Physics and Mathematics, B.S. | NYU Tandon School of Engineering

Physics and Mathematics, B.S.

On Campus

Physics and Mathematics

Mathematics deals with abstraction, logic, and quantitative reasoning. Because it has applications to nearly every branch of science and engineering, it’s essential for mathematicians to think about how their work infiltrates other branches of learning. Advances in physics — for example, those in electromagnetism and thermodynamics — often resonate deeply with mathematics.

At the School of Engineering, the BS in Applied Physics and Mathematics program serves as a means to bridge these 2 disciplines. The dual major allows you to gain a foothold in separate but substantial fields. In addition to learning the fundamentals of physics and math, our students pursue a specialized course of study that a minor in either field just can’t match.

But we also want to make sure your skills transfer over to the real world. That’s why we provide internship opportunities at major financial, insurance, and technology firms in the New York area.

Students with experience in both mathematics and physics enjoy diverse and interesting careers. Our graduates have the freedom to explore such stimulating fields as chemistry, biology, medicine, and engineering. They’re also qualified for positions in software design, economics, aerospace engineering, law, and business.

Curriculum

You must complete 128 credits, as defined below, to graduate from the School of Engineering with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics & Physics.  Please note that the curriculum that follows applies to students who began classes in the fall of 2020 or later. If you entered the School of Engineering prior to that date, please consult the curriculum and typical course schedule for students entering spring 2020 or earlier.

The Department of Applied Physics also offers a Minor in Applied Physics. A full list of the department's undergraduate offerings is also available.

The core of the program is 32 credits of required physics courses and 31 credits of required math courses. Students pursuing the dual major must also take an additional 8 credits of physics and math electives. 22 credits are reserved for STEM & free electives and independent study courses. The remaining credits are used to satisfy other school, university and state requirements. The curriculum is specified in detail below.




You are required to take 16 credits in the humanities and social sciences requiring EXPOS-UA 1 and EXPOS-UA 2 as prerequisites. To gain some breadth and depth of knowledge, it is required that you take courses in at least two disciplines and at least one course at an advanced level.


Select at least 4 credits from the undergraduate math electives and at least 3 credits from the undergraduate physics electives. Graduate courses may be substituted with advisor’s approval.


22 credits are allocated for STEM & free electives and independent study courses.  8 credits are reserved for a 6 credit physics project plus a 2 credit senior physics seminar course or a 4 credit math project/thesis and an extra 4 credit math elective.  The remaining 14 credits are reserved for two 4 credit STEM electives and two 3 credit free electives. The program adviser must approve electives selected from other disciplines.


Sample Course Schedule

This typical course schedule provides guidance to students as to how they would normally be expected to complete the degree requirements.  Students should be sure to consult their advisor before selecting courses for a particular semester as prerequisites and course offering patterns are the primary considerations affecting registration. This sequence applies to students who begin classes in the fall of 2020 and onwards. If you entered the School of Engineering prior to that date, please review the curriculum and typical course schedule for students entering prior to fall 2020.


Fall Semester

PH-UY 2023 Please refer to the bulletin for more information
PH-UY 2121 Please refer to the bulletin for more information
MA-UY 2114 Please refer to the bulletin for more information
MA-UY 2224 Please refer to the bulletin for more information

HuSS Elective 1* 4 Credits  

 

Spring Semester

PH-UY 2033 Please refer to the bulletin for more information
PH-UY 2131 Please refer to the bulletin for more information
PH-UY 2344 Please refer to the bulletin for more information
MA-UY 2034 Please refer to the bulletin for more information

HuSS Elective 2* 4 Credits  

*To gain some breadth and depth of knowledge, take courses in at least two disciplines and at least one course at an advanced level.


Fall Semester

PH-UY 2104 Please refer to the bulletin for more information
MA-UY 4414 Please refer to the bulletin for more information

STEM Elective 4 Credits  
HuSS Elective 3* 4 Credits  

 

Spring Semester

PH-UY 3002 Please refer to the bulletin for more information
PH-UY 3234 Please refer to the bulletin for more information
MA-UY 4424 Please refer to the bulletin for more information

STEM Elective 4 Credits  
Free Elective 3 Credits  

*To gain some breadth and depth of knowledge, take courses in at least two disciplines and at least one course at an advanced level.


Fall Semester

Take all:

PH-GY 6673 Please refer to the bulletin for more information
MA-UY 3113 Please refer to the bulletin for more information

HuSS Elective 4* 4 Credits  
Free Elective 3 Credits  

and either take both:

PH-UY 4902 Please refer to the bulletin for more information
PH-UY 4912 Please refer to the bulletin for more information

or take:

Math Elective 4 Credits  

 

Spring Semester

Take all:

PH-UY 4124 Please refer to the bulletin for more information
PH-UY 3801 Please refer to the bulletin for more information

Physics Elective 3 Credits  
Math Elective 4 Credits  

Choose one:

PH-UY 4904 Please refer to the bulletin for more information
MA-UY 4924 Please refer to the bulletin for more information

Math Independent Study MA-UY4924 4 Credits  

*To gain some breadth and depth of knowledge, take courses in at least two disciplines and at least one course at an advanced level.