Program Overview

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Introduction to the Bachelor of Arts in Physics

The Bachelor of Arts in Physics, offered by the Department of Physics, is designed for students who are planning for a non-research career in a field that has an important science component. Examples include patent law, environmental law enforcement, medicine, or sales or management in a high-technology industry. Physics students learn how the natural world works, and the laboratory, math, and problem-solving skills they acquire are highly valued in the job market.

Overview of the Program

The Bachelor of Arts in Physics program is tailored to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of physics principles and their applications. The program aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue careers in various fields, including science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), as well as non-STEM fields such as law, medicine, and business.

Program Requirements

To graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Physics, students must complete a minimum of 123 credit hours, including:

• University Requirements (123 total credit hours)
• College Requirements
• Major Requirements for Bachelor of Arts (56 credit hours)

University Requirements

Students must complete all University requirements, including:

• General Education (GenEd) requirements
• Writing-intensive courses (at least two courses for a total of at least six credits)
• Temple University residency requirements

College Requirements

Students must complete:

• A minimum of 90 total credits within the College of Science & Technology (CST), the College of Liberal Arts (CLA), and/or the College of Engineering (ENG)
• A minimum of 45 of these credits must be upper-level (courses numbered 2000 and above)
• A minimum of 6 of these credits must be upper-level (courses numbered 2000 and above) CLA credits
• Successful completion or waiver from the second level of a foreign language
• Completion of a one-credit first-year seminar or transfer seminar

Major Requirements

The major requirements for the Bachelor of Arts in Physics include:

• Mathematics courses:
  • Calculus I (MATH 1041 or MATH 1941)
  • Calculus II (MATH 1042 or MATH 1942)
  • Calculus III (MATH 2043 or MATH 2943)
• Sequenced Science Courses (select one of the following sequences):
  • General Biology I and II (BIOL 1011 and BIOL 1012)
  • Introduction to Organismal Biology and Introduction to Biomolecules, Cells and Genomes (BIOL 1111 and BIOL 1112)
  • Introduction to Organismal Biology and Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology (BIOL 1111 and BIOL 2112)
  • Honors Introduction to Organismal Biology and Honors Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology (BIOL 1911 and BIOL 2912)
  • General Chemistry I and II, and General Chemistry Laboratory I and II (CHEM 1031, CHEM 1033, CHEM 1032, and CHEM 1034)
  • Physical Geology (EES 2001) and a 2000+ Elective
• Physics courses:
  • Physics Seminar I (PHYS 1008)
  • Elementary Classical Physics I (PHYS 1061) or Honors Elementary Classical Physics I (PHYS 1961) or General Physics I (PHYS 2021) or Honors General Physics I (PHYS 2921)
  • Elementary Classical Physics II (PHYS 1062) or Honors Elementary Classical Physics II (PHYS 1962) or General Physics II (PHYS 2022) or Honors General Physics II (PHYS 2922)
  • Classical Mechanics (PHYS 2101)
  • Mathematical Physics (PHYS 2502)
  • Introduction to Modern Physics (PHYS 2796)
  • Electricity and Magnetism (PHYS 3301)
  • Experimental Physics (PHYS 4796)
• Physics electives (select 9 credits from the list of available physics electives)

Suggested Academic Plan

The suggested academic plan for the Bachelor of Arts in Physics is outlined below:

Year 1

• Fall:
  • Calculus I (MATH 1041 or MATH 1941)
  • Physics Seminar I (PHYS 1008)
  • Elementary Classical Physics I (PHYS 1061) or Honors Elementary Classical Physics I (PHYS 1961) or General Physics I (PHYS 2021) or Honors General Physics I (PHYS 2921)
  • CST First-Year Seminar (SCTC 1001)
  • Analytical Reading and Writing (ENG 0802 or ENG 0812 or ENG 0902)
  • Elective
• Spring:
  • Calculus II (MATH 1042 or MATH 1942)
  • Elementary Classical Physics II (PHYS 1062) or Honors Elementary Classical Physics II (PHYS 1962) or General Physics II (PHYS 2022) or Honors General Physics II (PHYS 2922)
  • Intellectual Heritage I (IH 0851 or IH 0951)
  • Elective

Year 2

• Fall:
  • Calculus III (MATH 2043 or MATH 2943)
  • Intellectual Heritage II (IH 0852 or IH 0952)
  • Elective
• Spring:
  • Mathematical Physics (PHYS 2502)
  • Introduction to Modern Physics (PHYS 2796)
  • GenEd Breadth Course
  • Elective

Year 3

• Fall:
  • Electricity and Magnetism (PHYS 3301)
  • Sequenced Science Part 1
  • Foreign Language 1001 - First Level
  • GenEd Breadth Course
• Spring:
  • Classical Mechanics (PHYS 2101)
  • Sequenced Science Part 2
  • Foreign Language 1002 - Second Level
  • GenEd Breadth Course
  • Elective

Year 4

• Fall:
  • Physics Elective
  • Physics Elective
  • Upper-level CLA Course
  • GenEd Breadth Course
  • Elective
• Spring:
  • Experimental Physics (PHYS 4796)
  • Physics Elective
  • Upper-level CLA Course
  • GenEd Breadth Course
  • Elective

Accelerated Programs

The Bachelor of Arts in Physics program offers accelerated +1 programs, which enable students to complete both a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in less time than the traditional route. The available accelerated programs include:

• Middle Grades Education MEd with Science concentration
• Middle Grades Education MEd with Science and Language Arts concentration
• Secondary Education MEd with Science Education concentration
• MS in Physics

Distinction in Major

To graduate with distinction in the Bachelor of Arts in Physics major, a student must:

• Achieve a minimum 3.5 major GPA
• Carry out an independent study or undergraduate thesis project

Students should consult the undergraduate physics faculty advisor for more details.