Physics, B.A.

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Total Credits in Major Required for Degree: 63

Basic Requirements (37 Credit Hours)

PHYS 123 - Analytical Physics I Credit(s): 3
PHYS 124 - N/Analytical Physics I Laboratory Credit(s): 1
PHYS 125 - Analytical Physics II Credit(s): 3
PHYS 126 - 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 341 - Seminar in Physics Credit(s): 1
PHYS 352 - Quantum Mechanics I Credit(s): 3
PHYS 362 - Intermediate Laboratory Credit(s): 2
PHYS 363 - Instrumentation and Interfacing Credit(s): 2
or
PHYS 372 - Undergraduate Research Credit(s): 2
or
EDUC 350 - Student Teaching - High School Education Credit(s): 6 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 Credit Hours)

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

Footnotes

Note: BA students may not receive degree credit for both PHYS 313 and PHYS 332 .
Note: Directed Studies cannot count towards the elective credits in physics.

Related Requirements (26 Credit Hours)

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
INTD 121 - R/Programming: (subtitle) Credit(s): 3
or
MATH 230 - Programming and Mathematical Problem Solving 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
BIOL 116 - N/General Biology Laboratory Credit(s): 2
BIOL 117 - General Biology: Cells, Genetics, Evolution Credit(s): 3
BIOL 119 - 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
Note: Physics/Math double majors should take MATH 230 instead of INTD 121 .

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).

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 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

First Year

Fall (15 Credit Hours)

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

Spring (17 Credit Hours)

PHYS 125 - Analytical Physics II Credit(s): 3
PHYS 126 - Analytical Physics II Laboratory Credit(s): 1
MATH 222 - Calculus II Credit(s): 4
INTD 105 - Writing Seminar: (subtitle) Credit(s): 3
or
F/ Credit(s): 3
Foreign Language Credit(s): 3
S/ 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
N/Lab Science I Credit(s): 4
Foreign Language Credit(s): 3

Spring (15 Credit Hours)

PHYS 224 - Analytical Physics IV Credit(s): 3
PHYS 228 - Mathematical Methods in Physics Credit(s): 2
MATH 326 - Differential Equations Credit(s): 3
Lab Science II Credit(s): 4
INTD 121 - R/Programming: (subtitle) Credit(s): 3
or
MATH 230 - Programming and Mathematical Problem Solving Credit(s): 3

Third Year

Fall (15 Credit Hours)

PHYS 352 - Quantum Mechanics I Credit(s): 3
PHYS 362 - Intermediate Laboratory Credit(s): 2
Physics 300-level Elective Credit(s): 3
S/ Credit(s): 3
HUMN 220 - W/H/Western Humanities I Credit(s): 4
or
HUMN 221 - W/H/Western Humanities II Credit(s): 4

Spring (15 Credit Hours)

PHYS 341 - Seminar in Physics Credit(s): 1 *
PHYS 363 - Instrumentation and Interfacing Credit(s): 2
or
PHYS 372 - Undergraduate Research Credit(s): 2
U/ Credit(s): 3
M/ Credit(s): 3
F/ Credit(s): 3

Fourth Year

Fall (14 Credit Hours)

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

Spring (14 Credit Hours)

Physics 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.

*Honors in Physics. Senior majors having completed PHYS 372 may be invited by the department to take PHYS 393: Honors in Physics. (These students are exempt from the PHYS 341 requirement.) Students completing PHYS 393 satisfactorily will graduate with Honors in physics.

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.