Physics (BS)

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.

The Physics program offers directed electives in Medical Physics.  Students follow the physics curriculum (81 credit hours of major courses and 39 credit hours of general education requirement) and the directed electives related to Medical Science.  To satisfy the requirements of postgraduate schools in Medical Fields, throught the major courses and general education requirements, each student will acquire approximately 12 credit hours in biological science, 16 credit hours in chemistry, 15 credit hours in math, 6 credit hours in social behavioral science, and 53 credit hours 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).

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 , PHYS 103 , and PHYS 104   (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 313  and ELEN 411 , for PHYS 406  and PHYS 407 ;
• Substitute ELEN 223  and ELEN 229  for PHYS 404  and PHYS 405 ;
• 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.