Bachelor of Science in Physics
About This Program
The Bachelor of Science in Physics with Engineering Emphasis allows students to augment a rigorous training in Physics with the choice of a minor in a suitable engineering discipline. Thus, students combine a theoretical understanding of the basic physical theories with a practical, more detailed understanding given in the College of Engineering. Such a combination would be a bonus for employment in the engineering-type professions often chosen by Physics majors.
Physics majors are encouraged to participate in research projects under faculty guidance for course credit or financial reward. This way, undergraduate students can gain hands-on experience in various research disciplines, including astrophysics, biophysics, computational physics, high-energy physics, medical physics, optics, space physics, and theoretical and experimental condensed matter physics.
Competencies
- Program graduates will be able identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems using physics, mathematics, and engineering principles.
- Program graduates will be able to communicating technical information, to both technical and non-technical audiences, through written reports, presentations, and other means.
- Program graduate will be able to work effectively in teams and to collaborate with others to achieve goals and objectives.
- Program graduates will be capable of developing and conducting experiments, analyzing data, and drawing conclusions using engineering judgment.
- Program graduates will be able to use computational tools and data analysis techniques to find physics and engineering based solutions to real world problems.
- Program graduates will be able to demonstrate a solid understanding of mathematics and physics principles.
- Graduates will be able to articulate the skills and knowledge they have gained and apply them to future career, employment, or educational goals.
- Program graduates will be able to recognize and apply ethical considerations in engineering situations, understanding the impact of engineering solutions on society and the environment.
Admissions Criteria
Students considering a Physics major should schedule an appointment with the undergraduate advisor in Physics to discuss admissions criteria and degree options.
Curriculum
| Foundations | ||
| General Core Requirements | 42 | |
| Students must complete specific courses in certain core areas. | ||
| For Communication select: | ||
| RHETORIC AND COMPOSITION I and RHETORIC AND COMPOSITION II | ||
| For Life & Physical Science select: | ||
| GENERAL TECHNICAL PHYSICS I and GENERAL TECHNICAL PHYSICS II | ||
| For Mathmatics select: | ||
| CALCULUS I and CALCULUS II | ||
| For US History select: | ||
| HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES TO 1865 | ||
| HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1865 TO PRESENT | ||
| Physics Foundations | ||
| Additional hours required in core. | 4 | |
| Communication Competence - satisfied by PHYS 4117 | ||
| Select one of the following for Computer Science: | 3 | |
| PYTHON FOR DATA SCIENCE 1 | ||
| COMPUTATIONAL PHYSICS | ||
| NUMERICAL ANALYSIS AND COMPUTER APPLICATIONS | ||
Any CSE course numbered 3401 or higher. | ||
Another suitable course approved by undergraduate advisor or chair of the Department of Physics. | ||
| CHEM 1441 & CHEM 1442 | GENERAL CHEMISTRY I and GENERAL CHEMISTRY II | 8 |
| Select two courses for majors from Biology and/or Earth & Environmental Sciences. | 6 | |
| MATH 2326 | CALCULUS III | 3 |
| MATH 3319 | DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS & LINEAR ALGEBRA | 3 |
| or MATH 3318 | DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS | |
| Select any 4000-level MATH course. | 3 | |
| Physics Specialization | ||
| PHYS 2311 | MATHEMATICAL METHODS OF PHYSICS | 3 |
| PHYS 3313 | INTRODUCTION TO MODERN PHYSICS | 3 |
| PHYS 3183 | MODERN PHYSICS LABORATORY | 1 |
| PHYS 3321 | INTERMEDIATE ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM | 3 |
| PHYS 4117 | INDIVIDUAL LEARNING BY SEMINAR | 1 |
| PHYS 4315 | THERMODYNAMICS AND STATISTICAL MECHANICS | 3 |
| PHYS 4319 | ADVANCED MECHANICS | 3 |
| PHYS 4324 | ADVANCED ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM | 3 |
| PHYS 4326 | INTRODUCTION TO QUANTUM MECHANICS | 3 |
| Select 14 hours of PHYS electives approved by an undergraduate advisor or the chair of the Department of Physics. | 14 | |
| Electives | ||
| Select electives sufficent to bring total hours to 120, with 36 hours at the 3000/4000-level. | 11 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
SUGGESTED Course Sequence
Details of a personal course sequence should be made with the guidance of the Physics undergraduate advisor, particularly since many courses in Physics are not offered every semester. Consultation with the Health Professions advisor is also encouraged. For all entering freshmen, it is important to begin the mathematics sequence, starting with MATH 1426 CALCULUS I, in the first semester.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| PHYS 1443 | 4 | PHYS 1444 | 4 |
| MATH 1426 | 4 | ENGL 1302 | 3 |
| ENGL 1301 | 3 | MATH 2425 | 4 |
| HIST 1301 | 3 | HIST 1302 | 3 |
| 14 | 14 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| PHYS 3313 | 3 | PHYS 2311 | 3 |
| MATH 2326 | 3 | PHYS 3183 | 1 |
| MATH 3319 or 3318 | 3 | BIOL, CHEM, or GEOL course for majors | 3-4 |
| Creative Arts core course | 3 | Social & Behavoiral Science core course | 3 |
| CHEM 1441 | 4 | CHEM 1442 | 4 |
| 16 | 14-15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| PHYS 3321 | 3 | PHYS 4324 | 3 |
| Approved PHYS elective | 4 | Approved PHYS elective | 4 |
| Computer Science course | 3-4 | MATH 4000-level elective | 3 |
| POLS 2311 | 3 | Language, Philosophy & Culture core course | 3 |
| General elective | 3 | POLS 2312 | 3 |
| 16-17 | 16 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| PHYS 4315 | 3 | PHYS 4117 | 1 |
| PHYS 4326 | 3 | PHYS 4319 | 3 |
| Approved PHYS course | 3 | Approved PHYS elective | 4 |
| BIOL or GEOL course for majors | 3 | Foundational Component Area core course | 3 |
| General elective | 3 | General Elective(s) | 4 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total Hours: 120-122 | |||