350 Electronics
PHYS. 3760 Topics in Nuclear Physics
PHYS. 3970 Techniques of Experimental Research
PHYS. 4950 Advanced Laboratory II