Computational Physics

Department of Computer Science and Engineering
College of Arts and Sciences, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
226 Bell Hall
North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260-2000
(716) 645-3180
Fax: (716) 645-3464
Web: Computer Science and Engineering

Department of Physics
College of Arts and Sciences
239 Fronczak Hall
North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260-1500
(716) 645-2017
Fax: (716) 645-2507
Web: Physics
Michael G. Fuda (Physics), Cochair of Program
E-mail: fuda@buffalo.edu
Peter D. Scott (Computer Science & Engineering), Cochair of Program
E-mail: peter@eng.buffalo.edu

The Program
This program is offered jointly by the Department of Physics and the Department of Computer Science and Engineering. This degree makes it possible to pursue a number of career options. Graduates can pursue a research career in the traditional areas of physics; for example, in condensed matter physics or particle physics, but with a strong emphasis on computation. Graduates who pursue careers in physics education will find that they are well prepared to use computers in the classroom and the teaching laboratory, and to develop educational software. Graduates can also play an important role in the development of virtual universities and the technology needed to facilitate distance learning. This degree also makes it possible to pursue employment in firms that develop scientific software, as well as computer games. Wall Street employers are interested in people with a background in computational physics.

Advisement
For general information about this program, students should consult with the undergraduate director of physics, Professor Michael G. Fuda, 333 Fronczak Hall, (716) 645-3043, e-mail: fuda@buffalo.edu; or the undergraduate director for computer science and engineering, Professor Peter D. Scott, 136 Bell Hall, (716) 645-3180, ext. 137, e-mail: peter@eng.buffalo.edu.

Transfer Policy
Transfer students from accredited institutions will be accepted into this program if they have completed with a minimum GPA of 2.5 in courses equivalent to CSE115-116, MTH141-142, and PHY107-108/158.

Note: Course descriptions may be found in the computer science section on page 79 and in the physics section on page 198.

Computational Physics - B.S.

Acceptance Criteria
Minimum GPA of 2.5 in CSE115-116, MTH141-142, and PHY107-108/158

Required Courses
CSE115 Introduction to Computer Science for Majors I
CSE116 Introduction to Computer Science for Majors II
CSE/MTH191 Introduction to Discrete Mathematics
CSE250 Algorithms and Data Structures
CSE305 Introduction to Programming Languages
CSE/MTH437 Introduction to Numerical Analysis I or PHY410 Computational Physics I
CSE/MTH438 Introduction to Numerical Analysis II or PHY411 Computational Physics II
CSE442 Software Engineering
MTH141 College Calculus I
MTH142 College Calculus II
MTH241 College Calculus III
MTH306 Introduction to Differential Equations
MTH309 Introductory Linear Algebra
PHY107 General Physics I or PHY117 Honors Physics I
PHY108 General Physics II or PHY118 Honors Physics II
PHY158 General Physics II Lab
PHY207 General Physics III or PHY217 Honors Physics III
PHY207 General Physics III Lab
PHY208 General Physics IV
PHY301 Intermediate Mechanics I
PHY307 Modern Physics Lab
PHY401 Modern Physics I
PHY403 Electricity and magnetism I
PHY405 Thermal and Statistical Physics I
PHY407 Advanced Laboratory or PHY408 Advanced Laboratory
One calculus-based probability/statistics course elective (e.g., EAS305 Applied Probability or MTH411 Probability Theory)

See Baccalaureate Degree Requirements (page 254) for general education and remaining university requirements.

Recommended Sequence of Major Requirements

First Year
Fall-CSE115, MTH141
Spring-CSE116, MTH142; PHY107 or PHY117

Second Year
Fall-CSE/MTH191, MTH241; PHY108 or PHY118; PHY158, PHY208, PHY307
Spring-CSE250, MTH306; PHY207 or PHY217; PHY207 Lab

Third Year
Fall-CSE305, PHY301, PHY401
Spring-CSE442, MTH309; PHY407 or PHY408

Fourth Year
Fall-PHY403, PHY405; CSE/MTH437 or PHY410
Spring-CSE/MTH438 or PHY411; one calculus-based probability/statistics course elective ( e.g., EAS305 or MTH411)

Summary
Total required credit hours in computer science, mathematics, and physics - 87-90
General education courses and electives - 30-33
Total required credit hours - 120

Computational Physics/Physics - B.S./M.S.

Acceptance Criteria
Minimum GPA of 3.0 in CSE115-116, CSE/MTH191, MTH141-142, MTH241, PHY107-108/158, PHY207/Lab

Required Courses
CSE115 Introduction to Computer Science for Majors I
CSE116 Introduction to Computer Science for Majors II
CSE/MTH191 Introduction to Discrete Mathematics
CSE250 Algorithms and Data Structures
CSE305 Introduction to Programming Languages
CSE442 Software Engineering
MTH141 College Calculus I
MTH142 College Calculus II
MTH241 College Calculus III
MTH306 Introduction to Differential Equations
MTH309 Introductory Linear Algebra
PHY107 General Physics I or PHY117 Honors Physics I
PHY108 General Physics II or PHY118 Honors Physics II
PHY158 General Physics II Lab
PHY207 General Physics III or PHY217 Honors Physics III
PHY207 General Physics III Lab
PHY208 General Physics IV
PHY301 Intermediate Mechanics I
PHY307 Modern Physics Lab
PHY401 Modern Physics I
PHY403 Electricity and Magnetism I
PHY405 Thermal and Statistical Physics I
PHY505 Computational Physics I
PHY506 Computational Physics II
PHY515 High Performance Scientific Computing I
PHY516 High Performance Scientific Computing II
PHY551 or PHY552 Graduate Lab
One calculus-based probability/statistics course elective (e.g., EAS305 Applied Probability or MTH411 Probability Theory)
15 credit hours of PHY500 (electives and M.S. thesis)

See Baccalaureate Degree Requirements (page 254) for general education and remaining university requirements.

Recommended Sequence of Major Requirements

First Year
Fall-CSE115, MTH141
Spring-CSE116, MTH142; PHY107 or PHY117

Second Year
Fall-CSE/MTH191, MTH241; PHY108 or PHY118; PHY158, PHY208, PHY307
Spring-CSE250, MTH306; PHY207 or PHY217; PHY207 Lab

Third Year
Fall-CSE305, PHY301, PHY401
Spring-MTH309; one calculus-based probability/statistics course elective (e.g., EAS305 or MTH411)

Fourth Year
Fall-CSE442, PHY403, PHY405, PHY505
Spring-PHY506, PHY552

Fifth Year
Fall-PHY515, two PHY500 electives
Spring-PHY516, two PHY500 electives

Summary
Total required credit hours in computer science, mathematics, and physics - 78
General education courses and electives - 32
Graduate credit hours - 30
Total required credit hours - 140

Refer to the graduate school's policies and procedures manual for master's candidates requirements.

Academic Affairs

Phone: (716) 645-6003

Fax: (716) 645-2549

Last updated: Thursday, 09-Dec-2004 15:21:17 EST