Nov 23, 2024

2019-20 Undergraduate Bulletin

2019-20 Undergraduate Bulletin ARCHIVED

Physics, B.S.

Programs for physics majors vary with the student’s goals and interests. The recommended curriculum for the student preparing for graduate study in physics or employment as a professional physicist is detailed below. Students interested in both physics and engineering may wish to consider the Physics/Engineering Dual Degree, B.S. or engineering physics programs described on the department’s page. The minimum course requirements for a major in physics consist of 37 hours of physics, astronomy and engineering, of which 26 hours must be advanced. This must include PHY 241 , PHY 242 , PHY 321 (or EGR 321 ), PHY 333 , PHY 347 , PHY 430 , PHY 431 , PHY 440 , PHY 441 and PHY 470 plus three hours from PHY 250 (or EGR 250 ), PHY 215 (or EGR 215 ), PHY 343 (or EGR 343 ), AST 305 or AST 335 , or special problems (PHY 475 or PHY 476 ). CHE 133 and CHE 134 also are required.

Recommended Curriculum for Majors in Physics

During the summer prior to beginning the program outlined below, students unprepared for MTH 233 are encouraged to enroll for preparatory mathematics courses equivalent to MTH 133 , MTH 138 and MTH 139 . Students who cannot obtain the preparatory mathematics before beginning this program may, in consultation with the physics faculty, work out an alternate plan, that leads to the B.S. with a major in physics.

Students majoring in physics regularly minor in mathematics. Many elect to pursue a double major in physics and mathematics. The following recommended curriculum includes courses meeting the requirements for a major in physics and a minor in mathematics. To obtain a double major in physics and mathematics, students should take additional mathematics courses in place of electives to meet the requirements listed in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics .

1. University Core Curriculum Requirements

A. Communication

Three hours from:

ENG 131 - Rhetoric and Composition Credit(s): 3
or
ENG 133 - Honors Composition: Analysis, Argument and Research Credit(s): 3

Three hours from:

COM 111 - Public Speaking Credit(s): 3
COM 170 - Interpersonal Communication I Credit(s): 3
COM 215 - Teamwork and Group Communication Credit(s): 3

B. Mathematics

Three hours from:

MTH 233 - Calculus I Credit(s): 3

C. Life and Physical Sciences

Six hours from:

CHE 133 - General Chemistry I Credit(s): 3
CHE 134 - General Chemistry II Credit(s): 3

D. Language, Philosophy and Culture

Three hours from:

ENG 200 - Introduction to Literature Credit(s): 3
ENG 209 - Introduction to Mythology Credit(s): 3
ENG 211 - World Literature to 1650 Credit(s): 3
ENG 212 - World Literature from 1650 Credit(s): 3
ENG 221 - British Literature to 1800 Credit(s): 3
ENG 222 - British Literature from 1800 Credit(s): 3
ENG 229 - American Literature to 1865 Credit(s): 3
ENG 230 - American Literature from 1865 Credit(s): 3
ENG 233H - Literary Genres Credit(s): 3
HIS 151 - Western Civilization to 1500 Credit(s): 3
HIS 152 - Western Civilization Since 1500 Credit(s): 3
HIS 161 - World History to 1500 Credit(s): 3
HIS 162 - World History Since 1500 Credit(s): 3
PHI 153 - Introduction to Philosophy Credit(s): 3
PHI 223 - Introduction to Ethics Credit(s): 3

E. Creative Arts

Three hours from:

ART 280 - Art Appreciation Credit(s): 3
ART 281 - Art History Survey I Credit(s): 3
ART 282 - Art History Survey II Credit(s): 3
DAN 140 - Dance Appreciation Credit(s): 3
MHL 245 - Intro to Music Literature Credit(s): 3
MUS 140 - Music Appreciation Credit(s): 3
THR 161 - Theatre Appreciation Credit(s): 3
THR 163 - Film and Culture Credit(s): 3

F. American History

Six hours from:

HIS 133 - U.S. History Survey, 1000-1877 Credit(s): 3
HIS 134 - U.S. History Survey, 1877-Present Credit(s): 3

G. Government/Political Science

Six hours from:

PSC 141 - Introduction to American Government: Theory and Politics Credit(s): 3
PSC 142 - Introduction to American Government: Structure and Functions Credit(s): 3

H. Social and Behavioral Sciences

Three hours from:

ANT 231 - Cultural Anthropology Credit(s): 3
ECO 231 - Principles of Macroeconomics Credit(s): 3
ECO 232 - Principles of Microeconomics Credit(s): 3
GEO 131 - World Regional Geography Credit(s): 3
PSY 133 - General Psychology Credit(s): 3
SOC 137 - Introduction to Sociology Credit(s): 3

I. Component Area Option

Three hours from:

ENG 132 - Research and Argument Credit(s): 3

Three hours from:

BCM 247 - Business Communication Credit(s): 3
ENG 273 - Technical and Scientific Writing Credit(s): 3
FRE 131 - Elementary French Credit(s): 3
FRE 132 - Elementary French Credit(s): 3
GER 131 - Elementary German I Credit(s): 3
GER 132 - Elementary German II Credit(s): 3
POR 131 - Elementary Portuguese I Credit(s): 3
POR 132 - Elementary Portuguese II Credit(s): 3
SPA 131 - Elementary Spanish I Credit(s): 3
SPA 132 - Elementary Spanish II Credit(s): 3
SPH 172 - Beginning American Sign Language Credit(s): 3
SPH 272 - Intermediate American Sign Language Credit(s): 3

Curriculum (120 hours)

Freshman Year (29 hours)

Fall

CHE 133 - General Chemistry I Credit(s): 3
CHE 133L - General Chemistry I Lab Credit(s): 1
MTH 233 - Calculus I Credit(s): 3
MTH 233L - Calculus I Lab Credit(s): 1
PHY 108 - Introduction to Engineering/Physics Credit(s): 3
Required English Credit(s): 3

14 hours

Spring

CHE 134 - General Chemistry II Credit(s): 3
CHE 134L - General Chemistry II Lab Credit(s): 1
MTH 234 - Calculus II Credit(s): 3
MTH 234L - Calculus II Lab Credit(s): 1
PHY 241 - Technical Physics I Credit(s): 3 *
PHY 241L - Technical Physics I Laboratory Credit(s): 1
Required English Credit(s): 3

15 hours

Sophomore Year (32 hours)

Fall

Elective Credit(s): 3
HIS 133 - U.S. History Survey, 1000-1877 Credit(s): 3
MTH 333 - Calculus III Credit(s): 3
MTH 333L - Calculus III Lab Credit(s): 1
PHY 242 - Technical Physics II Credit(s): 3 *
PHY 242L - Technical Physics II Laboratory Credit(s): 1

14 hours

Spring

Core requirements Credit(s): 6
CSC 102 - Computer Science Principles Credit(s): 3
HIS 134 - U.S. History Survey, 1877-Present Credit(s): 3
PHY 321 - Engineering Dynamics Credit(s): 4

16 hours

Junior Year (31-33 hours)

Fall

Core requirements Credit(s): 3
Elective Credit(s): 3
MTH 317 - Linear Algebra Credit(s): 3
PHY 333 - Modern Physics Credit(s): 3
PHY 333L - Modern Physics Laboratory Credit(s): 1
PSC 141 - Introduction to American Government: Theory and Politics Credit(s): 3

16 hours

Spring

Core requirements Credit(s): 3
Elective Credit(s): 3
MTH 337 - Differential Equations Credit(s): 3
PHY 430 - Thermodynamics Credit(s): 3
or
PHY 441 - Optics Credit(s): 4
PSC 142 - Introduction to American Government: Structure and Functions Credit(s): 3

15-16 hours

Senior Year (25-28 hours)

Fall

Core requirement Credit(s): 3
Electives Credit(s): 6
PHY 347 - Mathematical Applications in Physics I Credit(s): 3
PHY 431 - Introductory Quantum Mechanics Credit(s): 3

15 hours

Spring

Electives Credit(s): 6
PHY 440 - Introduction to Electricity and Magnetism Credit(s): 3
PHY 430 - Thermodynamics Credit(s): 3
or
PHY 441 - Optics Credit(s): 4
PHY 470 - Undergraduate Research and Technical Presentations Credit(s): 1-2

14-15 hours

Note:

For the electives listed, three to four hours must be department electives from PHY 215 , PHY 250 , PHY 343 , PHY 475 , PHY 476 , AST 305 or AST 335 .

*Not open to students with junior and senior physics major or minor standing without approval of the chair of the department.