Department of Physics

"Imagination is more important than knowledge."

--Albert Einstein

How can I go to Shippensburg and get an Engineering Degree?

In conjunction with partner universities, the Shippensburg University Physics Department offers the highly-valued 3+2 degree program in Applied Physics and Engineering. Attend Shippensburg for three years and then transfer to one of our partner Universities (Penn. State or the University of Maryland). All your credits transfer and after two more years you are awarded an Engineering degree from the partner university and an Applied Physics degree from Shippensburg.

Our experience has shown us that your years at Shippensburg will leave you very well prepared for your final two years at our partner universities. Also, the dual degree you receive offers your future employer more than just technical expertise in the engineering field of your choice: It offers the flexibility and problem-solving capabilities which come with a physics degree! In the fast-changing world of technical and business employment, the applied physics degree guarantees your employer that you will be adaptable.

What sort of careers are there in Physics?

A physics degree provides more than just the knowledge of the physical universe needed for a job in industry, technology, or to attend graduate school. A physics degree provides the background for anyone who will use mathematics, logical thinking or problem solving abilities in their chosen field. It is also an excellent background for and highly desired by the professional schools.

If you're not sure what you want to do in your career, but you know that you'll want to use your ability to think rationally and plan logically, then physics is the degree for you! Our physics graduates have ended up in all sorts of careers - all they needed to do was show an interest in the field and to apply to the appropriate industry. Some examples of where physics graduates have made their careers are:

Medical Technology
Finance & Banking
Management Consulting
Engineering

Biotechnical Research
Secondary Education
Computer services
Telecommunications

Physics degrees are not only valued in academic and technical careers, but are an entree into:

Law School
MBA Programs
Medical School
Graduate Studies in Computers, Chemistry, Biophysics and other fields

A physics degree from Shippensburg can open these and many other doors to you!

The degree requirements in Applied Physics are:

Courses	Credits per Course	Combined Credits
I. Physics
PHY 205 Intermediate Physics I	4	4
PHY 206 Intermediate Physics II	4	4
PHY 207 Intermediate Physics III	4	4
PHY 308 Modern Physics	4	4
PHY 400 Mechanics	4	4
PHY 401 E & M PHY 410 Heat & Thermodynamics PHY 441 Quantum Mechanics PHY 4XX other 400 level	4 4 3 3 or 4	7
PHY 442 Mathematical Physics	4	4
Physics credits		31
II. Mathematics
MAT 211 Calculus I	4	4
MAT 212 Calculus II	4	4
MAT 213 Calculus III	4	4
MAT 223 Differential Equations	3	3
MAT 229 Elementary Linear Algebra	3	3
CPS 253 Structured Computer Programming	4	4
Mathematics/Computer Science credits		22
III. Other Sciences
CHM 121/125 Chemical Bonding & Lab I B	4	4
CHM 122/126 Chemical Dynamics & Lab II B	4	4
Other Science credits		8