Major in Physics, Applied Physics Concentration

Program Overview

The Applied Physics concentration at Colorado State University allows students to specialize in applying physics principles to various fields, including electronics, materials, computers, and biophysics. Students can choose from a wide range of field-specific courses and design their own custom field of study. The program requires a total of 120 credits, including coursework in physics, mathematics, and technical electives.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Applied Physics concentration at Colorado State University combines fundamental physics coursework with a selection of courses in a related field. This concentration is designed for students interested in applying physics principles to various fields, including:

• Electronics, Semiconductors, and Optics: Focuses on rapidly changing technologies and areas where traditional engineering disciplines overlap.
• Materials and Fluids: Emphasizes the study of materials and their properties, as well as fluid dynamics.
• Computers: Provides a foundation for using computer technology in physics, developing new computer types, and pursuing careers in programming.
• Chemistry: Combines knowledge of chemistry and physics, relevant for fields like materials science, surface science, and physical chemistry.
• Medical Physics: Prepares students for further study in medical physics, health physics, or biophysics, and is suitable for those interested in traditional health professions.
• Geophysics: Prepares students for further study in geophysics and careers involving the application of physical methods in geology.
• Data Science: Provides students with the tools to analyze large datasets using statistical methods.
Students can also design a custom field in consultation with departmental advisors to meet their specific needs.

Outline:

The Applied Physics concentration requires a total of 120 credits, distributed across four years:

Freshman Year:

• Semester 1:
• CO 150 College Composition (GT-CO2) - 3 credits
• PH 193 Introductory Seminar in Physics - 1 credit
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - 3 credits
• Total Credits:
16
• Semester 2:
• Choose one group:
• Group A:
CS 150B Culture and Coding: Python (GT-AH3) - 3 credits, Electives - 2 credits
• Group B:
CS 152 Python for STEM - 3 credits, Arts and Humanities - 2 credits
• MATH 161 Calculus for Physical Scientists II (GT-MA1) - 4 credits
• PH 142 Physics for Scientists and Engineers II (GT-SC1) - 5 credits
• Total Credits:
14

Sophomore Year:

• Semester 3:
• MATH 261 Calculus for Physical Scientists III - 4 credits
• PH 210 Introduction to Computing in Physics - 3 credits
• PH 245 Introduction to Electronics - 3 credits
• PH 293 Selected Topics in Physics - 1 credit
• Historical Perspectives - 3 credits
• Total Credits:
14
• Semester 4:
• Choose one course:
• MATH 340 Intro to Ordinary Differential Equations - 4 credits
• MATH 345 Differential Equations - 4 credits
• PH 314 Introduction to Modern Physics - 4 credits
• PH 315 Modern Physics Laboratory - 2 credits
• Arts and Humanities - 3 credits
• Social and Behavioral Sciences - 3 credits
• Total Credits:
16

Junior Year:

• Semester 5:
• MATH 369 Linear Algebra I - 3 credits
• PH 341 Mechanics - 4 credits
• PH 353 Optics and Waves - 4 credits
• Technical Elective (see list on Concentration Requirements tab) - 3 credits
• Total Credits:
14
• Semester 6:
• PH 351 Electricity and Magnetism - 4 credits
• PH 361 Physical Thermodynamics - 3 credits
• Choose one course:
• CHEM 301 Advanced Scientific Writing--Chemistry (GT-CO3) - 2 credits
• CO 300 Writing Arguments (GT-CO3) - 2 credits
• CO 301B Writing in the Disciplines: Sciences (GT-CO3) - 2 credits
• JTC 300 Strategic Writing and Communication (GT-CO3) - 2 credits
• LB 300 Specialized Professional Writing - 2 credits
• Electives - 6 credits
• Total Credits:
16

Senior Year:

• Semester 7:
• PH 451 Introductory Quantum Mechanics I - 4 credits
• Selected Field (See Lists on Concentration Requirements Tab) - 6 credits
• Electives - 6 credits
• Total Credits:
15
• Semester 8:
• PH 425 Advanced Physics Laboratory - 4 credits
• PH 492 Seminar - 4 credits
• Selected Field (See Lists on Concentration Requirements Tab) - 6 credits
• Electives - 6 credits
• Required PH courses above the 100-level are typically offered only in the Fall or Spring semesters, not both.
• A grade of C- or better is required in all courses used to meet the major requirements, except for unrestricted electives and courses taken to satisfy AUCC categories 1A, 1C, 3B, 3C, and 3D.
• Courses in a Selected Field list have additional prerequisites.
• Students considering the Applied Physics concentration should meet with an advisor as soon as possible.
• Technical Electives:
• Students must select a minimum of 3 credits from a list of technical electives, which include courses from various departments like Atmospheric Science, Chemistry, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, and more.
• Field-Specific Courses:
• The context provides a detailed list of courses for each of the eight available fields within the Applied Physics concentration.
These lists include courses from various departments, including Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, and more.
• Custom Field:
• Students can design a custom field in consultation with their academic advisor, subject to approval by the Key Advisor.
• Minimum Credit Requirements:
• At least 42 credits must be upper-division (300-, 400-level, or 500-level).