Bachelor of Science in Physics
About This Program
The Bachelor of Science in Physics provides students with rigorous training in Physics, designed to prepare them for a career in science, technology, and/or engineering research.
Physics majors are encouraged to participate in research projects for course credit or financial reward under faculty guidance. This allows undergraduate students to gain hands-on experience in a variety of research disciplines, including astrophysics, biophysics, computational physics, high-energy physics, medical physics, optics, space physics, and theoretical and experimental condensed matter physics.
Competencies
- Graduates will gain a strong understanding of fundamental physics concepts like mechanics, electromagnetism, quantum mechanics, and thermodynamics, and in-depth knowledge in chosen areas of specialization within physics, such as condensed matter physics, astrophysics, or particle physics.
- Graduates will gain the ability to apply mathematical tools and computational methods to solve complex physics problems.
- Graduates will develop experimental skills and competence in designing and conducting experiments, analyzing data, and reporting findings.
- Graduates will develop the ability to undertake independent research, including literature reviews, methodology development, data analysis, and scientific communication.
- Graduates will develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills by analyzing complex physical systems, formulating precise scientific questions, and applying appropriate theoretical and experimental methods to find effective solutions.
- Graduates will develop the ability to clearly and effectively communicate scientific information both verbally and in writing.
- Graduates will be able to understand complex concepts, interpret data, and construct logical arguments.
- Graduates will gain proficiency in using appropriate software and programming languages for data analysis and computational modeling.
- Graduates will be able to articulate the skills and knowledge they have gained and apply them to future career or educational goals.
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 Communications select: | ||
| RHETORIC AND COMPOSITION I | ||
Any Communications Core Course | ||
| For Life & Physical Science select: | ||
| GENERAL TECHNICAL PHYSICS I and GENERAL TECHNICAL PHYSICS II (C or better in PHYS 1443 required ) | ||
| For Mathmatics select: | ||
| CALCULUS I | ||
| For Foundational Component Area Option select: | ||
| CALCULUS II | ||
| 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 | MATH 2425 | 4 |
| ENGL 1301 | 3 | Communication Core | 3 |
| US History (Part 1) | 3 | US History (Part 2) | 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 | 3 | Social & Behavoiral Science | 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 | 3-4 | MATH 4000-level elective | 3 |
| POLS 2311 | 3 | Language, Philosophy & Culture | 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 | Component Area Option | 3 |
| General elective | 3 | General elective(s) | 4 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total Hours: 120-122 | |||