Mathematics & Physics, B.S.
Learn more about the Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Physics.
The Bachelor of Science in Mathematics & Physics, a program administered jointly between the Mathematics and Physics departments, is an interdisciplinary program providing a foundation in physical sciences with a strong emphasis on the mathematical techniques needed for analysis and modeling. It prepares the student for science or analysis careers which use these mathematical tools along with problem-solving skills, as well as for graduate studies in either mathematics or physics.
Undergraduate Contact Information:
Department of Physics
Dr. James Napolitano, Chair
Science Education and Research Center, Room 406
215-204-1638
Dr. Bernd Surrow, Vice Chair
Science Education and Research Center, Room 420
215-204-1638
Dr. Zbigniew Dziembowski, Faculty Advisor
Science Education and Research Center, Room 412
215-204-7639
zbig.dziembowski@temple.edu
Department of Mathematics
Dr. Irina Mitrea, Chair
Wachman Hall, Room 638
215-204-7841
Dr. Boris Datskovsky, Director of Advising and Coordinated Courses
Wachman Hall, Room 632
215-204-7847
mathadvising@temple.edu
Dr. Maria E. Lorenz, Director of Undergraduate Studies
Wachman Hall, Room 610
215-204-7852
mathadvising@temple.edu
Bachelor of Science
Summary of Requirements for the Degree
- University Requirements (123 total s.h.)
- Students must meet all University requirements including those listed below.
- All Temple students must take a minimum of two writing-intensive courses at Temple as part of their major. The specific writing-intensive course options for this major are:
Course List Code Title Credit Hours MATH 3098 Modern Algebra 3 MATH 4096 Senior Problem Solving 3 PHYS 2796 Introduction to Modern Physics 4 PHYS 4796 Experimental Physics 3 - Students must complete the General Education (GenEd) requirements.
- See the General Education section of the Undergraduate Bulletin for the GenEd curriculum.
- Students who complete CST majors receive a waiver for 2 Science & Technology (GS) and 1 Quantitative Literacy (GQ) GenEd courses.
- Students must satisfy general Temple University residency requirements.
- College Requirements
- 45 Upper Level (2000+) credits within the College of Science & Technology (CST), the College of Liberal Arts (CLA), or the College of Engineering (ENG).
- 90 credits within the College of Science & Technology (CST), the College of Liberal Arts (CLA), or the College of Engineering (ENG).
- All students in the College of Science & Technology (CST) are required to take a 1 credit first year seminar. SCTC 1001 CST First Year Seminar is the appropriate course option for every entering first year CST major. Transfer students should use SCTC 2001 CST Transfer Seminar to fulfill this requirement. Other courses that fulfill this requirement may be found on the CST College Requirements page.
- Major Requirements for Bachelor of Science (76 s.h.)
At least 10 courses required for the major must be completed at Temple. At least 6 Math and 5 Physics courses must be completed at Temple.Course List Code Title Credit Hours Mathematics Courses MATH 1041 Calculus I 4 or MATH 1941 Honors Calculus I MATH 1042 Calculus II 4 or MATH 1942 Honors Calculus II MATH 2043 Calculus III 4 or MATH 2943 Honors Calculus III MATH 2045 Differential Equations with Linear Algebra (F) 4 MATH 2111 Basic Concepts of Math 3 MATH 3031 Probability Theory I 3 MATH 3051 Theoretical Linear Algebra (S) 4 MATH 3098 Modern Algebra (F) 3 MATH 3141 Advanced Calculus I (F) 3 MATH 3142 Advanced Calculus II (S) 3 MATH 4051 Complex Analysis (F) 3 Physics Courses Select one of the following: 4 Elementary Classical Physics I Honors Elementary Classical Physics I (F) General Physics I Honors General Physics I (F) Select one of the following: 4 Elementary Classical Physics II Honors Elementary Classical Physics II (S) General Physics II Honors General Physics II (S) PHYS 2101 Classical Mechanics (S) 3 PHYS 2502 Mathematical Physics (S) 4 PHYS 2796 Introduction to Modern Physics (S) 4 PHYS 3101 Analytical Mechanics (F) 3 PHYS 3301 Electricity and Magnetism (F) 4 PHYS 3302 Classical Electromagnetism (S) 3 PHYS 3701 Introduction to Quantum Mechanics I (S) 3 PHYS 4101 Thermal Physics (F) 3 Capstone Course MATH 4096 Senior Problem Solving 3 or PHYS 4796 Experimental Physics Total Credit Hours 76 Course List Code Title Credit Hours (F) - Fall only course (S) - Spring only course
Calculation of Major GPA
Courses listed under the major requirements for the degree will be included in the calculation of the major GPA. Courses that could not apply toward the major as an elective or required course would not be counted in the calculation of the major GPA. This would include MATH 1022, for example.
Distinction in Major
To graduate with Distinction in Mathematics & Physics, a student should meet the following requirements:
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Students must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.50 or better.
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Students must have a GPA of 3.50 or better in their Physics courses.
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Students must have a GPA of 3.50 or better in their Mathematics courses.
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Students must have a GPA of 3.50 or higher in the following Mathematics courses:
Course List Code Title Credit Hours MATH 3141 Advanced Calculus I 3 MATH 3142 Advanced Calculus II 3 MATH 3098 Modern Algebra 3 MATH 4051 Complex Analysis 3 Any other 4000-level course other than individual study -
Students must carry out an independent study, undergraduate research or undergraduate thesis project. Consult the undergraduate Physics advisor for more details.
Suggested Academic Plan
Bachelor of Science in Mathematics & Physics
Requirements for New Students starting in the 2022-2023 Academic Year
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| MATH 1041 or 1941 | Calculus I | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Elementary Classical Physics I | ||
| Honors Elementary Classical Physics I (F) | ||
| General Physics I | ||
| Honors General Physics I (F) | ||
| SCTC 1001 | CST First Year Seminar | 1 |
| ENG 0802, 0812, or 0902 | Analytical Reading and Writing [GW] | 4 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Term Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| MATH 1042 or 1942 | Calculus II | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Elementary Classical Physics II | ||
| Honors Elementary Classical Physics II (S) | ||
| General Physics II | ||
| Honors General Physics II (S) | ||
| IH 0851 or 0951 | Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY] | 3 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Elective | 1 | |
| Term Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| MATH 2043 or 2943 | Calculus III | 4 |
| MATH 2111 | Basic Concepts of Math | 3 |
| MATH 2045 | Differential Equations with Linear Algebra (F) | 4 |
| IH 0852 or 0952 | Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ] | 3 |
| Elective | 1 | |
| Term Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| PHYS 2502 | Mathematical Physics (S) | 4 |
| PHYS 2796 | Introduction to Modern Physics [WI] (S) | 4 |
| MATH 3051 | Theoretical Linear Algebra (S) | 4 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Term Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| MATH 3031 | Probability Theory I | 3 |
| MATH 3141 | Advanced Calculus I (F) | 3 |
| PHYS 3301 | Electricity and Magnetism (F) | 4 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Term Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| MATH 3142 | Advanced Calculus II (S) | 3 |
| PHYS 2101 | Classical Mechanics (S) | 3 |
| PHYS 3701 | Introduction to Quantum Mechanics I (S) | 3 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3-4 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 1-0 | |
| Term Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| MATH 3098 | Modern Algebra [WI] (F) | 3 |
| MATH 4051 | Complex Analysis (F) | 3 |
| PHYS 3101 | Analytical Mechanics (F) | 3 |
| PHYS 4101 | Thermal Physics (F) | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Term Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| MATH 4096 or PHYS 4796 | Senior Problem Solving [WI] | 3 |
| PHYS 3302 | Classical Electromagnetism (S) | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Term Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Total Credit Hours: | 123 | |
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| (F) - Fall only course. | ||
| (S) - Spring only course. | ||