Program Overview
The Physics, BS program at George Mason University prepares students for graduate school and careers in various fields, including education, business, and industry. The program offers concentrations in Applied and Engineering Physics, Astrophysics, and Computational Physics, as well as an option for students to complete a secondary education teaching certification. Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.00 and complete a minimum of 120 credits to graduate.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The Physics, BS program prepares students for graduate school and careers in education, business, or industry. Students who wish to become teachers and plan to seek teacher licensure should consider the following options: Secondary Education - Physics (6-12) Undergraduate Certificate, Physics, BS/Curriculum and Instruction, Accelerated MEd (Secondary Education Physics concentration).
Outline:
- Total credits: minimum 120
- Major credits: minimum 74 credits (68 credits if completing a second major)
- Mathematics credits: minimum 11 credits
- Minimum GPA: 2.00
- Concentrations:
- BS without Concentration:
- Mathematics/Computational Physics: 6 credits from MATH 203, MATH 214, PHYS 325
- Intermediate Laboratory: 6 credits from PHYS 311, PHYS 312
- Research, Internship, or Independent Study: 3 credits from PHYS 326, PHYS 405, PHYS 406, PHYS 408, PHYS 409
- Capstone: 4 credits from PHYS 407, PHYS 410
- Physics Theory: 9-15 credits including PHYS 306, PHYS 403, PHYS 428, and 6 additional credits from ASTR 210, ASTR 328, ASTR 403, ASTR 404, PHYS 308, PHYS 331, PHYS 370, PHYS 412, PHYS 440, PHYS 465, PHYS 475
- Applied and Engineering Physics Concentration (PHAE):
- Mathematics/Computational Physics: 3 credits from PHYS 325
- Intermediate Laboratory: 6 credits from PHYS 311, PHYS 312
- Physics Theory: 9 credits including PHYS 306 and 6 credits from PHYS 331, PHYS 370, PHYS 403, PHYS 412
- Capstone: 4 credits from PHYS 407, PHYS 410
- Practical Work: 6-12 credits from PHYS 405, PHYS 406, PHYS 408, PHYS 409, BENG 320, ECE 415, ECE 416, or other approved Volgenau School of Engineering courses
- Astrophysics Concentration (PHAP):
- Mathematics/Computational Physics: 6 credits from ASTR 401, MATH 214
- Intermediate Laboratory: 6 credits from PHYS 311, PHYS 312
- Research, Internship, or Independent Study: 3 credits from ASTR 405, ASTR 406, ASTR 408, ASTR 409, PHYS 326, PHYS 405, PHYS 406, PHYS 408, PHYS 409
- Capstone: 4 credits from ASTR 402, PHYS 407, PHYS 410
- Physics and Astronomy Theory: 12-18 credits including ASTR 210, ASTR 328, PHYS 306, PHYS 428, and 2 courses from ASTR 403, ASTR 404, ASTR 420, ASTR 480
- Computational Physics Concentration (PHCP):
- Mathematics/Computational Physics: 15 credits from PHYS 325, MATH 203, MATH 214, ASTR 401, CDS 302, CDS 303, MATH 446, MATH 447
- Intermediate Laboratory: 3 credits from PHYS 311
- Research, Internship, or Independent Study: 3 credits from PHYS 326, PHYS 405, PHYS 406, PHYS 408, PHYS 409
- Capstone: 4 credits from PHYS 410
- Physics and Astronomy Theory: 3-9 credits from ASTR 210, ASTR 328, ASTR 403, PHYS 306, PHYS 412
- Mason Core: Students are strongly encouraged to consult with their advisors to ensure they fulfill all remaining Mason Core requirements.
- Honors in the Major: Physics majors who have maintained an overall GPA of at least 3.50 in physics courses and a GPA of 3.50 in all courses taken at George Mason University may apply to the physics honors program when they complete the first semester of their junior year. To graduate with honors in physics, a student is required to maintain a minimum GPA of 3.00 in physics courses and successfully complete PHYS 405 Honors Thesis in Physics I and PHYS 406 Honors Thesis in Physics II with a GPA of at least 3.50 and a grade of at least ‘A-’ in PHYS 406 Honors Thesis in Physics II.
