Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Physics
Requirements may differ according to date of enrollment. Current students should check their 
college catalog.
To meet the requirements for a Bachelor of Science in Physics, students must complete the core courses listed below as well as one of the tracks I-VI.
| Course Number | Title | Credit Hours |
| Physics Core (24 credit hours): |
| PHYS 230-231 |
University Physics I & II
and PHYS 232-233 (Labs) |
10 |
| PHYS 234 |
Modern Physics |
4 |
| PHYS 330 |
Thermodynamics |
3 |
| PHYS 400 |
Undergraduate Seminar |
1 |
| PHYS 425 |
Mathematical Physics I |
3 |
| PHYS 431 |
Intro. to Quantum Mechanics |
3 |
and supporting math courses:
|
| MATH 122-123-22 |
University Calculus I, II & III |
12 |
| MATH 224 |
Differential Equations |
3 |
|
| PHYS 331 |
Theoretical Mechanics |
3 |
| PHYS 333 |
Electricity and Magnetism |
3 |
| PHYS 426 |
Mathematical Physics II |
3 |
| Plus 6 additional credit hours of physics from 321-479, 490 |
6 |
Total 15 credit hours
Plus 15 additional credit hours of science, mathematics, computer science, engineering, or education, including CSIT 106 or 121. Recommended courses include MATH 231 and CHEM 115-116 (w/125-126).
|
|
|
| PHYS 333 |
Electricity and Magnetism |
3 |
| PHYS 340-341 |
Optics & Lab |
4 |
| PHYS 426 |
Mathematical Physics II |
3 |
| Experimental Physics Project (independent study or tutorial) |
1 |
Plus 4 additional credit hours of physics from 321-479, 490
Total 15 credit hours
Plus 15 additional credit hours of science, mathematics, computer science, engineering, or education, including CSIT 106 or 121. CHEM 115-116 (w/125-126) is strongly recommended. STAT 250 or 350 and MATH 231 are recommended.
|
|
| PHYS 331 |
Theoretical Mechanics |
3 |
| PHYS 333 |
Electricity and Magnetism |
3 |
| PHYS 426 |
Mathematical Physics II |
3 |
Computational Physics Project (independent study or tutorial) 1
Plus 4 additional credit hours of physics from 321-479, 490
Total 14 credit hours
Plus the following courses (13 credit hours): |
| MATH 231 |
Linear Algebra |
4 |
| MATH 325 |
Numerical Analysis |
3 |
| CSIT 106 |
C++ Programming |
3 |
| or CSIT 221 |
Computer Science I |
|
| CSIT221 |
Computer Science II |
3 |
STAT 350 is recommended.
|
|
| PHYS 321 |
Engineering Mechanics I |
4 |
| PHYS 426 |
Mathematical Physics II |
3 |
| PHYS 331 |
Theoretical Mechanics |
|
| or PHYS 333 |
Electricity and Magnetism |
3 |
| PHYS 323 |
Circuit Analysis I |
|
| or PHYS 325/327 |
Digital Logic & Lab |
3-4 |
| or PHYS 326/328 |
Electronics & Lab |
|
Total 13-14 credit hours
Plus 15 additional credit hours of science, mathematics, computer science, engineering, or education, including CSIT 106 or 121 and at least one additional course from PHYS 322 through 328 and 340/341 as advised. Students interested in electrical engineering should take PHYS 323 and 324 while students interested in non-electrical engineering should take PHYS 322. CHEM 115-116 (w/125-126) is strongly recommended and required by most engineering schools.
Note: affiliated engineering institutions may have additional requirements for courses and/or grades.
|
This track is excellent preparation for the expanding field of patent and intellectual property law, which requires substantial technical and mathematical knowledge in order to sit for the required licensing exam.
|
| PHYS 340-341 |
Optics & Lab |
4 |
Plus 9 additional credit hours of physics from 321-479
Plus the following courses (15 credit hours):
|
| STAT 250 or 350 |
Statistics |
3 |
| POLI 276 |
Law and Society |
3 |
| POLI 277 |
Introduction to Law |
|
| or BUAD 310 |
Legal Environment of Business |
3 |
| PHIL 106 |
Critical Thinking |
|
| or PHIL 116 |
Deductive Logic |
3 |
| PHIL 218 |
Intro. to Ethics |
|
| or PHIL 310 |
Business Ethics |
3 |
POLI 370 Constitutional Law and CHEM 115-116 (w/125-126) are recommended.
In fulfilling Core College Curriculum requirements, students are advised to take ECON 201 or 202 and PSY 129.
|
Physics majors are highly sought by medical schools, because mathematical and problem-solving abilities stressed in physics are more than ever needed in today's medical fields. Due to their relative rarity, physics majors stand out in the applicant pool. Sufficient time is allotted to take the biology and chemistry courses required by most medical schools and needed to prepare for the MCAT exam. This program may also be followed by students preparing for graduate school in biophysics or related fields.
|
| PHYS 340-341 |
Optics w/lab |
|
| or PHYS 325-327 |
Electronics w/lab |
4 |
| CHEM 215-216 w/225-226 |
Organic Chemistry w/labs |
8 |
| |
|
12 credit hours |
Plus the following courses:
|
| CHEM 115-116 w/125-126 |
General Chemistry w/labs |
8 |
| BIOL 131-132 |
Principles of Biology I & Lab |
4 |
| BIOL 133-134 |
Principles of Biology II & Lab |
4 |
| BIOL 237-238 |
Genetic & Lab |
4 |
| BIOL 336-337 |
Mammalian Physiology & Lab |
4 |
| |
|
24 credit hours |
In fulfilling College Core Curriculum requirements, students are advised to take an English course in addition to ENGL 100, and also PSY 129. If time permits, BIOL 333 Biochemistry and BIOL 338 Microbiology are also recommended.
|
| |
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A 2.0 GPA in the set of all physics courses used to satisfy the major plus the four required math courses is required for graduation. Interested students should contact the chair of the physics department for current requirements.
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