Program Overview

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Physics - Standard Option - Bachelor of Science Degree Map

The Physics - Standard Option - Bachelor of Science degree map outlines the requirements for completing a degree in four years. To graduate in four years, students need to average 45 credits per year to reach 180 total credits, including 62 upper division (300/400 level courses) credits.

Requirements

• General Education Requirements
• Degree Requirements
• Major Requirements
• University Writing Requirements
• Race and Ethnic Studies Requirements
• Credit Requirements and Limits

Degree Maps and Advising

Degree maps show one possible course plan for earning a degree in four years. Students should talk with their advisor regularly to develop a personalized plan that works best for them, especially if they have earned transferable academic credit.

Bulletin or Catalog Year

The Bulletin or Catalog year defines the specific set of requirements students need to complete a degree. Requirements occasionally change, so it may benefit students to follow a different catalog. Typically, the catalog year is the year students began at PSU, but transfer students may be able to use an earlier catalog.

DARS System

Students are highly encouraged to run their own Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS) report to track their progress through their program. Students should contact an advisor if they have questions about their DARS, catalog/bulletin year, or degree requirements.

Course Plan

First Year

Fall Courses	Fall Credits	Winter Courses	Winter Credits	Spring Courses	Spring Credits
First Year Inquiry or Honors	5	First Year Inquiry or Honors	5	First Year Inquiry or Honors	5
MTH 251Z	4	MTH 252Z	4	MTH 253Z	4
CH 221Z	4	CH 222Z	4	CH 223Z	4
CH 227Z	1	CH 228Z	1	CH 229Z	1
Total Fall Credits	14	Total Winter Credits	14	Total Spring Credits	14

Second Year

Fall Courses	Fall Credits	Winter Courses	Winter Credits	Spring Courses	Spring Credits
Sophomore Inquiry or Honors	4	Sophomore Inquiry or Honors	4	Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement	3-4
MTH 261	4	MTH 256	4	MTH 254	4
PH 211 or PH 201	4	PH 212 or PH 202	4	PH 213 or PH 203	4
PH 214	1	PH 215	1	PH 216	1
General Elective	1			BS Arts & Letters/Social Science	3-4
Total Fall Credits	14	Total Winter Credits	13	Total Spring Credits	15-17
Second Year Milestone : Complete all Math courses (by end of Spring term).

Third Year

Fall Courses	Fall Credits	Winter Courses	Winter Credits	Spring Courses	Spring Credits
Upper Division Cluster or Honors	4	Upper Division Cluster or Honors	4	Upper Division Cluster or Honors	4
PH 311	4	PH 312	4	PH 316	4
PH 314	4	PH 315	4	PH 322	4
Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement	3-4	BS Arts & Letters/Social Science	3-4	BS Arts & Letters/Social Science	3-4
Total Fall Credits	15-16	Total Winter Credits	15-16	Total Spring Credits	15-16
Third Year Milestone : Complete PH 311 (by end of Fall term).

Fourth Year

Fall Courses	Fall Credits	Winter Courses	Winter Credits	Spring Courses	Spring Credits
PH 431	4	PH 426	4	Senior Capstone or Honors Thesis	6
PH 4XX	4	PH 4XX	4	PH 424	4
Science/Technology Elective	4	General Elective	4	Science/Technology Elective	4
General Elective	4	General Elective	4
Total Fall Credits	16	Total Winter Credits	16	Total Spring Credits	14

Additional Map Notes

• Sophomore Inquiry or Honors : For University Studies, two Sophomore Inquiry courses are required, but for Honors, three Sophomore courses are required.
• Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement : Two courses required, each minimum 3 credits: one course must focus on the U.S. experience; the second course must center the experiences of groups under European and U.S. colonialism and imperialism beyond the United States.
• PH 4XX : Chosen from PH 411, 412, 425, 432, 434, or 464.
• Senior Capstone or Honors Thesis : Option of Research Capstone, Winter and Spring terms (3 credits each).
• Students may need to add additional general elective credits to their plan to reach 180 total credits.