Although most upper-level physics courses include significant computer work, a physics major might wish to supplement his or her program with additional formal work in computer acience for various reasons. The physical laws that underlie the operation of a modern electronic computer are interesting in their own right. 

The concentration for physics majors includes a study of these laws.Furthermore, the computer is ubiquitous in physics research and teaching as presently practiced: it greatly facilitates the work of the experimenter; in the hands of the theorist it is a marvelous tool for simulating physical systems. In physics pedagogy there is much interest in using computers to make physics learning more experiential and in teaching sophisticated problem solving skills. The CS concentration for physics majors increases the effectiveness with which this tool can be used by providing an introduction to computer science, programming, and the use of computers in the lab. It also provides preparation for careers with a focus in computation or computer science.