In Physics, one attempts to discover, formulate, explain, and apply the basic laws of nature. Physicists work in areas as diverse as astrophysics, relativity, properties of materials, or the standard model of fundamental particles and interactions. The Principles of Physics provide the foundation for other sciences as well as engineering. Some of the examples of modern technological development from the application of physical principles include radio and television, computers, laser scanners, and communication by fiber optics. In addition, physicists explore problems in astronomy and theories for the origin and evolution of the universe.<br><br>At Cal State East Bay students can choose between a Bachelor of Science (B.S) degree and a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree with a major in Physics. The B.S. degree major program is designed to give students an understanding of the fundamentals of physics including concepts of atomic and nuclear physics, classical mechanics, wave motion and sound, electromagnetism and optics, heat and thermodynamics, relativity, quantum mechanics, and elementary particles and their interactions.<br><br>Whereas the B.S. degree provides more focus, the B.A. degree major program is designed to satisfy the needs of students who require greater breadth of study across the sciences than the B.S. program can provide. Students who might be more interested in the B.A. degree, for example, would be prospective secondary-school teachers, or students who wish to pursue interdisciplinary study (e.g., in biophysics), or graduate study in professional programs (e.g., in the health sciences), business, or law in technical fields. For those students interested in becoming secondary-school teachers, an option in Physics Education is available which has a larger breadth of science courses required for teaching in California.