DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS

Undergraduate Department of Physics

COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES

Chair: Paul Eugenio; Associate Chair: Paul Cottle; Professors: Adams, Askew, Blessing, Boebinger, Bonesteel, Cao, Chiorescu, Collins, Cottle, Credé, Dobrosavljevic, Eugenio, Febres Cordero, Gao, Greene, Hill, Hoeflich, Manousakis, Marengo, Okui, Piekarewicz, Prosper, Reina, Riley, Sanchez, Tabor, Vafek, Van Winkle, Volya, Wiedenhoever, Xiong, Yang; Associate Professors: Almaraz-Calderon, Beekman, Changlani, Dobbs, Hsiao, Kolberg, Lind, Murphy, Suzuki, Tobioka, Yohay; Assistant Professors: Chen, Fossez, Lewandowski, Lu, Ni, Pershey, Spieker, Tripathi, Zhao; Research Professors: Amm, Balicas, Frawley, Engel, Myers, Popovic; Research Faculty I: Martinez, Ostrovidov, Wei; Research Faculty II: Graf, McGill, Song, Tang; Research Faculty III: Baby, Choi, Hannahs, Johnson, Park, A. Reyes, Smirnov, Tozer, Xin; Teaching Professor: Hori; Instructional Specialist III: B. Reyes; Professors Emeriti: Albright, Berg, Capstick, Duke, S. Hagopian, V. Hagopian, Kemper, Ng, Owens, Philpott, Rikvold, Roberts, Schlottmann, Skofronick

Florida State University's Department of Physics offers exciting programs and opportunities for students interested in learning physics. Our physics curriculum provides a solid foundation for future graduate work or immediate employment. There are many reasons students seek the challenges and rigors that come from making physics a part of their undergraduate studies. Those who choose physics find themselves in a field that both expands their abilities and provides them with an immense feeling of accomplishment. Perhaps the most important benefits gained from an education in physics are the confidence and the ability to tackle complex technical problems. As a result, physicists can contribute to many professions.

Physics is the foundation of all sciences and has been the pursuit of some of the greatest minds in history, including Aristotle, Galileo, Newton, Maxwell, Einstein, and Dirac. Their discoveries and quest for knowledge form the foundation of our physics program. This proud tradition and passion for inquiry has produced a modern professional community of physicists whose contributions are continually expanding and changing our society. Whether it is in the clean room building the next space telescope, creating and developing the World Wide Web, searching for the fundamental fabric of our universe, exploring safer and more reliable ways to diagnose and treat illnesses, or finding new and better ways to live, you will always find physicists on the frontier. So, if you enjoy mathematics and science and are ready for a challenge, you should make physics a part of your education.

The internationally recognized faculty includes many who have earned prestigious awards for their research and teaching. The faculty believe that the quality of teaching, at all levels, is enhanced by a strong research program. Undergraduates, graduate students, and post-doctoral fellows participate in all aspects of research in physics at Florida State University. In fact, most undergraduate physics majors participate in research projects, and many are co-authors on publications. This research includes strong programs in both experimental and theoretical studies in astrophysics and elementary particle, nuclear, condensed matter, and atomic and molecular physics. There are also many opportunities for interdisciplinary research, particularly at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory (NHMFL) and the Institute of Molecular Biophysics (IMB).

Experimental facilities include: a 9.5 MV Super FN Tandem Van de Graaff accelerator with superconducting post accelerator; the RESOLUT radioactive beam facility; a state-of-the-art gamma spectrometer array; electron spin resonance and electron double nuclear resonance spectrometers; liquid helium refrigerators; thin film preparation facilities including sputtering and laser ablation; ultrahigh vacuum instrumentation including surface analysis (LEED, Auger, optical) and molecular beam epitaxy; synthesis and characterization facilities for novel materials; X-ray diffractometers with various sample stages for high and low temperature studies, multi-sample analysis and small angle studies; scanning electron, tunneling, and optical microscopes with image analysis; SQUID and vibrating sample magnetometers; a helium atom surface scattering facility; and a modern astronomical observatory, including a 17-inch primary science-grade telescope housed in a 10-foot fiberglass dome. The NHMFL provides a modern infrastructure enabling research in magnetic fields, including the highest-powered DC fields in the world, mainly used for materials science research, and facilities providing the highest fields in the world for nuclear, ion cyclotron, and electron magnetic resonance spectrometers as well as magnetic resonance imaging. Experimental work in elementary particle physics is done at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory in Illinois and at the CERN laboratory in Geneva, Switzerland.

Computers are an integral part of all research programs in the department. The computational infrastructure is upgraded continuously to keep pace with advances in technology. In addition to using computers in research, students are expected to utilize numerical methods for problem solving in their course work.

Programs Offered

The Department of Physics offers programs leading to the following degrees: Bachelor of Science (BS), Master of Science (MS), and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). The department offers the following majors: Physics, Physics & Astrophysics, and Physical Science. The departmental course offerings include courses for non-science majors, for non-physical-science majors, for K–12 educators, and for physical science majors. Honors work is available.

Digital Literacy Requirement

Students must complete at least one course designated as meeting the Digital Literacy Requirement with a grade of “C–” or higher. Courses fulfilling the Digital Literacy Requirement must accomplish at least three of the following outcomes:

Evaluate and interpret the accuracy, credibility, and relevance of digital information
Evaluate and interpret digital data and their implications
Discuss the ways in which society and/or culture interact with digital technology
Discuss digital technology trends and their professional implications
Demonstrate the ability to use digital technology effectively
Demonstrate the knowledge to use digital technology safely and ethically
Each academic major has determined the courses that fulfill the Digital Literacy requirement for that major. Students should contact their major department(s) to determine which courses will fulfill their Digital Literacy requirement.

Undergraduate majors in Physics and Physics & Astrophysics satisfy this requirement by earning a grade of “C–” or higher in PHZ 1140C. Undergraduate majors in Physical Science satisfy this requirement by earning a grade of “C–” or higher in COP 3014, COP 3363, ISC 3313, or PHZ 1140C.

State of Florida Common Program Prerequisites for Physics

The Florida Virtual Campus (FLVC) houses the statewide, internet-based catalog of distance learning courses, degree programs, and resources offered by Florida's public colleges and universities, and they have developed operational procedures and technical guidelines for the catalog that all institutions must follow. The statute governing this policy can be reviewed by visiting https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2021/1006.73.

FLVC has identified common program prerequisites for the degree program in Physics. To obtain the most up-to-date, state-approved prerequisites for this degree, visit: https://cpm.flvc.org/programs/7/182.

Specific prerequisites are required for admission into the upper-division program and must be completed by the student at either a community college or a state university prior to being admitted to this program. Students may be admitted into the University without completing the prerequisites but may not be admitted into the program.

Requirements

Note: The Physics, Physics & Astrophysics, and Physical Science programs do not require any chemistry courses; transfer students will be admitted without having taken them. Please review all college-wide degree requirements summarized on the Undergraduate Review page of the College of Arts & Sciences chapter. Outlines of undergraduate programs that will meet all departmental and University requirements are available at https://www.academic-guide.fsu.edu.

Physical Science majors may take any university course satisfying the University communication requirement. The University digital literacy requirement is satisfied for Physics and Physics & Astrophysics majors by taking PHZ 1140C; it is satisfied for Physical Science majors by taking COP 3014, COP 3363, ISC 3313, or PHZ 1140C.

Policy on Prerequisites

All prerequisite courses must be passed with a grade of “C–” or better.

Physics Major

A Physics major is required to take the following core courses: Discovering Physics (PHY 1090), General Physics A (PHY 2048C), General Physics B (PHY 2049C), Intermediate Modern Physics (PHY 3101), Physics Problem Solving (PHY 3045), Mathematical Physics I (PHZ 3113), Mechanics I (PHY 3221), Intermediate Laboratory (PHY 3802L), Electricity and Magnetism I (PHY 4323), Thermal and Statistical Physics (PHY 4513), Quantum Theory of Matter A (PHY 4604), and Advanced Laboratory (PHY 4822Lr).
At least four of the following courses, including at least one asterisked () course: Introduction to Astrophysics (AST 4211), Fluid and Plasma Physics (PHZ 4530), Optics (PHY 3424), Mechanics II (PHY 4222), Electricity and Magnetism II (PHY 4324), Quantum Theory of Matter B (PHY 4605), Math Physics II (PHZ 4117), Phenomena in Condensed Matter Physics (PHZ 3400), Particle and Nuclear Physics (PHZ 4390), and *Special and General Relativity (PHZ 4601).
The following computational course: Computational Physics Lab (PHZ 1140C).
The following mathematics classes: Calculus with Analytic Geometry I (MAC 2311), Calculus with Analytic Geometry II (MAC 2312), Calculus with Analytic Geometry III (MAC 2313), and Ordinary Differential Equations (MAP 2302) or Engineering Mathematics I (MAP 3305).
Students who are planning to conduct graduate work in physics are strongly advised to include Quantum Theory of Matter B (PHY 4605), Mechanics II (PHY 4222), Math Physics II (PHZ 4117), and Electricity and Magnetism II (PHY 4324) in their programs.
An Honors Thesis or Senior Thesis (minimum of 6 credit hours) may be substituted for the Advanced Lab (PHY 4822Lr).
No physics or math course with a grade below “C–” may be used to satisfy the above requirements. A student who has received more than two unsatisfactory grades (U, F, D–, D, D+) in courses required for the major, excluding the Term 1–4 State Common Prerequisites milestone courses, taken after enrolling at FSU, will not be permitted to graduate with this major. Required courses at this level consist of the following: MAP 2302/MAP 3305, PHY 1090, PHY 3045, PHY 3101, PHY 3221, PHY 3802L, PHY 4323, PHY 4513, PHY 4604, PHY 4822Lr, PHZ 3113, PHZ 1140C.

The required mathematics courses for the Physics program constitute a minor in mathematics, but a student who so desires may take an additional approved minor.

In addition to satisfying the above requirements, students must satisfy the general requirements of both the College of Arts and Sciences and the University.

Physics & Astrophysics Major

A Physics & Astrophysics major is required to take the following core courses: Discovering Physics (PHY 1090), General Physics A (PHY 2048C), General Physics B (PHY 2049C), Intermediate Modern Physics (PHY 3101), Physics Problem Solving (PHY 3045), Mathematical Physics I (PHZ 3113), Mechanics I (PHY 3221), Electricity and Magnetism I (PHY 4323), Thermal and Statistical Physics (PHY 4513), Quantum Theory of Matter A (PHY 4604), Astrophysics Laboratory (AST 3721L) or Intermediate Laboratory (PHY 3802L), Introduction to Astrophysics (AST 4211), Extragalactic Astronomy (AST 4419), and Observational Techniques in Astrophysics (AST 4722).
At least two of the following courses: Physics of Stars (AST 4217), Fluid and Plasma Physics (PHZ 4530), Cosmology and Structure Formation (AST 4414), Particle and Nuclear Physics (PHZ 4390), Special and General Relativity (PHZ 4601), and Nuclear Astrophysics (PHZ 4316).
The following computational course: Computational Physics Laboratory (PHZ 1140C).
The following mathematics classes: Calculus with Analytic Geometry I (MAC 2311), Calculus with Analytic Geometry II (MAC 2312), Calculus with Analytic Geometry III (MAC 2313), and Ordinary Differential Equations (MAP 2302) or Engineering Mathematics I (MAP 3305).
Students who are planning to conduct graduate work in astrophysics are strongly advised to include Mechanics II (PHY 4222), Math Physics II (PHZ 4117), Quantum Theory of Matter B (PHY 4605), and Electricity and Magnetism II (PHY 4324) in their programs.
No physics or math course with a grade below “C–” may be used to satisfy the above requirements. A student who has received more than two unsatisfactory grades (U, F, D–, D, D+) in courses required for the major, excluding the Term 1–4 State Common Prerequisites milestone courses, taken after enrolling at FSU, will not be permitted to graduate with this major. Required courses at this level consist of the following: AST 3721L or PHY 3802L, AST 4211, AST 4419, AST 4722, MAP 2302/MAP 3305, PHY 1090, PHY 3045, PHY 3101, PHY 3221, PHY 4323, PHY 4513, PHY 4604, PHZ 3113, PHZ 1140C.

The required mathematics courses for the Physics & Astrophysics program constitute a minor in mathematics, but a student who so desires may take an additional approved minor.

In addition to satisfying the above requirements, students must satisfy the general requirements of both the College of Arts and Sciences and the University.

Physical Science Major

The Physical Science program is designed to provide students with opportunities to explore the natural and technological worlds broadly, from the Earth and space sciences to modern physics to computer science and mathematics.

A Physical Science major is required to take the following core courses: General Physics A (PHY 2048C), General Physics B (PHY 2049C), and Intermediate Modern Physics (PHY 3101).
One of the following computational courses: Programming I (COP 3014), Introduction to Programming in C++ for Majors (COP 3363), Computational Physics Lab (PHZ 1140C), or Introduction to Scientific Computing (ISC 3313).
The following mathematics courses: Calculus with Analytic Geometry I (MAC 2311), Calculus with Analytic Geometry II (MAC 2312), and Calculus with Analytic Geometry III (MAC 2313).
At least eleven courses (at least 35 credit hours): General Chemistry I and Lab (CHM 1045/1045L), General Chemistry II and Lab (CHM 1046/1046L), Ordinary Differential Equations (MAP 2302) or Engineering Math I (MAP 3305), Applied Linear Algebra I (MAS 3105), Introduction to Astrophysics (AST 4211), Physics Problem Solving (PHY 3045), Mechanics I (PHY 3221), Optics (PHY 3424), Intermediate Laboratory (PHY 3802L) or Astrophysics Laboratory (AST 3721L), Mathematical Physics I (PHZ 3113), Phenomena in Condensed Matter Physics (PHZ 3400), Particle and Nuclear Physics (PHZ 4390), Survey of Organic Chemistry and Lab (CHM 2200 and 2200L) or Organic Chemistry I (CHM 2210), Introduction to Analytical Chemistry and Lab (CHM 3120 and 3120L), General Physical Chemistry (CHM 3400), Programming I (COP 3014, unless used to satisfy the computer skills requirement), Object Oriented Programming (COP 3330), Introduction to Unix (COP 3353), Physical Geology (GLY 2010C), History of Earth Systems (ESC 3100C), Mineralogy and Crystallography (GLY 3200C), Physical Climatology (MET 3101), General Meteorology (MET 2700), Introduction to Atmospheric Dynamics (MET 3300).

Other upper-division courses in physics, chemistry, computer science, engineering, geology, meteorology, and mathematics may also be accepted. Acceptable courses are those intended for majors within the above departments; courses designated as “for non-majors” and courses intended for students outside of these majors will not be accepted. Please speak with a Physics advisor before enrolling to see if particular courses satisfy this requirement. Courses required for a minor or an additional major will not be counted toward satisfying this requirement.

No physics, chemistry, computer science, engineering, geology, meteorology, math or scientific computing course with a grade below “C–” may be used to satisfy the above requirements.

The required mathematics courses for the Physical Science program constitute a minor in mathematics, but a student who so desires may take an additional approved minor.

In addition to satisfying the above requirements, students must satisfy the general requirements of both the College of Arts and Sciences and the University.

Minor

The required mathematics courses for the Physics, Physics & Astrophysics, and Physical Science programs constitute a minor in mathematics, but a student who so desires may take an additional approved minor.

Minor in Physics

To obtain a minor in physics, a student is required to take General Physics A (PHY 2048C), General Physics B (PHY 2049C), and Intermediate Modern Physics (PHY 3101). Grades below “C–” will not be accepted for a minor.

Minor in Biomedical Physics

The Physics Department offers a minor in Biomedical Physics designed for students preparing for graduate studies in the biological sciences, for medical school, or for medical professions such as physical therapy. Students are required to take either General Physics A and B (PHY 2048C and PHY 2049C) or College Physics A and B (PHY 2053C and PHY 2054C), and Biomedical Physics I and II (PHZ 4702 and PHZ 4703). Grades below “C–” will not be accepted for a minor.

Minor in Astrophysics

To obtain a minor in astrophysics, a student is required to take General Physics A (PHY 2048C), General Physics B (PHY 2049C), and Introduction to Astrophysics (AST 4211). Grades below “C–” will not be accepted for a minor.

Honors in the Major

The Department of Physics offers a program in Honors in the Major to encourage talented juniors and seniors to undertake independent research as part of the undergraduate experience. For requirements and other information, see the “Discipline-Specific Honor Societies” tab of the Honors chapter.