About the Program

The total physics program at Kent State is small enough to assure individualized attention to each student, yet large enough to offer the full spectrum of courses and opportunities characterizing a graduate research institution. Advanced undergraduate physics majors work alongside doctoral-level graduate students and faculty researchers of international reputation in such fields as condensed matter physics and nuclear physics. Research grant support and recent state excellence grants have further enhanced Kent State University’s Liquid Crystal Institute® and its Center for Nuclear Research, in addition to supporting an initiative in high-temperature superconductivity.

Description of Programs

The undergraduate physics programs are built around core courses that provide solid preparation in the fundamentals of math and physics but still allow elective selections. Several degree programs are offered.

Bachelor of Science

This professionally oriented degree serves as preparation either for graduate work in physics or for entrance into positions in a variety of industries and government service. In order to earn this degree, students must complete 59 semester hours of core physics, chemistry and mathematics courses, plus an additional 26 hours from one of the six options below:

Physics Concentration
General Physics Option
This general option is the primary track toward graduate work in physics, astronomy, astrophysics, engineering, materials science and other closely related fields.

Applied Physics Option
This option emphasizes applications of physics, particularly in modern optics, including electro-optic devices and lasers.
Physics INTERDISCIPLINARY Concentration
Chemistry Option
This option is designed for students with a strong interest in both physics and chemistry who may wish to prepare for graduate study in chemical physics or for work in a high-technology materials-related research and development laboratory. This program satisfies requirements for a minor in chemistry.

Biological Sciences Option
This option is designed for students with a strong interest in both physics and biological sciences, who may wish to prepare for graduate study in biophysics or for work in a biotechnology company. This program satisfies requirements for a minor in biological sciences.

Applied Mathematics and Computer Science Option
The emphasis of this option is on preparing physics majors to become computer professionals in scientifically oriented organizations. This program satisfies requirements for both a minor in applied mathematics and a minor in computer science.

Mathematics Option
Physics majors who wish to become part of a technical team in a research and development laboratory should consider the mathematics option. This program satisfies requirements for a minor in mathematics.

Bachelor of Arts
Such varied fields as secondary education, patent law or interdisciplinary science can be approached with the Bachelor of Arts degree. A large proportion of elective courses allows the student to complete a second major in such fields as biology, botany, chemistry, English, geography, geology, mathematics, philosophy, political science or psychology in preparation for an interdisciplinary career. It is also possible to enter graduate work in physics after completing this program.

 

Special Departmental Programs

Liquid Crystal Institute®
Some physics faculty are part of Kent State University’s Liquid Crystal Institute®, the only one of its kind devoted exclusively to research on the liquid crystalline state of matter. The research program is interdisciplinary and involves some 50 researchers who study the basic properties of liquid crystals and their use in displays and optical devices. Physics faculty also address other systems within the wider field of complex fluids, including films, foams and biological systems. Experimental, theoretical and computational research complement each other in all of these fields.

Center for Nuclear Research
Nuclear physics research at Kent State University is coordinated through the Department of Physics Center for Nuclear Research. Two main thrusts are studies of the quark-gluon basis of nuclear particles and studies of nuclear matter at high temperature and density where a quark-gluon plasma may form. This is an excellent environment for the training of young physicists in experimental, theoretical and computational techniques.

High Temperature Superconductivity and Low-Temperature Physics
Theoretical and experimental studies of the new "high-temperature" superconductors and experimental studies approaching absolute zero provide other forefront areas of research in which undergraduates may become involved through individual investigations or senior honors projects.

Planetarium
The physics building houses the Planetarium, which provides public shows, shows for special groups and presentations for undergraduate classes.

Kent State/NASA Telescope
A 12-inch telescope is available for public observing on clear Friday evenings. The telescope is operated by the Department of Physics and the College of Education, Health and Human Services. It is housed in an observatory located on campus near the WKSU-FM Broadcast Center.

Society of Physics Students
Social and intellectual activity is provided by the Society of Physics Students, a professional association designed for students. Typically meetings are held weekly with refreshments provided by the department of physics. The physics department also provides physics students with a computer room and a spacious study room.

Scholarship Awards

A four-year renewable Honors Scholarship in physics is awarded annually to one or two entering freshman physics majors. Other awards include the John Wiley Award for outstanding performance in introductory physics and the Addison Wesley Award for the outstanding graduating physics major.