Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of these programs will be able to:

1. Demonstrate cognitive skills important to a physicist, including the following:
   1. Think critically and analytically;
   2. Define and solve problems in physics; and
   3. Conduct quantitative research in a contemporary area of physics.
2. Demonstrate a core knowledge and understanding of the foundations of physics.
3. Communicate results of their work to peers, to various target groups within the physics community and to people outside the discipline. Teaching skills also come under this heading.

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
• Minimum 2.750 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000 point scale
• Official transcript(s)
• Résumé or vita
• Goal statement
• Three letters of recommendation
• English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions) by earning one of the following:
  • Minimum 550 TOEFL PBT score
  • Minimum 79 TOEFL IBT score
  • Minimum 77 MELAB score
  • Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
  • Minimum 58 PTE score
  • Minimum 110 Duolingo English score

Application Deadlines

• Fall Semester
  • Priority deadline: February 1
    Applications submitted by this deadline will receive the strongest consideration for admission.

• Spring Semester
  • Application deadline: September 1
    Applications submitted after this deadline will be considered on a space-available basis.

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

¹

Electives are selected in consultation with the student's faculty advisor and approved by the department.

²

Students who select research (non-thesis option) are required to submit a written research report.

³

Students who select the thesis option are required to submit and orally defend a thesis. The thesis topic is chosen together with the research advisor and must be defended to a committee of physics graduate faculty.

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • Kent Campus

Program Requirements

Minor Requirements

Graduation Requirements

• Minimum 6 credit hours in the minor must be upper-division coursework (30000 and 40000 level).
• Minimum 6 credit hours in the minor must be outside of the course requirements for any major or other minor the student is pursuing.
• Minimum 50 percent of the total credit hours for the minor must be taken at Kent State (in residence).

Admission Requirements

Admission to a minor is open to students declared in a bachelor’s degree, the A.A.B. or A.A.S. degree or the A.T.S. degree (not Individualized Program major). Students declared only in the A.A. or A.S. degree or the A.T.S. degree in Individualized Program may not declare a minor. Students may not pursue a minor and a major in the same discipline.

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • Kent Campus

Full Description

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Physics prepares students for such varied fields as secondary education, patent law, science journalism or interdisciplinary science careers. The core requirements permit a large number of elective courses, which allow students to complete a minor or second major in preparation for an interdisciplinary career. This program is well suited for those with a strong interest not only in science but also in a non-science field. Students completing the program may choose to continue their physics studies on a graduate level.

Admission Requirements

The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students who graduated from high school three or more years ago.

First-Year Students on the Kent Campus: First-year admission policy on the Kent Campus is selective. Admission decisions are based upon cumulative grade point average, strength of high school college preparatory curriculum and grade trends. Students not admissible to the Kent Campus may be administratively referred to one of the seven regional campuses to begin their college coursework. For more information, visit the admissions website for first-year students.

First-Year Students on the Regional Campuses: First-year admission to Kent State’s campuses at Ashtabula, East Liverpool, Geauga, Salem, Stark, Trumbull and Tuscarawas, as well as the Twinsburg Academic Center, is open to anyone with a high school diploma or its equivalent. For more information on admissions, contact the Regional Campuses admissions offices.

International Students: All international students must provide proof of English language proficiency unless they meet specific exceptions. For more information, visit the admissions website for international students.

Transfer Students: Students who have attended any other educational institution after graduating from high school must apply as undergraduate transfer students. For more information, visit the admissions website for transfer students.

Former Students: Former Kent State students or graduates who have not attended another college or university since Kent State may complete the reenrollment or reinstatement form on the University Registrar’s website.

Admission policies for undergraduate students may be found in the University Catalog.

Some programs may require that students meet certain requirements before progressing through the program. For programs with progression requirements, the information is shown on the Coursework tab.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Demonstrate the technical and cognitive skills important in a good physicist, including the following:
   1. Think critically and analytically.
   2. Define a problem and how to solve problems.
   3. Understand advanced mathematics (e.g., calculus and differential equations) and computer skills.
   4. Use, design and even build lab equipment.
2. Demonstrate the traits important in a good scientist, namely, hard working, creative, meticulous, persistence, tenacious and self confidence.
3. Communicate results of their work to peers, to their instructors or supervisors, to various target groups within the physics community and to people outside the discipline.

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

¹

Credit is not granted for both the PHY 13001/PHY 13002 and the PHY 23101/PHY 23102 series.

²

A minimum C grade must be earned to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.

³

With advisor’s permission, students may replace 3 credit hours of physics electives with ENG 20002 or PHIL 41035.

⁴

Maximum 6 credit hours of PHY 40096 may be applied toward the major.

Graduation Requirements

• The following courses may not count towards the Physics major requirements:

  Course List

  Code	Title	Credit Hours
  PHY 11030	SEVEN IDEAS THAT SHOOK THE UNIVERSE (KBS)	3
  PHY 21040	PHYSICS IN ENTERTAINMENT AND THE ARTS (KBS)	3
  PHY 21041	PHYSICS IN ENTERTAINMENT AND THE ARTS LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB)	1
  PHY 21430	FRONTIERS IN ASTRONOMY (KBS)	3
  PHY 21431	FRONTIERS IN ASTRONOMY LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB)	1

Foreign Language College Requirement, B.A.

Students pursuing the Bachelor of Arts degree in the College of Arts and Sciences must complete 14-16 credit hours of foreign language.¹
To complete the requirement, students need the equivalent of Elementary I and II in any language, plus one of the following options²:

1. Intermediate I and II of the same language
2. Elementary I and II of a second language
3. Any combination of two courses from the following list:

• Intermediate I of the same language
• ARAB 21401
• ASL 19401
• CHIN 25421
• MCLS 10001
• MCLS 20001
• MCLS 20091
• MCLS 21417
• MCLS 21420
• MCLS 22217
• MCLS 28403
• MCLS 28404

¹

All students with prior foreign language experience should take the foreign language placement test to determine the appropriate level at which to start. Some students may start beyond the Elementary I level and will complete the requirement with fewer credit hours and fewer courses. This may be accomplished by (1) passing a course beyond Elementary I through Intermediate II level; (2) receiving credit through one of the alternative credit programs offered by Kent State University; or (3) demonstrating language proficiency comparable to Elementary II of a foreign language. When students complete the requirement with fewer than 14 credit hours and four courses, they will complete remaining credit hours with general electives.

²

Certain majors, concentrations and minors may require specific languages, limit the languages from which a student may choose or require coursework through Intermediate II. Students who plan to pursue graduate study may need particular language coursework.

Roadmap

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major. However, courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • Kent Campus

Full Description

The Bachelor of Science degree in Physics is a professionally oriented program that serves as preparation either for graduate work in physics or for entrance into positions in a variety of industries or government service.

The Physics major comprises the following concentrations:

• The Applied Physics concentration prepares students for immediate entry into careers in industry. Course requirements include electronics, introduction to computer programming, and data analysis and computational physics techniques. While rooted in the basic principles of physics, this program is optimized for students concerned with the application of physics in practical devices and systems.
• The Biological Sciences concentration is interdisciplinary and for students with a strong interest in both physics and biology, who may wish to prepare for graduate study in biophysics or for work in a biotechnology company.
• The Chemistry concentration is interdisciplinary and designed for students with a strong interest in both physics and chemistry, who may wish to prepare for graduate study in chemical physics or for work in a high-technology materials-related research and development laboratory.
• The Computer Science concentration is interdisciplinary and provides a foundation in physics while emphasizing the use of computer software in scientific applications. Graduates are prepared for computer-related careers that require an understanding of the underlying science as well as knowledge of relevant computer applications.
• The Entrepreneurship concentration is interdisciplinary and designed to prepare physics majors for various aspects of starting or managing a scientific business.
• The Mathematical Physics concentration is interdisciplinary and provides students with a strong understanding of applied physical theory, its applications and the underlying mathematics. This training, valuable for start-up positions with a number of industries, may also serve as preparation for graduate work in either physics or mathematics.
• The Pre-Medicine/Pre-Osteopathy/Pre-Podiatry concentration is interdisciplinary and designed to prepare physics majors for further study leading to careers in medicine.
• The Research concentration prepares majors for further study at the graduate level. This program trains students in logical thinking and problem solving using both analytical and computational methods. It also furnishes students with a comprehensive understanding of the basic laws and principles that govern the physical world. Academic assessment and GRE scores keep the program up-to-date via curricular revisions. This program is a popular stepping stone to graduate degrees not only in physics, but also in engineering, astronomy/astrophysics and materials science.

Admission Requirements

The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students who graduated from high school three or more years ago.

First-Year Students on the Kent Campus: First-year admission policy on the Kent Campus is selective. Admission decisions are based upon cumulative grade point average, strength of high school college preparatory curriculum and grade trends. Students not admissible to the Kent Campus may be administratively referred to one of the seven regional campuses to begin their college coursework. For more information, visit the admissions website for first-year students.

First-Year Students on the Regional Campuses: First-year admission to Kent State’s campuses at Ashtabula, East Liverpool, Geauga, Salem, Stark, Trumbull and Tuscarawas, as well as the Twinsburg Academic Center, is open to anyone with a high school diploma or its equivalent. For more information on admissions, contact the Regional Campuses admissions offices.

International Students: All international students must provide proof of English language proficiency unless they meet specific exceptions. For more information, visit the admissions website for international students.

Transfer Students: Students who have attended any other educational institution after graduating from high school must apply as undergraduate transfer students. For more information, visit the admissions website for transfer students.

Former Students: Former Kent State students or graduates who have not attended another college or university since Kent State may complete the reenrollment or reinstatement form on the University Registrar’s website.

Admission policies for undergraduate students may be found in the University Catalog.

Some programs may require that students meet certain requirements before progressing through the program. For programs with progression requirements, the information is shown on the Coursework tab.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Demonstrate technical and cognitive skills important in a good physicist, including the following:
   1. Think critically and analytically.
   2. Define a problem and how to solve problems.
   3. Understand advanced mathematics (e.g., calculus and differential equations) and computer skills.
   4. Use, design and even build lab equipment.
2. Demonstrate the traits important in a good scientist, namely, hard working, creative, meticulous, persistence, tenacious and self confidence.
3. Communicate results of their work to peers, to their instructors or supervisors, to various target groups within the physics community and to people outside the discipline.

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

¹

Credit is not granted for both the PHY 13001/PHY 13002 and the PHY 23101/PHY 23102 series, nor for PHY 13012.

²

A minimum C grade must be earned to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.

³

PHIL 21001 is highly recommended to fulfill the Kent Core Humanities category for the Pre-Medicine/Pre-Osteopathy/Pre-Podiatry concentration. This course also fulfills the global diversity requirement.

Applied Physics Concentration Requirements

¹

Maximum 6 credit hours of PHY 40096 may be applied toward the major.

Biological Sciences Concentration Requirements

¹

Recommended major electives: BSCI 40158, CHEM 30481, PHY 41010, PHY 44600.

Chemistry Concentration Requirements

¹

Students who have already completed CHEM 30481 and CHEM 30482 may not take and apply CHEM 20482 toward the program.

²

A minimum C grade must be earned to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.

³

Maximum 6 credit hours of PHY 40096 may be applied toward the major.

Computer Science Concentration Requirements

¹

Maximum 6 credit hours of PHY 40096 may be applied toward the major.

Entrepreneurship Concentration Requirements

¹

Maximum 6 credit hours of PHY 40096 may be applied toward the major.

²

Recommended general electives: ENTR 47047 and one of the following: ENTR 37045, ENTR 37075, MKTG 35056.

Mathematical Physics Concentration Requirements

¹

Maximum 6 credit hours of PHY 40096 may be applied toward the major.

Pre-Medicine/Pre-Osteopathy/Pre-Podiatry Concentration Requirements

Research Concentration Requirements

¹

Maximum 6 credit hours of PHY 40096 may be applied toward the major.

Graduation Requirements

• The following courses may not count towards the Physics major requirements: PHY 11030, PHY 21040, PHY 21041, PHY 21430 and PHY 21431.

Foreign Language College Requirement, B.S.

• Students pursuing the Bachelor of Science degree in the College of Arts and Sciences must complete 8 credit hours of foreign language.¹ 
• The Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science is exempt from this requirement.²
• Minimum Elementary I and II of the same language

¹

All students with prior foreign language experience should take the foreign language placement test to determine the appropriate level at which to start. Some students may start beyond the Elementary I level and will complete the requirement with fewer credit hours and fewer courses. This may be accomplished by (1) passing a course beyond Elementary I through Intermediate II level; (2) receiving credit through one of the alternative credit programs offered by Kent State University; or (3) demonstrating language proficiency comparable to Elementary II of a foreign language. When students complete the requirement with fewer than 8 credit hours and two courses, they will complete remaining credit hours with general electives.

²

The Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science exemption exists under another college policy (Three-Plus-One Programs).

Roadmaps

Applied Physics Concentration

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major. However, courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Biological Sciences Concentration

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major. However, courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Chemistry Concentration

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major. However, courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Computer Science Concentration

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major. However, courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Entrepreneurship Concentration

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major. However, courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Mathematical Physics Concentration

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major. However, courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Pre-Medicine/Pre-Osteopathy/Pre-Podiatry Concentration

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major. However, courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Research Concentration

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major. However, courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • Kent Campus

Full Description

The Bachelor of Technical and Applied Studies degree is a completer program designed for students with an associate degree or some college-level coursework who wish to matriculate into a bachelor's degree. The program accommodates varied educational backgrounds, develops competencies needed for success in a variety of work settings and offers flexibility and scheduling attractive to working students and to time- and place-bound adults.

The B.T.A.S. degree integrates the practical application of technical skills and knowledge with the professional skills instilled in a bachelor’s degree program. Students focus on career paths in technical and applied areas of specializations, leading to breadth and depth in a particular discipline.

The program provides a foundation for further graduate education and benefits students who need additional workplace and professional skills beyond their technical education with hands-on learning, experiential learning opportunities, internships and research projects. Employers are searching for professionals with a combination of technical expertise and business soft skills; this program provides the knowledge, skills and experiences necessary to transition from student to professional.

Many associate degree programs at Kent State University align well with the B.T.A.S. degree.

Admission Requirements

The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students who graduated from high school three or more years ago.

Students who wish to declare the B.T.A.S. degree must meet with an academic advisor prior to admission or changing their major to discuss their future academic and career goals and to develop an approved program of study. Ideally, students should begin the process for evaluation and program review at or near the time they have a minimum of 12 earned credit hours of college-level coursework.

International Students: All international students must provide proof of English language proficiency unless they meet specific exceptions. For more information, visit the admissions website for international students.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Interpret and communicate discipline specific information via written, verbal and/or visual or digital representations.
2. Demonstrate effective written, oral and digital communication skills in multiple contexts, for a variety of audiences.
3. Demonstrate application and evidence of skills and knowledge via presentation of artifacts in an electronic portfolio.
4. Analyze ethical issues in the context of the profession or discipline to produce reasoned evaluations and solutions.
5. Integrate applied skills and theoretical knowledge in a specific technical field with opportunities for experiential learning in a workplace environment.
6. Develop self-awareness about identity and culture, diversity, sensitivity and respect for differences.

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

¹

The internship or practicum allows students to gain workplace skills and real-world experience in their chosen field. Students with prior work, internship, practicum, student teaching and/or field experience may be waived the internship/practicum requirement with approval by the program coordinator.

²

In TAS 37900, students construct a meaningful career management plan to explore and prepare for their preferred professional goals.

³

TAS 47999, taken near the end of the program, synthesizes learning and focuses on foundational competencies in the form of service or experiential learning, a discipline-specific research project and the development of an academic/career e-portfolio. A minimum C grade must be earned to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.

⁴

In collaboration with an advisor, students develop a plan of study for two to three specializations that draw on transferred, completed and available Kent State coursework. Students select from a flexible and robust core of skills- and knowledge-based courses - bridging multiple disciplines - to develop a tailored option to best benefit and further professional goals. A faculty member approves the student’s specializations to ensure they meet the student's needs. Two of the three specialization areas may be from the same discipline. One specialization must be distinct.

Progression Requirements

Students must meet with an advisor for a plan of study for each specialization. Any changes made to the program of study must also be approved by an advisor, or the student may not be allowed to graduate.

Graduation Requirements

• Delivery:
  • Fully online
  • Mostly online
  • In Person (Leavittsburg location only)
• Location:
  • Ashtabula Campus
  • East Liverpool Campus
  • Geauga Campus
  • Salem Campus
  • Stark Campus
  • Trumbull Campus
  • Tuscarawas Campus
  • Leavittsburg, Ohio 

Full Description

The Bachelor of Integrative Studies degree provides a path to degree completion utilizing an integrative approach while maintaining a focus on career and professional goals. Students consult with an advisor to research and develop a plan of study.

The Integrative Studies major comprises the following concentrations:

• The Integrative Studies-General concentration allows students to choose a minimum of 30 credit hours from a minimum of two interrelated programs that support their career aspirations.
• The Integrative Studies-Two Minors concentration allows students to complete two university-recognized minors and/or certificates. Students select courses from a minimum of two academic departments and develop a rationale for the ways in which these courses support their career goals.

Students may apply early to the M.S. degree in Emerging Media and Technology and double count 9 credit hours of graduate courses toward both degree programs. See the Combined Bachelor's/Master's Degree Program ;policy in the University Catalog for more information.

Admission Requirements

Students who wish to declare either the General or the Two Minors concentration of the Integrative Studies degree must meet with a B.I.S. academic advisor to discuss their future academic and career goals and to develop an approved program of study. Students who have completed 30 credit hours may be admitted to the B.I.S. degree.

In order to pursue the Bachelor of Integrative Studies degree, the procedures listed below must be followed:

1. Schedule an initial conference with a B.I.S. advisor. During this conference, students will work with an academic advisor to evaluate completed coursework, discuss future academic and career goals and determine a program of study that will be reflected on the degree audit. To schedule an appointment with an advisor in the B.I.S. program, email BIS@kent.edu. More information about the B.I.S. degree can be found on the school's website.
2. When the program of study is completed and approved, the student and advisor declare either the Integrative Studies-General concentration or the Integrative Studies-Two Minors concentration. College approval of this form completes admission to the program.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Integrate theoretical and empirical material from across traditional disciplines.
2. Design, research and execute a scholarly project of high quality.
3. Articulate connections between their chosen coursework at Kent State and their plans to make a contribution to their community after graduation.

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

¹

A minimum C grade must be earned to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.

²

Students are encouraged to complete internships or utilize individual investigations for more nuanced work; the total hours that can be completed in internship (xxx92) and/or individual investigation (xxx96) courses can not total more than 15 hours.

³

The Integrative Studies-General concentration allows students to choose a minimum of 30 credit hours from a minimum of two interrelated programs that support their career aspirations. 

⁴

The Integrative Studies-Two Minors concentration allows students to complete two university-recognized minors and/or certificates. Students select courses from a minimum of two academic departments and develop a rationale for the ways in which these courses support their career goals.

Graduation Requirements

• The B.I.S. degree requires a minimum total of 120 earned credit hours, of which 39 credit hours must be at the upper-division (30000-40000) level.
• Students in both the Integrative Studies-General concentration and the Integrative Studies-Two Minors concentration are required to complete IGST 40099, as well as all university requirements and college requirements.

• Delivery:
  • Fully online
  • In person
• Location:
  • Ashtabula Campus
  • East Liverpool Campus
  • Geauga Campus
  • Kent Campus
  • Salem Campus
  • Stark Campus
  • Trumbull Campus
  • Tuscarawas Campus