B.S. in Physics
The BS degree is for students planning careers in physics or related areas such as engineering. It provides rigorous, in-depth coverage in the areas of mechanics, electromagnetism, quantum mechanics, and thermodynamics. Students also acquire knowledge of electrical circuits and the laboratory skills necessary to succeed in experimental physics. With this degree, students are well prepared for graduate studies in physics. Some of our BS majors have also gone on to study optics, medical physics, and engineering in graduate school.
B.S. CURRICULUM
The Physics Academic Program
The BS major in physics requires 38 hours in Physics and must include the following courses:
- 113 or 123
- 114 or 124
- 215
- 230
- 262
- 265
- 266
- 301 (twice)
- 337
- 339
- 340
- 341
- 343
- 344
- The remaining three hours may be satisfied with any other 300-level course(s) in the department except 381.
In addition, MTH 205 (with a grade of C or better), MTH 113 (with a grade of C or better), and one math elective are required. The math elective can be satisfied by any 3-hour 200 or higher-level mathematics, statistics, or computer science course except MTH 381, 391 and 392, STA 383, 391 and 392, and CSC 391 and 393.
At least one course in computer science is strongly recommended for all majors. We recommend CSC 102 for all majors unless they are interested in pursuing computer science more formally, in which case we recommend CSC 111.
Students may substitute MTH 121 and 251 in place of MTH 205. Students may wish to consider pursuing a minor in mathematics. Students may also substitute CHM 341 in place of PHY 341, and those hours will count towards the 38 hours in physics. Students must earn a minimum grade of C in MTH 113, MTH 205, or in the substituted MTH 121 and 251 courses.
| Year | Fall | Spring | ||
| Course | Hours | Course | Hours | |
| Freshman | General Phy 113 or 123* Calculus MTH 111 | 4 4 | General Phy 114 or 124* Calculus MTH 112 | 4 4 |
| Sophomore | Elem Mod Phy 215 Intermediate Lab 265 Diff Eqn & Lin Alg MTH 205 | 3 1 4 | Mechanics 262 Intermediate Lab 266 Electronics 230 Multivariable MTH 113 | 3 1 3 4 |
| Junior | Analytical Mech. 337 Elec. & Mag 339 Quantum Phys 343 Physics Seminar 301 | 1.5 1.5 3 0.5 | Elec. & Mag 340 Quantum Phys 344 Physics Seminar 301 | 3 3 0.5 |
| Senior | Physics Seminar 301** PHY/MTH elective | 0.5 3 | MTH/PHY elective Physics Seminar 301** Thermodynamics 341 | 3 0.5 3 |
*Phy 123 and 124 are recommended for physics majors.
**Four semesters of physics seminar is encouraged but only two semesters are required.
| Fall | Spring | |||
| Year | Course | Hours | Course | Hours |
| Sophomore | General Phy 123* or 113 Calculus MTH 111 | 4 4 | General Phy 124* or 114 Calculus MTH 112 | 4 4 |
| Junior | Elem Mod Phy 215 Intermediate Lab 265 Diff Eqn & Lin Alg MTH 205 Physics Seminar 301** | 3 1 4 0.5 | Mechanics 262 Intermediate Lab 266 Multivariable MTH 113 Electronics 230 Physics Seminar 301** | 3 1 4 3 0.5 |
| Senior | Analytical Mech 337 Elec & Mag 339 Quantum Phys 343 MTH/PHY elective Physics Seminar 301** | 1.5 1.5 3 3 0.5 | Elec & Mag 340 Quantum Phys 344 PHY/MTH elective Thermodynamics 341 Physics Seminar 301** | 3 3 3 3 0.5 |
*Phy 123 and 124 are recommended for physics majors.
**Four semesters of physics seminar is encouraged but only two semesters are required.
The BS major in physics requires 38 hours in physics. The remaining three hours may be satisfied with any additional 300-level course(s) in the department including research, Phy 381. These courses may be taken at any time after the necessary prerequisites have been satisfied.
OPPORTUNITIES
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