Bachelor of Arts in Physics

at Navitas Group - Queens College, City University of New York USA

The Mathematics Department has a large faculty who are well-known researchers in such areas as algebra, analysis, applied mathematics, combinatorics, dynamics, geometry and topology, logic, mathematical physics, and number theory. With its many resources, the department can offer a substantial curriculum to students who share a passion for mathematics yet seek a wide variety of professional goals.

There are four concentrations, responding to different student interests. Some graduates aim to conduct research and teach mathematics at the college level, while others hope to teach mathematics in elementary or secondary schools. Some are interested in applied areas like computer science, the natural sciences, statistics, or actuarial work.

Physics is one of the most demanding majors offered at Queens College, and it attracts exceptional students. In small classes taught by distinguished faculty, students benefit from an adaptable curriculum of theory and applied science, including courses that teach experimental skills, mathematical physics, and the principles of both classical and modern physics, such as mechanics, thermodynamics, electromagnetism, and special and general relativity. Electives explore connections between physics and other sciences, such as telecommunications and computer science. Students are encouraged to participate in the faculty’s internationally recognized experimental and theoretical research programs in optics, magnetic thin films, polymer surfaces, quantum dots and nanowires, multiple quantum wells, and photonic integration.

The Latin American & Latino Studies (LALS) program offers disciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches to understanding Latin America and the Caribbean, and the movements and settlement of the peoples and cultures of those regions in the United States. It combines Latin American, Puerto Rican, and Latino ethnic studies.

Courses give students a detailed knowledge of the development, institutions, language, and customs of Latin America. They cover such topics as the physical environment, arts and music, culture, and economic and political history. Most courses are conducted in English, with the exception of those on language and literature.

Labor studies is an interdisciplinary field concerning the world of work, workers, and employment. Students gain an understanding of the labor force, workers’ organizations, and labor-management relations.

Coursework covers such core material as technology, labor, industry, and occupations; the labor force; the labor movement; and theories of work, the workplace, and organization. Students concentrate in economics, sociology, or urban studies, developing skills in those areas and learning to perform quantitative analysis.

A degree in labor studies prepares graduates to pursue careers in labor relations, whether working for labor organizations, business, or government. In addition, it can be a stepping stone to law or graduate school.

Middle Eastern Studies concern the language, culture, and civilization of one of the world’s great cultures. An interdisciplinary major, it encourages students to achieve proficiency in at least one regional language while completing core and elective coursework in the history, literature, religions, and contemporary societies of the Middle East.

A major in Middle Eastern Studies can lead in several directions. Students have a solid foundation for advanced study in graduate school. Alternatively, various career paths are open, with needs for knowledge of the Middle East in museums and other cultural institutions, publishing, the arts, and education. Careers may also be pursued in business, journalism, government, international agencies, and nonprofit organizations.

French has been an international language for hundreds of years, and is often called the language of diplomacy. Today it is spoken by more than 200 million people in over 40 countries. The French language plays a major role in global business, diplomacy, and culture. The French and Francophone literary, artistic, and philosophical traditions exert a profound influence on the contemporary world.

Students receive instruction in speaking, reading, and writing French, and study French literature, arts, and culture. Majors and minors are encouraged to immerse themselves in both language and culture through the CUNY/Paris Exchange Program as well as programs available at the French embassy.

Cultural knowledge, along with the ability to use a foreign language, are essential components of a liberal arts education. In addition to language courses, the faculty of this department offers a wide variety of literature and culture courses both in English and in foreign languages. Students who already know the languages are able to take advanced courses to enrich their understanding of the humanities in these traditions; sequences of such courses can become important components of interdisciplinary concentrations, minors, or double-majors that complement a student's primary field of study. "In-translation" courses give students an understanding of the ancient Western and Asian classics, and of various modern Asian, Middle Eastern, and Mediterranean cultures.

History, at its simplest, is a story of what happened in the past, but it is also concerned with very contemporary issues such as equity, social structure, contested meanings and values, and relations between near and far places. At its core are the aims, methods, and results of historical research.

Students receive excellent training in research skills involving qualitative and quantitative primary sources. They learn to evaluate sources, weigh facts, write coherent accounts of the past, and make arguments. They also become attentive to history beyond the traditional national and Western frameworks.

Historical studies provide the background needed for graduate work in law, journalism, library science, and history doctoral programs. The coursework also provides essential skills for those planning careers in business or government. History is the best major for those planning to teach social studies on the secondary level in addition to being an excellent major for those hoping to teach in elementary school.

Students studying Studio Art at Queens College can choose to receive a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Fine Arts, both of which prepare students for careers in the art field, such as fine art, illustration, photography or other creative professions. Students receive a comprehensive foundation of techniques and conceptual skills across many disciplines and genres and can concentrate in a variety of media including painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking and ceramics. Our faculty introduce students to new media and techniques to broaden their horizons while helping each student to develop his or her own style and vision.

The program in International Business prepares graduates to deal effectively with contemporary economic environments. Coursework emphasizes accounting, business, mathematics, and economics. Students prepare for private- and public-sector careers—whether in corporations and finance (for example, multinational corporations, export-import firms, and banks) or in government and agencies concerned with international trade, finance, and economic development.