Overview of the Physics Curriculum at SUNY Cortland
Your study of physics will vary somewhat depending on which specific program (PHY, PEN, APH, or APM) you select, but there is a common core of classes, described below (assuming a 4-year plan).
Introductory physics: You will start in the fall of your freshman with PHY 201, which examines Newtonian mechanics and is the foundational course for all subsequent physics classes. The introductory sequence (201, 202, 203) is calculus-based and covers mechanics, electricity and magnetism, electronics, optics, waves, and thermodynamics.
Intermediate physics: Following the intro sequence, you will begin taking upper-division physics courses. The courses in the intermediate level are Intermediate Lab (PHY 357), Scientific Programming (PHY 386), Modern Physics (currently PHY 410), and Electronics (currently PHY 440).
Advanced physics: The 400-level courses we offer span a range of topics, from foundational courses like Classical Mechanics (PHY 420, which is similar to PHY 201 but at a deeper level) to elective courses like General Relativity (PHY 445) and Quantum Mechanics (PHY 475).
Chemistry: Our program requires two semesters of introductory chemistry with lab.
Mathematics: Ideally, you will take Calculus I (MAT 135) along with PHY 201 in your first semester, but we work with students who are not quite ready for calculus and prefer to take pre-calculus as a first course. The full mathematics sequence requires students to take 3 semesters of calculus (MAT 135, MAT 236, and MAT 237), one semester of linear algebra (MAT 272), and for all physics majors except for APH, one semester of differential equations (MAT 336). Many of our PHY majors double-major since a second major in Mathematics requires only 4 additional classes, and those that don't do that often get a minor in Mathematics with one additional class.