B.S. in Physics/B.S. in Engineering

College of the Sciences and Mathematics
GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
Academic Foundations
First Year Experience requirement4
English Composition requirement6-7
Mathematics requirement3-4
Interdisciplinary requirement3
Diverse Communities requirement3
Ethics requirement3
Distributed Disciplinary Foundations
Science requirement6-8
Behavioral & Social Science requirement6
Humanities requirement6
Arts requirement3
ADDITIONAL BACCALAUREATE REQUIREMENTS
University Requirements
Writing Emphasis requirement9
Speaking Emphasis requirement9
Degree Requirements
Capstone requirement1-15
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS
Major Courses
PHY 170Physics I4
PHY 180Physics II4
PHY 240Introduction to Modern Physics3
PHY 275Computational Physics3
PHY 300Mechanics 13
PHY 310Intermediate Physics Lab: Experimental Methods & Scientific Communication 13
BME 120Introduction to Computer Aided Engineering Design3
BME 220Statics3
An additional nine credits in physics at or above the 300 level must be chosen, depending on the engineering area selected. 19
Related/Cognate Requirements 2
MAT 161Calculus I4
MAT 162Calculus II4
MAT 261Calculus III4
MAT 315Differential Equations and Linear Algebra 33
CHE 103General Chemistry I3
CHE 104General Chemistry II3
CRL 103General Chemistry I Lab1
CRL 104General Chemistry II Lab1
Capstone Requirement
PHY 455Advanced Physics Lab: Experimental Methods & Scientific Communication 1,43
Total Minimum Credits Required120
1

Physics courses at the 300-level or higher must be completed with a grade of C or better.

2

Some of these courses may meet general education requirements.

3

Students may also take both MAT 311 and MAT 343.

4

This course fulfills the Capstone requirement.

To track their individual degree progress, students are advised to access their Degree Progress Report (DPR) via myWCU regularly. For more information, visit wcupa.edu/DegreeProgressReport.

The following is a sample suggested course sequence for this program; course offerings and availability are not guaranteed. Students should consult their academic advisor with any questions.

Cooperative Physics-Engineering Dual-Degree Programs

B.S. in Physics, West Chester University and B.S. in Engineering from Case Western Reserve University, Columbia University, Pennsylvania State University, or Philadelphia/Jefferson University

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
Semester OneCredits
MAT 161 Calculus I 4
ECO 111 Principles of Economics (Macro) 3
WRT 120
or WRT 123
 Effective Writing I
or Effective Writing with Supplemental Writing Workshop
 3
FYE 100XFirst Year Experience 4
Arts Gen Ed 3
 Credits17
Semester Two
PHY 170 Physics I 4
BME 120 Introduction to Computer Aided Engineering Design 3
MAT 162 Calculus II 4
WRT 2XX200-Level WRT Course 1 3
Humanities Gen Ed 3
 Credits17
Year Two
Semester Three
PHY 180 Physics II 4
BME 220 Statics 3
MAT 261 Calculus III 4
CHE 103 General Chemistry I 3
CRL 103 General Chemistry I Lab 1
 Credits15
Semester Four
PHY 275 Computational Physics 3
PHY 240 Introduction to Modern Physics 3
MAT 315 Differential Equations and Linear Algebra 3
CHE 104 General Chemistry II 3
CRL 104 General Chemistry II Lab 1
Interdisciplinary Gen Ed 3
 Credits16
Year Three
Semester Five
PHY 300 Mechanics 3
PHY 310 Intermediate Physics Lab: Experimental Methods & Scientific Communication 3
PHI 180 Introduction to Ethics 3
PHY XXXPhysics Elective 1 3
Science Gen Ed 3
 Credits15
Semester Six
PHY 455 Advanced Physics Lab: Experimental Methods & Scientific Communication 3
PHY XXXPhysics Elective 1 3
PHY XXXPhysics Elective 1 3
3-2 Elective 1 3
3-2 Elective 1 3
 Credits15
 Total Credits95
1

Courses should be selected to fulfill program specific requirements. See appendix in the student handbook for physics majors.

  1. Majors will not be permitted to repeat any physics courses more than once.
  2. Upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above) must be completed with a grade of C or higher.
  3. MAT 161, MAT 162, PHY 170, and CHE 103/CRL 103 must be completed with a grade of C or higher.

Transfer to Pennsylvania State University or to Philadelphia/Jefferson University is contingent upon recommendation by the department and having a minimum GPA of 3.0.

Note: The program with Penn State is not available to transfer students and must be completed in three years. These restrictions do no apply to the program with Philadelphia/Jefferson University. In addition, Penn State is currently not accepting 3+2 students into Aerospace Engineering, Architectural Engineering, Bio-engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering.

Students intending to enroll in Electrical Engineering should take PHY 330 and PHY 430.

Course recommendations for students matriculating to Case Western Reserve University:

  • Students are encouraged to take PHY 370 as a physics elective.
  • Each specific engineering major has unique additional recommended courses. Students should consult the website for the Dual Degree Program at Case Western pertaining to their major of interest for other recommended courses. Note: if these courses cannot be fulfilled, they will be integrated into the curriculum, which may possibly extend the program timeline.

Course recommendations for students matriculating to Columbia University:

  • Students should consult the document titled The Combined Plan Program at Columbia University for information about foundational and major-specific prerequisite coursework that must be completed at WCU. Some of the engineering majors have three or more major-specific prerequisite courses, which may require an additional course to be taken during one of the semesters.

Course recommendations for students matriculating to Pennsylvania State University:

  • The 3-2 elective courses should be selected to satisfy course requirements at Penn State. Recommended courses:  ENG 371, an art course, a health course, or a course that fulfills the requirement of a particular major. See Penn State's "Check Sheet."

Course recommendations for students matriculating to Philadelphia/Jefferson University:

  • Diversity Course Recommendation: A class considered a Global Diversity (GDIV) class or an American Diversity (ADIV) class should be selected. Course areas considered as GDIV include Cultural Anthropology, World or Comparative Religions, Cultural Geography, Foreign Language, or World Literature (literature with a global focus). Course subjects considered as ADIV include U.S. Literature, African-American History, African-American Literature, American Studies, or other specialized courses that focus on U.S. minority populations.
  • PHI 180 and a second diversity course (whatever was not taken--ADIV or GDIV--in the "J" course slot). The third 3-2 elective course can be any 3-credit course.
  • Students intending to enroll in mechanical engineering should take PHY 330, PHY 350, and PHY 370.