Program Overview

---

University Catalog

The university catalog provides information on the various programs offered by the institution.

Physics Program

The Physics program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the principles of physics and their applications.

Major Requirements - Standard

The standard major in Physics requires a minimum of 120 credits to graduate, with a minimum institutional GPA of 2.00 based on work taken at NDSU. The requirements include:

• Satisfactory completion of all requirements of the curriculum in which one is enrolled.
• Earn a minimum total of 120 credits in approved coursework.
• Satisfactory completion of the general education requirements as specified by the university.
• At least 36 credits presented for graduation must be in courses numbered 300 or higher.
• Transfer Students: Must earn a minimum of 60 credits from a baccalaureate-degree granting or professional institution.

University General Education Requirements

The university general education requirements include:

• Communication (C): 12 credits
• Quantitative Reasoning (R): 3 credits
• Science and Technology (S): 10 credits
• Humanities and Fine Arts (A): 6 credits
• Social and Behavioral Sciences (B): 6 credits
• Wellness (W): 2 credits
• Cultural Diversity (D):
• Global Perspectives (G):

College Requirements

The college requirements include:

• Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree: An additional 12 credits Humanities and Social Sciences and proficiency at the second year level in a modern foreign language.
• Bachelor of Science (BS) Degree: An additional 6 credits in Humanities or Social Sciences.

Major Requirements - Standard

The major requirements for the standard Physics major include:

• PHYS 171: Introductory Projects in Physics (1 credit)
• PHYS 251 and 251L: University Physics I and University Physics I Laboratory (5 credits)
• PHYS 251R: University Physics I Recitation (1 credit)
• PHYS 252 and 252L: University Physics II and University Physics II Laboratory (5 credits)
• PHYS 252R: University Physics II Recitation (1 credit)
• PHYS 350: Modern Physics (3 credits)
• PHYS 355: Classical Mechanics (3 credits)
• PHYS 360: Modern Physics II (3 credits)
• PHYS 361: Electromagnetic Theory (3 credits)
• PHYS 370: Introduction to Computational Physics (3 credits)
• PHYS 411 and 411L: Optics for Scientists & Engineers and Optics for Scientists and Engineers Lab (4 credits)
• PHYS 462: Thermal and Statistical Physics (3 credits)
• PHYS 485: Quantum Mechanics I (3 credits)
• PHYS 486: Quantum Mechanics II (3 credits)
• PHYS 488: Senior Project I (1 credit)
• PHYS 489: Senior Project II (2 credits)
• Physics Electives: Select two from the following (6 credits)
  • PHYS 215: Research For Undergraduates
  • PHYS 413: Lasers for Scientists and Engineers
  • PHYS 415: Elements of Photonics
  • PHYS 481: Condensed Matter Physics
  • MSUM AST: Astronomy courses (300/400 level) with departmental approval
• Related Required Courses:
  • CSCI 160: Computer Science I (4 credits)
  • or ECE 173: Introduction to Computing
  • CSCI 161: Computer Science II (4 credits)
  • MATH 129: Basic Linear Algebra (3 credits)
  • or MATH 329: Intermediate Linear Algebra
  • MATH 165: Calculus I (4 credits)
  • MATH 166: Calculus II (4 credits)
  • MATH 265: Calculus III (4 credits)
  • MATH 266: Introduction to Differential Equations (3 credits)
• MATH Electives: Select 6 credits from the following:
  • MATH 270: Introduction to Abstract Mathematics
  • MATH 400 Level (MATH 488 and MATH 489 are recommended)
• Select one of the following chemistry sequences (4 credits):
  • CHEM 150 and CHEM 160: Principles of Chemistry I and Principles of Chemistry Laboratory I
  • CHEM 121 and 121L: General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory
• Select one of the following chemistry sequences (4 credits):
  • CHEM 151 and CHEM 161: Principles of Chemistry II and Principles of Chemistry Laboratory II
  • CHEM 122 and 122L: General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Laboratory

Major Requirements - Optical Science and Engineering Option

The Optical Science and Engineering Option major in Physics requires a minimum of 120 credits to graduate, with a minimum institutional GPA of 2.00 based on work taken at NDSU. The requirements include:

• Satisfactory completion of all requirements of the curriculum in which one is enrolled.
• Earn a minimum total of 120 credits in approved coursework.
• Satisfactory completion of the general education requirements as specified by the university.
• At least 36 credits presented for graduation must be in courses numbered 300 or higher.
• Transfer Students: Must earn a minimum of 60 credits from a baccalaureate-degree granting or professional institution.

University General Education Requirements

The university general education requirements include:

• Communication (C): 12 credits
• Quantitative Reasoning (R): 3 credits
• Science and Technology (S): 10 credits
• Humanities and Fine Arts (A): 6 credits
• Social and Behavioral Sciences (B): 6 credits
• Wellness (W): 2 credits
• Cultural Diversity (D):
• Global Perspectives (G):

College Requirements

The college requirements include:

• Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree: An additional 12 credits Humanities and Social Sciences and proficiency at the second year level in a modern foreign language.
• Bachelor of Science (BS) Degree: An additional 6 credits in Humanities or Social Sciences.

Major Requirements - Optical Science and Engineering Option

The major requirements for the Optical Science and Engineering Option Physics major include:

• PHYS 171: Introductory Projects in Physics (1 credit)
• PHYS 251 and 251L: University Physics I and University Physics I Laboratory (5 credits)
• PHYS 251R: University Physics I Recitation (1 credit)
• PHYS 252 and 252L: University Physics II and University Physics II Laboratory (5 credits)
• PHYS 252R: University Physics II Recitation (1 credit)
• PHYS 350: Modern Physics (3 credits)
• PHYS 355: Classical Mechanics (3 credits)
• PHYS 360: Modern Physics II (3 credits)
• PHYS 361: Electromagnetic Theory (3 credits)
• PHYS 370: Introduction to Computational Physics (3 credits)
• PHYS 411 and 411L: Optics for Scientists & Engineers and Optics for Scientists and Engineers Lab (4 credits)
• PHYS 413: Lasers for Scientists and Engineers (3 credits)
• PHYS 415: Elements of Photonics (3 credits)
• PHYS 462: Thermal and Statistical Physics (3 credits)
• PHYS 485: Quantum Mechanics I (3 credits)
• PHYS 486: Quantum Mechanics II (3 credits)
• PHYS 488: Senior Project I (1 credit)
• PHYS 489: Senior Project II (2 credits)
• CSCI 160: Computer Science I (4 credits)
• or ECE 173: Introduction to Computing
• EE 206: Circuit Analysis I (4 credits)
• Related Required Courses:
  • MATH 129: Basic Linear Algebra (3 credits)
  • or MATH 329: Intermediate Linear Algebra
  • MATH 165: Calculus I (4 credits)
  • MATH 166: Calculus II (4 credits)
  • MATH 265: Calculus III (4 credits)
  • MATH 266: Introduction to Differential Equations (3 credits)
• MATH Electives: Select 6 credits from the following:
  • MATH 270: Introduction to Abstract Mathematics
  • MATH 400 Level (MATH 452, MATH 481, and/or MATH 488 are recommended)
• Select one of the following (4 credits):
  • CHEM 150 and CHEM 160: Principles of Chemistry I and Principles of Chemistry Laboratory I
  • CHEM 121 and 121L: General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory
• Select one of the following (4 credits):
  • CHEM 151 and CHEM 161: Principles of Chemistry II and Principles of Chemistry Laboratory II
  • CHEM 122 and 122L: General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Laboratory

Minor Requirements

The minor in Physics requires 19 credits, including:

• PHYS 251: University Physics I (4 credits)
• PHYS 252: University Physics II (4 credits)
• PHYS 252L: University Physics II Laboratory (1 credit)
• PHYS 350: Modern Physics (3 credits)
• Electives: Select 7 credits from the following:
  • PHYS 171: Introductory Projects in Physics
  • PHYS 251L: University Physics I Laboratory
  • PHYS 251R: University Physics I Recitation
  • PHYS 252R: University Physics II Recitation
  • PHYS 215: Research For Undergraduates
  • Any 300-400 level Physics course
  • ME 221 and ME 222 may be substituted for PHYS 251 and PHYS 251L

Minor Requirements and Notes

• A minimum of 8 credits must be taken at NDSU.