Mar 28, 2024  
University Catalog 2017-2018 
    
University Catalog 2017-2018 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Physics (BS)


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Physics Curriculum (BS)


Requirements for a Major in Physics

Each student majoring in physics is required to follow the physics curriculum leading to the Bachelor of Science degree in physics.

For students interested in interdisciplinary fields involving physics, it is suggested that the physics curriculum be followed with all electives taken in the other field of interest. Some interdisciplinary fields are listed with the appropriate elective field in parentheses: astrophysics (astronomy), geophysics (geology), materials science (chemistry and engineering), biophysics (microbiology), mathematical physics (mathematics), solid state (chemistry and engineering).

Freshman Year


Natural Sciences (GER)


English (GER)


Humanities (GER)


Mathematics (GER)


Major Courses


Total: 30 SCH


Sophomore Year


Fine Arts (GER)


Humanities (GER)


  • Humanities (GER) 3 Semester Credit Hours

Social/Behavioral Sciences (GER)


  • Social/Behavioral Sciences (GER) 3 Semester Credit Hours

Major Courses


Total: 30 SCH


Junior Year


Humanities (GER)


  • Humanities (GER) 3 Semester Credit Hours

Social/Behavioral Sciences (GER)


  • Social/Behavioral Sciences (GER) 3 Semester Credit Hours

Major Courses


Total: 29 SCH


Senior Year


Major Courses


Total: 31 SCH


Total Semester Hours 120


*Directed electives can be chosen from advanced Physics, Mathematics, Engineering, Computer Science, or Chemistry courses and must include at least one computer programming course such as CSC 120 , MEEN 292 , or ELEN 242 .

Double Degree in Electrical Engineering and Physics


If your primary degree and major is Electrical Engineering, the following changes to the Physics curriculum will allow you to obtain a second degree with a major in Physics:

  • Substitute ENGR 122  for PHYS 102  and PHYS 103  (i.e. project-based freshman design course);
  • Add PHYS 261  and PHYS 262  sophomore labs not required in the ELEN curriculum;
  • Substitute ENGR 222  for PHYS 307 ;
  • Substitute ELEN 411 , for PHYS 406  and PHYS 407 ;
  • Substitute ELEN 223  for PHYS 408  and PHYS 409 ;
  • Substitute ELEN courses for PHYS directed electives, as long as the electives include one computational course;
  • Student can concurrently enroll in PHYS 435  with Senior Design. Senior design project can count toward PHYS 435  research requirement if turned in to completely satisfy course requirements of PHYS 435 .

Total additional requirements are 25 semester credit hours (PHYS 304 , PHYS 422 , PHYS 423 , PHYS 416 , PHYS 417 , PHYS 418 , PHYS 419 , PHYS 424 , plus sophomore labs, plus PHYS 435  which can be concurrent with senior design) to add a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Physics.

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