Applied Computational Physics Program

The Applied Computational Physics degree program provides a more broad, balanced and flexible education than a traditional physics major. Combining computational elements alongside basic physical principles creates a mindset for modeling realistic systems. The course of study combines applied physics and high-performance computing to show complex laws of nature, physics methods and computational techniques within the context and application of different fields.

Graduates will be well equipped with a solid platform in physics, computing and mathematics, as well as valuable skills in complex problem-solving and teamwork. This will position them to fulfill the growing need for researchers, educators, and information professionals in a wide variety of fields: including engineering areas such as aerospace, applied mathematics and computer science, physical chemistry, finance, biomedicine and environmental science, as well as research in academic, industrial or national laboratories.

Admissions Criteria

Students applying for admission must meet the college standards for admission into a baccalaureate program. High school coursework in physics will be helpful but is not required. Students who do not have the mathematics background required to enroll in MAT 1475 (Calculus I) but who meet other admission requirements can use the program elective credits to complete the pre-requisite courses.

Students transferring to the Applied Computational Physics program must have:

• A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher
• At least one semester of college-level English composition
• At least one semester of calculus (i.e. a course equivalent to MAT 1475)

Transfer students lacking any of these criteria must seek the approval of the Program Director. College coursework in physics will be useful for applicants but is not required for admission.

The program’s curriculum is designed for students to achieve the following learning outcomes:

• The ability to clearly communicate complex scientific ideas both verbally and in written form
• An appreciation of how the scientific method is built upon testable hypotheses and experimental evidence
• A concrete foundation in basic physics, including mechanics, electromagnetism, quantum mechanics and thermodynamics
• The ability to develop a set of mathematical, problem-solving, and computer programming skills
• The ability to model and simulate a large number of different types of physical systems and formulate predictions using semi-analytical and computational techniques and data analysis
• An awareness of the underlying assumptions and limitations of various approximation schemes and certain computational algorithms
• The ability to identify and apply research ethics and unbiased assessment in gathering and reporting scientific data and in the analyses of results of modeling and simulations
• An awareness of the ethical, societal, legal and other personal aspects of being a professional.

Minor in Physics

The Minor in Physics requires the completion of four courses in Physics: two required courses and a choice of two additional courses. It is open to all students, and particularly suited for students enrolled in Bachelor Degrees in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering.

Required courses:

The General Physics (Calculus-Based) sequence PHYS 1441-1442, which provides the background required for a basic understanding of classical phenomena prior to the revolutionary development of the 20th century. Additional courses: The two additional courses can be chosen from the list of the advanced physics classes (level 2000 or above) offered at City Tech. They can be selected according to the specific interests and curricula of studies of each student. The purpose of these last two courses is to bridge the gap between a basic understanding of classic physical phenomena and recent advances in Physics coming from the development of the last century, such as relativity or quantum mechanics, as well as emerging technologies and applications, such as medical imaging or quantum computing.

Degree Requirements:

Mandatory Courses

• PHYS 1441 General Physics I: Calculus Based (5 cr)
• PHYS 1442 General Physics I: Calculus Based (5 cr)

Two additional courses at the 2000 level or above

• PHYS 2443 (or PHYS 2443ID) Modern Physics (4 cr)
• PHYS 2603 Principles of Medical Imaging (3 cr)
• PHYS 2605 Introduction to Laser Physics and Photonics (4 cr)
• PHYS 2607 Introduction to Quantum Mechanics (3 cr)
• PHYS 2609 Introduction to Quantum Computing (4 cr)
• PHYS 3100 Classical Mechanics (4 cr)
• PHYS 3200 Electricity and Magnetism (4 cr)
• PHYS 3600ID (or PHYS 3600ID) Machine Learning for Physics and Astronomy (3 cr)
• PHYS 4100 Computational Methods (4 cr)
• PHYS 4150 Computational Methods Laboratory (2 cr)

Total Credits Required 16-18