Physics, B.A.

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Program Outcomes

Students will be able to use advanced mathematics to solve physics problems of increasing complexity.
Students will be able to use scientific instrumentation to make measurements.
Students will be able to analyze and make conclusions based on scientific data.
Students will be able to design experiments to solve scientific questions.
Students will be able to communicate scientific results in writing and orally.
Students will be able to use computers to solve scientific problems.
Students will demonstrate understanding of concepts of increasing complexity in physics.

General Education Requirements (30-46 Credits)

Prerequisite coursework may be required to satisfy certain General Education courses and will count as elective credit.

Total Credits Required to Complete Major: 64

Basic Requirements: (41 Credits)

PHYS 123 - Analytical Physics I Credit(s): 3
PHYS 124 - N/Analytical Physics I Laboratory Credit(s): 1
PHYS 125 - N/Analytical Physics II Credit(s): 3
PHYS 126 - N/Analytical Physics II Laboratory Credit(s): 1
PHYS 223 - Analytical Physics III Credit(s): 3
PHYS 224 - Analytical Physics IV Credit(s): 3
PHYS 226 - Optics and Modern Physics Laboratory Credit(s): 1
PHYS 228 - Mathematical Methods in Physics Credit(s): 2
PHYS 261 - Programming in Physics Credit(s): 3
PHYS 341 - Seminar in Physics Credit(s): 1
PHYS 352 - Quantum Mechanics I Credit(s): 3
PHYS 362 - Intermediate Laboratory Credit(s): 3
One of the following:
PHYS 363 - Instrumentation and Interfacing Credit(s): 2
PHYS 372 - Undergraduate Research Credit(s): 2
PHYS 384 - Astrophysical Techniques Credit(s): 2
EDUC 350 - Student Teaching - High School Education Credit(s): 7.5 Students seeking Adolescence Education may substitute 2 credits of student teaching for this requirement

300-level PHYS electives including at least one of the following: (12 Credits)

PHYS 311 - Classical Mechanics Credit(s): 3
PHYS 344 - Statistical Thermodynamics Credit(s): 3
PHYS 335 - Intermediate Electricity and Magnetism I Credit(s): 3

Notes:

(i) BA students may not receive degree credit for both PHYS 313 and PHYS 332 .
(ii) Directed Studies cannot count towards the elective credits in physics.
(iii) Students may count only one of the following courses towards the major: PHYS 363 , PHYS 372 , and PHYS 384 .

Related Requirements: (23 Credits)

MATH 221 - R/Calculus I Credit(s): 4
MATH 222 - Calculus II Credit(s): 4
MATH 223 - Calculus III Credit(s): 4
MATH 326 - Differential Equations Credit(s): 3

A one-year laboratory science course sequence in another natural science discipline

CHEM 116 - Chemistry I Credit(s): 3
CHEM 118 - Chemistry II Credit(s): 3
CHEM 119 - N/Introductory Chemistry Lab Credit(s): 2
or
CHEM 203 - N/Principles of Chemistry I Credit(s): 3
CHEM 204 - Principles of Chemistry II Credit(s): 3
CHEM 119 - N/Introductory Chemistry Lab Credit(s): 2

or
BIOL 116 - N/General Biology Laboratory Credit(s): 2
BIOL 117 - General Biology: Cells, Genetics, Evolution Credit(s): 3
BIOL 119 - N/General Biology: Diversity, Physiology, Ecology Credit(s): 3
or
GSCI 160 - N/Physical Geology Credit(s): 3
GSCI 161 - N/Physical Geology Laboratory Credit(s): 1
GSCI 170 - Historical Geology Credit(s): 4

Footnotes

Because there is flexibility within the basic Bachelor of Arts degree requirements some options available are

Interdisciplinary study (e.g., biophysics and geophysics);
Preparation for graduate study in physics and engineering;
Qualification for commercial and/or industrial employment (e.g., for positions in physics research laboratories and as technical sales and/or service representatives).

Physics Other Requirements:

Minimum Competence Requirement

A grade of C- or better is required for each of the following courses: PHYS 123 /PHYS 124 , PHYS 125 /PHYS 126 , PHYS 223 , PHYS 224 , PHYS 362 ; MATH 221 , MATH 222 , MATH 223 .

Department Writing Requirement

The Department requires writing in lab classes throughout the program building up to PHYS 362 Intermediate Laboratory . Intermediate Laboratory require full reports that are evaluated with attention to style and technique as well as content. Students submit rewrites as necessary. A portfolio of reports from this course is maintained for each student. The writing requirement is satisfied by successful completion of PHYS 362 .

Outline/Advising Guide

For Students who Matriculated prior to Fall 2022:

First Year

Fall (16 Credit Hours)

INTD 105 - Writing Seminar: (subtitle) Credit(s): 3
INTD 106 - Conventions of College Writing Credit(s): 1
MATH 221 - R/Calculus I Credit(s): 4
PHYS 120 - Physics First Year Experience Credit(s): 1
PHYS 123 - Analytical Physics I Credit(s): 3
PHYS 124 - N/Analytical Physics I Laboratory Credit(s): 1
Foreign Language Credit(s): 3

Spring (14 Credit Hours)

MATH 222 - Calculus II Credit(s): 4
PHYS 125 - N/Analytical Physics II Credit(s): 3
PHYS 126 - N/Analytical Physics II Laboratory Credit(s): 1
Foreign Language Credit(s): 3
F/ Credit(s): 3

Second Year

Fall (15 Credit Hours)

PHYS 223 - Analytical Physics III Credit(s): 3
PHYS 226 - Optics and Modern Physics Laboratory Credit(s): 1
MATH 223 - Calculus III Credit(s): 4
S/ Credit(s): 3
Elective Credit(s): 1
Foreign Language Credit(s): 3

Spring (15 Credit Hours)

MATH 326 - Differential Equations Credit(s): 3
PHYS 224 - Analytical Physics IV Credit(s): 3
PHYS 228 - Mathematical Methods in Physics Credit(s): 2
PHYS 261 - Programming in Physics Credit(s): 3
HUMN 220 - W/H/Western Humanities I Credit(s): 4 or
HUMN 221 - W/H/Western Humanities II Credit(s): 4

Third Year

Fall (15 Credit Hours)

PHYS 352 - Quantum Mechanics I Credit(s): 3
PHYS 362 - Intermediate Laboratory Credit(s): 3
PHYS 300-level Elective Credit(s): 3
N/ Lab Science I Credit(s): 4

U/ Credit(s): 3

Spring (15 Credit Hours)

PHYS 363 - Instrumentation and Interfacing Credit(s): 2 or
PHYS 372 - Undergraduate Research Credit(s): 2 or
PHYS 384 - Astrophysical Techniques Credit(s): 2
PHYS 341 - Seminar in Physics Credit(s): 1
PHYS 300-level Elective Credit(s): 3
Lab Science II Credit(s): 4
S/ Credit(s): 3
F/ Credit(s): 3

Fourth Year

Fall (15 Credit Hours)

PHYS 300-level Elective Credit(s): 3
M/ Credit(s): 3
Elective Credit(s): 3
Elective Credit(s): 3
Elective Credit(s): 3

Spring (14 Credit Hours)

PHYS 300-level Elective Credit(s): 3
Elective Credit(s): 3
Elective Credit(s): 3
Elective Credit(s): 3
Elective Credit(s): 2

Total Credit Hours: 120

NOTE:
(1) Lab Science I and II must be taken in the same discipline.

Note: Where no prerequisites apply, some variation in the order or semester in which courses are taken is possible. Students should consult their academic advisors for additional information.