Bachelor of Science in Applied Physics
Overview
Physics is the foundation of all natural sciences, engineering, and technology. The BS in Applied Physics will prepare students to work on forefront ideas in science and technology. Applied physics is directed to real-life application and intended for technological and practical use. It is a bridge between physics and other fields like medicine, engineering, astronomy, chemistry, biology, and environmental sciences.
LAU is unique at its student centeredness. Physics classes are designed to nurture active and experiential learning while using the latest technology and lab equipment. Students take undergraduate physics courses in classical mechanics, electricity and magnetism, thermodynamics, modern physics, quantum mechanics, statistical mechanics, and solid-state physics.
Research is at the core of LAU professional life. Students at the undergraduate level are encouraged to work with faculty on a variety of research topics, like nanotechnology, material science, astronomy, and other more interdisciplinary topics.
With the discipline and training that goes with a physics degree, students will be able to follow various career paths, such as:
- Graduate school (M.S. / Ph.D.)
- Medicine (pre-med physics)
- Astronomy and space science
- Industry (sustainable energy, nanotechnology, materials development, petroleum industry, quantum information technology, medical instrumentation, and electronics)
- Teaching in schools
- Science and energy policies
- Intellectual property (patent law)
This program requires 94 credits and can be completed in three years by those entering as sophomores. The program is offered in Beirut and Byblos.
Mission
The mission of the Bachelor of Science in Applied Physics is to offer an excellent education in physical sciences that can be applied in various technical fields. The program carries out its mission within the context of the liberal arts education and is committed to prepare students for careers in teaching, research, and industry.
Program Objectives
Graduates of this program should be able to:
- contribute to technological advances in Lebanon and the region and pursue a variety of careers, including teaching, industry jobs, scientific research, and others,
- use strong quantitative reasoning, analytical thinking, and problem-solving skills that are valuable for a wide range of career choices, and
- respond to scientific challenges and be lifelong learners.
Learning Outcomes
At the completion of the program, students should be able to:
- demonstrate profound knowledge underlying experimental and theoretical physics,
- acquire the skills needed to study various physical applications,
- conduct laboratory experiments and correlate results with theoretical models,
- demonstrate written, oral, and visual presentation skills to communicate scientific knowledge,
- apply the scientific method to perform research, and
- work in teams and on multidisciplinary topics.
Curriculum
Students must complete 94 credits of the following requirements:
- Liberal Arts Curriculum (24 credits + 10 credits from Mathematics and Science Requirements)
- Physics Requirements (33 credits)
- Mathematics Requirements (12 credits)
- Chemistry Requirement (3 credits)
- Computer Science Requirement (3 credits)
- Elective Courses (minimum 18 credits with at least 9 PHY credits)
- Computer Skills (1 credit)
Physics Requirements (33 credits)
- PHY201 Electricity and Magnetism (4 cr.)
- PHY202 Classical Mechanics (3 cr.)
- PHY203 Classical Mechanics - Lab (1 cr.)
- PHY304 Mathematical Methods for Physicists (3 cr.)
- PHY307 Thermodynamics (4 cr.)
- PHY308 Quantum Mechanics (3 cr.)
- PHY309 Thermodynamics and Quantum - Lab (3 cr.)
- PHY321 Introduction to Modern Physics (3 cr.)
- PHY322 Modern Physics - Lab (1 cr.)
- PHY402 Solid State Physics (3 cr.)
- PHY405 Statistical Mechanics (3 cr.)
- PHY499 Senior Study (2 cr.)
Mathematics Requirements (12 credits)
- MTH201 Calculus III (3 cr.)
- MTH206 Calculus IV (3 cr.)
- MTH303 Numerical Methods (3 cr.)
- MTH305 Probability and Statistics (3 cr.)
Chemistry Requirement (3 credits)
- CHM201 Chemical Principles (3 cr.)
Computer Science Requirement (3 credits)
Choose one of the following:
- CSC243 Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming (3 cr.)
- BIF244 Introduction to Script Programming (3 cr.)
Elective Courses (minimum 18 credits with at least 9 PHY credits)
The program offers three areas of concentration: pre-med physics, materials science, and electronics. Students may also design customized concentration areas in close consultation with their advisors and with departmental approval.
- PHY311 Organic Materials I (3 cr.)
- PHY312 Organic Materials II (3 cr.)
- PHY391 Instrumentation and Measurements (3 cr.)
- PHY401 Instrumental Analysis (3 cr.)
- PHY403 Polymer Science (3 cr.)
- PHY404 Fluids Mechanics (3 cr.)
- PHY411 Electricity and Magnetism II (3 cr.)
- PHY413 Electromagnetic Waves (3 cr.)
- PHY424 Introduction to Nanotechnology (2 cr.)
- PHY450 Medical Imaging and Instrumentation (3 cr.)
- CHM420 Inorganic Chemistry (3 cr.)
- CHM423 Synthesis and Identification of Inorganic Compounds (2 cr.)
- CHM425 Computational Chemistry (3 cr.)
- ELE201 Electrical Circuits I (3 cr.)
- ELE302 Electrical Circuits II (3 cr.)
- ELE303 Electric Circuits II - Lab (1 cr.)
- ELE401 Electronics I (3 cr.)
- ELE402 Electronics - Lab (1 cr.)
- CSC245 Objects and Data Abstraction (3 cr.)
- MTH301 Linear Algebra (3 cr.)
- MTH306 Non-Linear Dynamics Chaos (3 cr.)
- BIO201 General Biology I (4 cr.)
- BIO202 General Biology II (4 cr.)
- BIO321 Genetics (3 cr.)
- BCH301 Introduction to Biochemistry (4 cr.)
Computer Skills (1 credit)
- CSC201 Computer Applications (1 cr.)
Recommended Study Plan
Year One
Fall (16 credits)
- PHY202 Classical Mechanics (3 cr.)
- PHY203 Classical Mechanics - Lab (1 cr.)
- LAC elective (3 cr.)
- MTH201 Calculus III (3 cr.)
- CHM201 Chemical Principles (3 cr.)
- ENG202 Advanced Academic English (3 cr.)
Spring (15 credits)
- PHY201 Electricity and magnetism (4 cr.)
- PHY321 Introduction to Modern Physics (3 cr.)
- PHY322 Modern Physics - Lab (1 cr.)
- MTH206 Calculus IV (3 cr.)
- LAC Elective (3 cr.)
- CSC201 Computer Application (1 cr.)
Year Two
Fall (16 credits)
- PHY304 Mathematical Methods for Physicists (3 cr.)
- PHY307 Thermodynamics (4 cr.)
- Elective 1 (3 cr.)
- COM203 Fundamentals of Oral Communication (3 cr.)
- LAC Elective (3 cr.)
Spring (17 credits)
- PHY308 Quantum Mechanics (3 cr.)
- PHY309 Thermodynamics and Quantum - Lab (2 cr.)
- PHY402 Solid State Physics (3cr.)
- Elective 2 (3 cr.)
- LAC Elective (3 cr.)
- LAC Elective (3 cr.)
Year Three
Fall (15 credits)
- PHY405 Statistical Mechanics (3 cr.)
- Elective 3 (3 cr.)
- Elective 4 (3 cr.)
- MTH303 Numerical Methods (3 cr.)
- LAC Elective (3 cr.)
Spring (15 credits)
- PHY499 Senior Study (3 cr.)
- Elective 5 (3 cr.)
- CSC243 Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming (3 cr.)
- MTH305 Probability and Statistics (3 cr.)
- Elective 6 (3 cr.)
Pre-Med Physics - Study Plan
Additional courses (6 credits) provide students with the skills to succeed in the Medical College Admission test (MCAT).
Year One
Fall (17 credits)
- PHY202 Classical Mechanics (3 cr.)
- PHY203 Classical Mechanics - Lab (1 cr.)
- BIO201 General Biology I (4 cr.)
- MTH201 Calculus III (3 cr.)
- CHM201 Chemical Principles (3 cr.)
- ENG202 Advanced Academic English (3 cr.)
Spring (18 credits)
- BIO202 General Biology II (4 cr.)
- PHY201 Electricity and Magnetism (4 cr.)
- PHY304 Mathematical Methods for Physicists (3 cr.)
- PHY321 Introduction to Modern Physics (3 cr.)
- PHY322 Modern Physics - Lab (1 cr.)
- COM203 Fundamentals of Oral Communication (3 cr.)
Year Two
Fall (16 credits)
- BIO321 Genetics (3 cr.)
- PHY307 Thermodynamics (4 cr.)
- PHY311 Organic Materials I (3 cr.)
- LAC Elective (3 cr.)
- SOC201 Introduction to Sociology (LAC Elective; 3 cr.)
Spring (16 credits)
- BCH301 Introduction to Biochemistry (4 cr.)
- PHY308 Quantum Mechanics (3 cr.)
- PHY309 Thermodynamics and Quantum - Lab (2 cr.)
- PHY312 Organic Materials II (3 cr.)
- PSY201 Introduction to Psychology (LAC Elective; 3 cr.)
- CSC201 Computer Application (1 cr.)
Year Three
Fall (18 credits)
- PHY405 Statistical Mechanics (3 cr.)
- MTH303 Numerical Methods (3 cr.)
- MTH305 Probability and Statistics (3 cr.)
- PHY—- Physics Elective (3 cr.)
- LAC Elective (3 cr.)
- LAC Elective (3 cr.)
Spring (15 credits)