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    Dec 12, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Physics, BSPHY


A Bachelor of Science in physics gives you the strong math, problem solving and analytical skills needed to study the structure and interaction of matter and energy — the way things work.


Degree requirements

Hours required and general/college requirements


A minimum of 120 semester hours, of which 42 must be advanced, and fulfillment of degree requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree as specified in the University Core Curriculum  in the Academic policies  section of this catalog and the College of Science degree requirements .

Major requirements


Minor requirements


Option II requires a minor in mathematics and science secondary teaching or a minor in physical science secondary teaching or a minor in general engineering technology. Students seeking secondary teacher certification should see requirements listed under Teacher Certification .

Electives


Hours required for electives may vary based on course selection and the University Core Curriculum requirements . Electives may be required to satisfy the advanced hour requirement (42) and/or the minimum total hours required for the degree. For specific information, see an academic advisor in the College of Science.

Other requirements


Substitutions in the BA or BS degree programs may be made only with the written consent of the department chair. A minimum grade point average of 2.5 in all advanced-level science and mathematics courses is required for graduation with a degree in physics.

Four-year degree plan (example)


The following four-year plan is one example of a variety of ways in which you can complete your chosen degree in four years, and will serve as a guide for you to design your pathway to degree completion. Variations will depend on whether you need to take prerequisites or have college credit from exams or dual enrollment.

Year 1

Semester 1 Semester 2
CHEM 1410 - General Chemistry for Science Majors   3 hours    CHEM 1420 - General Chemistry for Science Majors   3 hours   
CHEM 1430 - Laboratory Sequence for General Chemistry   1 hour    CHEM 1440 - Laboratory Sequence for General Chemistry   1 hour   
MATH 1710 - Calculus I   4 hours    MATH 1720 - Calculus II   3 hours   
Communication core   3 hours Communication core   3 hours
Elective 3 hours Physics Foundation Course & Lab 4 hours
Total 14 hours Total 14 hours

 

Year 2

Semester 1 Semester 2
MATH 2730 - Multivariable Calculus   3 hours    MATH 2700 - Linear Algebra and Vector Geometry   3 hours   
Government/Political Science core   3 hours  PHYS 3010 - Modern Physics   3 hours   
Language, Philosophy and Culture core   3 hours  PHYS 3030 - Laboratory in Modern Physics   1 hour   
Physics Foundations Seq 2 Course & Lab 4 hours  Creative Arts core   3 hours 
Elective 3 hours  Government/Political Science core   3 hours 
    Elective 2 hours
Total 16 hours Total 15 hours

 

Year 3

Semester 1 Semester 2
MATH 3410 - Differential Equations I   3 hours    PHYS 3420 - Electronics   4 hours    
PHYS 3210 - Mechanics   3 hours    PHYS 3510 - Physics, Computation and Software Applications   3 hours   
PHYS 3310 - Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences   3 hours    PHYS 4110 - Statistical and Thermal Physics   3 hours   
American History core   3 hours  American History core   3 hours 
Elective - advanced 3 hours  Social and Behavioral Sciences core   3 hours 
Total 15 hours Total 16 hours

 

Year 4

Semester 1 Semester 2
PHYS 4210 - Electricity and Magnetism   3 hours    PHYS 4310 - Quantum Mechanics   3 hours  
PHYS 4950 - Senior Thesis   3 hours    PHYS 4955 - Senior Thesis Capstone   3 hours   
Advanced PHYS Elective (BA) 3 hours  Advanced PHYS Elective (BA) 3 hours 
Advanced PHYS Elective (BA) 3 hours  Elective 3 hours 
Elective 3 hours  Elective 3 hours 
Total 15 hours  Total 15 hours