Physics Major (B.S.)
In addition to meeting the Core Curriculum requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences, each degree candidate must complete at least 68 hours (30 hours for Five-Year Dual Degree Physics/Engineering Program) of the following coursework for the first three years. Students must complete six credits at the 2000-level before taking any 3000-level courses.
Link to College Core requirement.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Physics Core Requirements | ||
| PHYS 1705 & 1705 | Principles of Physics I and Principles of Physics I | 6 |
| PHYS 1815 & PHYS 1816 | Physics Lab and Data Analy I and Physics Lab and Data Analy II | 3 |
| PHYS 2112 | Phys Appl of Math Techniques | 4 |
| PHYS 2185 | Intro to Modern Physics | 4 |
| PHYS 2186 | Waves and Oscillations | 3 |
| PHYS 2883 | Electronics I | 3 |
| PHYS 3119 | Math Methods of Physics I | 4 |
| PHYS 3121 | Mechanics I | 3 |
| PHYS 3185 | Electricity and Magnetism I | 3 |
| PHYS 3217 | Modern Optics | 3 |
| Select one or two of the following: | 6-12 | |
| Advanced Laboratory I and Advanced Laboratory II | ||
| Advanced Laboratory III and Advanced Laboratory IV | ||
| Other Required Courses | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4-5 | |
| Principles of Chemistry I | ||
| General Chemistry I and General Chemistry Lab I | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Principles of Chemistry II | ||
| General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Lab | ||
| MATH 1501 & MATH 1511 & MATH 2511 | Calculus I - Math - Phys Sci and Calculus II - Math - Phys Sci and Calculus III - Math - Phys Sci | 12 |
| CSAS 1113 | Computing for Science Majors | 4 |
| Subtotal | 66-73 | |
| Select 12 credits of electives if pursuing graduate work: * | 12 | |
| Physical Chemistry I | ||
| Mechanics II | ||
| Electricity and Magnetism II | ||
| Quantum Mechanics I and Quantum Mechanics II | ||
| Statistical Physics | ||
| Subtotal | 12 | |
| Requirements for those pursuing industrial employment: | ||
| CHEM 2215 | Analytical Chemistry I | 4 |
| PHYS 3894 | Physics Internship I | 3 |
| Subtotal | 7 | |
| Total Hours | 85-92 | |
- *
Take a minimum of 12 elective credits from the following list. Students should select courses in consultation with their departmental adviser.
Model Program for B.S. (Physics, Physics/Engineering) and for B.A. Physics
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | |
| PHYS 1705 | Principles of Physics I | 3 |
| PHYS 1815 | Physics Lab and Data Analy I | 2 |
| ENGL 1201 | Core English I | 3 |
| MATH 1501 | Calculus I - Math - Phys Sci | 4 |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| PHYS 1706 | Principles of Physics II | 3 |
| PHYS 1816 | Physics Lab and Data Analy II | 1 |
| ENGL 1202 | Core English II | 3 |
| MATH 1511 | Calculus II - Math - Phys Sci | 4 |
| Hours | 11 | |
| Second Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| PHYS 2185 | Intro to Modern Physics | 4 |
| PHYS 2883 | Electronics I | 3 |
| MATH 2511 | Calculus III - Math - Phys Sci | 4 |
| Select one of the following: * | 4 | |
| Principles of Chemistry I | ||
| General Chemistry I and General Chemistry Lab I |
||
| Hours | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| PHYS 2112 | Phys Appl of Math Techniques | 4 |
| PHYS 2186 | Waves and Oscillations | 3 |
| Select one of the following: ** | 4-5 | |
| Principles of Chemistry II | ||
| General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Lab |
||
| Hours | 11-12 | |
| Third Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| PHYS 3119 | Math Methods of Physics I | 4 |
| PHYS 3121 | Mechanics I | 3 |
| PHYS 3185 | Electricity and Magnetism I | 3 |
| PHYS 3815 | Advanced Laboratory II | 2 |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| PHYS 3122 | Mechanics II | 3 |
| PHYS 3217 | Modern Optics | 3 |
| PHYS 3812 | Advanced Laboratory I | 2 |
| PHYS 4211 | Quantum Mechanics I | 3 |
| Elective Courses (see below) | 3 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| PHYS 4812 | Advanced Laboratory III | 2 |
| Elective courses (see below) | 3 | |
| Hours | 5 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| PHYS 4815 | Advanced Laboratory IV | 2 |
| Elective courses (see below) | 3 | |
| Hours | 5 | |
| Total Hours | 85-86 | |
- *
B.A. students must take CHEM 1107 Principles of Chemistry I.
- **
B.A. students must take CHEM 1108 Principles of Chemistry II.
The following electives are recommended:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 1211 | General Biology- Organisms | 3 |
| BIOL 1222 | General Biology-Cell | 3 |
| CHEM 2321 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 2315 | Organic Chemistry I-Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 2322 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 2316 | Organic Chemistry II-Lab | 1 |
| CSAS 1113 | Computing for Science Majors | 4 |
| ENGL 3514 | Scientific and Technical Writing | 3 |
| MATH 2111 | Statistics for Science Majors * | 4 |
| PHIL 2700 | Philosophy of Science | 3 |
| PHYS 3186 | Electricity and Magnetism II | 3 |
| PHYS 4211 | Quantum Mechanics I | 3 |
| PHYS 4212 | Quantum Mechanics II | 3 |
| PHYS 4219 | Statistical Physics | 3 |
| PHYS 4290 | Research in Physics I | 2 |
- *
Prerequisite: MATH 1401 Calculus I
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