Mathematical Physics BS

Admission Criteria

Current UB students seeking admission to the Mathematical Physics BS will be added to the major upon request by completing the College of Arts and Sciences Major/Minor Change Request Form.

Course Requirements

Academic Requirements

Minimum GPA of 2.500 in MTH 141 , MTH 142  and MTH 241  to continue in and complete the major.

Program Honors

A student must excel in course work as well as complete a Senior Thesis.  The Senior Thesis is prepared under the supervision of a Department of Physics faculty member. Credit for this is obtained through PHY 497 . The thesis is reviewed by the student’s mentor and the Undergraduate Director. The thesis should be at least 20 pages long and the student must have completed at least one semester of PHY 497 . 

Students must also meet the remaining criteria outlined in the Academic Honors policy. Students who successfully complete the honors program and meet the criteria will have the appropriate notation on their official transcript.

Program Distinction

A student in this major is eligible for Program Distinction upon degree conferral if the criteria are met. Criteria are found under Academic Honors in the Policy and Procedure section of this Catalog. Program Distinction is noted on the official transcript.

Curricular Plan

A Curricular Plan provides a roadmap for completing this academic program and the UB Curriculum on time. Your actual plan may vary depending on point of entry to the university, course placement and/or waivers based on standardized test scores, earned alternative credit and/or college transfer credit.

YEAR 1

Fall Semester

• UB Seminar Credits: 3
   
• MTH 141LR - College Calculus I Credits: 4  OR
• MTH 153LR - Honors Calculus I Credits: 4  
   
• PHY 107LR - General Physics I Credits: 4   OR
• PHY 117LR - Honors Physics I Credits: 4  
   
• ENG 105LEC - Writing and Rhetoric Credits: 4  OR Pathway Credits: 3
  Total Credits: 14 or 15

Spring Semester

• MTH 142LR - College Calculus 2 Credits: 4  OR
• MTH 154LR - Honors Calculus 2 Credits: 4  
   
• PHY 108LR - General Physics II Credits: 4  OR
• PHY 118LR - Honors Physics II Credits: 4  
   
• PHY 158LAB - General Physics II Lab Credits: 1  
• ENG 105LEC - Writing and Rhetoric Credits: 4   OR Pathway Credits: 3
• Pathway Credits: 3
  Total Credits: 15 or 16

YEAR 2

Fall Semester

• MTH 241LR - College Calculus 3 Credits: 4  OR
• MTH 251LR - Honors Calculus 3 Credits: 4  
   
• MTH 306LR - Introduction to Differential Equations Credits: 4   OR
• MTH 326LR - Honors Diff Equations Credits: 4  
   
• PHY 208LEC - General Physics IV Credits: 3  
• Pathway Credits: 3
• Elective Credits: 1
  Total Credits: 15

Spring Semester

• PHY 207LR - General Physics III Credits: 4  
• MTH 309LR - Introductory Linear Algebra Credits: 4   OR
• MTH 323LR - Honors Linear Algebra Credits: 4 
   
• PHY 257LAB - General Physics III Lab Credits: 1  
• Pathway Credits: 3
• Pathway Credits: 3
  Total Credits: 15

YEAR 3

Fall Semester

• MTH 417LR - Survey of Multivariable Calculus Credits: 4  
• PHY 301LEC - Intermediate Mechanics I Credits: 3  
• PHY 401LEC - Quantum Mechanics I - Fundamentals Credits: 3  
• Communication Literacy 2 Credits: 3
• Pathway Credits: 3
• UBC 399MNT - UB Curriculum Capstone Credits: 1  
  Total Credits: 17

Spring Semester

• MTH 418LR - Survey of Partial Differential Equations Credits: 4  
• PHY 307LAB - Modern Physics Lab Credits: 2  
• PHY Elective Credits: 3
• Elective Credits: 3
• Elective Credits: 3
  Total Credits: 15

YEAR 4

Fall Semester

• MTH 311LR - Introduction to Higher Mathematics Credits: 4  
• PHY 405LEC - Thermal and Statistical Physics I Credits: 3  
• PHY 431LEC - Mathematical Physics I Credits: 3  
• Elective Credits: 2
• PHY 403LEC - Electricity and Magnetism I Credits: 3  
  Total Credits: 15

Spring Semester​

• MTH 425LR - Introduction to Complex Variables I Credits: 4   OR
• MTH 424LEC - Survey of Fourier Series Methods Credits: 3  
   
• MTH 419LR - Introduction to Abstract Algebra Credits: 4  OR
• MTH 420LR - Abstract Linear Algebra Credits: 4  
   
• PHY 408LAB - Advanced Laboratory Credits: 3   OR
• PHY 407LAB - Advanced Laboratory Credits: 3  (Fall)
• Elective Credits: 3
  Total Credits: 13 or 14

TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED: 120

Note: Some classes may count toward both a major and UB Curriculum requirement.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of all requirements, the student will have knowledge of:

• Students can identify basic/core laws of physics, describe the variables they contain, and relate them to observed natural phenomena.
• Students can derive analytic solutions to new or complex problems.
• Students can collect experimental data, analyze results and uncertainties quantitatively, present data graphically, and compare physical models with experimental results.
• Students become familiarized with contemporary areas of physics research and can implement modern research techniques, including computational methods.
• Students can present scientific results in the format of scientific journals with appropriate citation methods and present findings in conference-style talks.

(HEGIS: 19.02 PHYSICS-GEN-NO BIOPHYSCS, CIP: 40.0810 Theoretical and Mathematical Physics)