Program Overview

Physics (B.S.)

The Bachelor of Science program in Physics offers several options, each designed to meet the needs of a particular group of students. The program provides a logically-developed sequence of physics courses on a broad range of topics, using calculus in the introductory sequence and more advanced mathematics in later courses.

Overview

Students in the Physics (B.S.) program take a series of physics courses, including introductory sequences, advanced laboratory courses, and more specialized courses in areas such as thermal and fluid physics, computational methods, and classical mechanics.

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements for this program are satisfied by the general requirements for undergraduate admission to the University.

Program Requirements

Candidates must complete 120 credits in course work, including satisfaction of the University General Education Requirements, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Group Requirements, and the Departmental major requirements. All course work must be completed in accordance with the regulations of the University and the College governing undergraduate scholarship and degrees.

Basic Requirements for All Options

The basic requirements for all options in the Physics (B.S.) program include:

• PHY 2170 & PHY 2171: University Physics I for Scientists and Engineers and University Physics I Experimental Laboratory (5 credits)
• PHY 2180 & PHY 2181: University Physics II for Scientists and Engineers and University Physics II Experimental Laboratory (5 credits)
• PHY 3300 & PHY 3310: Introductory Modern Physics and Introductory Modern Physics Laboratory (5 credits)
• PHY 3500: Introduction to Thermal and Fluid Physics (3 credits)
• PHY 3750: Introduction to Computational Methods (1 credit)
• PHY 5200: Classical Mechanics I (4 credits)
• MAT 2010: Calculus I (4 credits)
• MAT 2020: Calculus II (4 credits)
• MAT 2030: Calculus III (4 credits)
• MAT 2150: Differential Equations and Matrix Algebra (4 credits)
• CHM 1100 & CHM 1130: General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory (5 credits) Total credits: 44

Advanced Physics Option

The Advanced Physics option is primarily for students who intend to go on to graduate study in physics. It also satisfies the requirements of industrial and governmental employers who demand a traditional education in physics.

• Additional requirements beyond the Basic Requirements:
  • PHY 6400: Quantum Physics I (4 credits)
  • PHY 6500: Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics (4 credits)
  • PHY 6600: Electromagnetic Fields I (4 credits)
  • PHY 6850: Modern Physics Laboratory (2 credits)
  • PHY 6860: Computational Physics (3 credits)
  • Select one of the following:
    • PHY 5340 & PHY 5341: Optics and Optics Laboratory (5 credits)
    • PHY 5620 & PHY 5621: Electronics and Electrical Measurements and Electronics and Electrical Measurements Laboratory (5 credits)
  • Select two of the following:
    • PHY 6260: Survey of Elementary Particle Physics (credits not specified)
    • PHY 6270: Survey of Nuclear Physics (credits not specified)
    • PHY 6290: Survey of Biophysics (credits not specified) Total credits: 28

Engineering and Applied Physics Option

The Engineering and Applied Physics option is intended to provide the interdisciplinary training required for a variety of applied fields, while still providing an understanding of the physical foundations of those fields.

• Additional requirements beyond the Basic Requirements:
  • PHY 6600: Electromagnetic Fields I (4 credits)
  • PHY 5340 & PHY 5341: Optics and Optics Laboratory (5 credits)
  • PHY 5620 & PHY 5621: Electronics and Electrical Measurements and Electronics and Electrical Measurements Laboratory (5 credits)
  • PHY 6850: Modern Physics Laboratory (2 credits)
  • Select one of the following:
    • PHY 6750: Applied Computational Methods (2-3 credits)
    • PHY 6860: Computational Physics (credits not specified)
  • Select one of the following:
    • PHY 6400: Quantum Physics I (credits not specified)
    • PHY 6500: Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics (credits not specified)
  • Select one of the following:
    • PHY 6260: Survey of Elementary Particle Physics (3 credits)
    • PHY 6270: Survey of Nuclear Physics (credits not specified)
    • PHY 6290: Survey of Biophysics (credits not specified) Total credits: 24-26

Physics and Biomedical Physics Honors Program

Undergraduate majors in Physics and Biomedical Physics with a minimum grade point average of 3.3 can enroll in the Honors program of the Department of Physics and Astronomy.

Physics AGRADE Program

Seniors in Physics and Astronomy with a minimum grade point average of 3.5 may enroll simultaneously in the undergraduate and graduate programs, applying up to fifteen credits towards both the bachelor's and master's degrees in physics.

Interdisciplinary Physics-ECE AGRADE Program

Outstanding seniors in Physics, with a minimum grade point average of 3.5 and major physics classes GPA of at least 3.6, can apply to enter the cross-college AGRADE program between the Physics undergraduate program and Electrical Engineering Master's programs, allowing them to apply up to 12 credits of selected graduate courses towards a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering.