Curriculum for the B.S. in Physics
Students pursuing a B.S. in Physics must complete:
- 28 University Core credits
- 13 BSNES Core credits
- 34 Science, Computer Science, and Math credits
- 35 Physics Core credits
- 12(13) Track-Specific credits
- 6(5) Unrestricted Elective credits
To graduate, a student:
- needs a minimum of 128 credit hours
- must have a grade of C or better in all physics courses
Physics Course Descriptions • Download Curriculum • Download Course Sequence
University Core Requirements - 28 credits
| Course # |
Course Name |
Credits |
| UCOR 101 |
Thinking and Writing Across the Curriculum |
3 |
| UCOR 102 |
Imaginative Literature and Critical Writing |
3 |
| UCOR 132 |
Basic Philosophical Questions |
3 |
| UCOR 14X |
Theology |
3 |
| COSC 030 |
Research/Info Skills |
1 |
|
Course in Ethics |
3 |
|
Course in Creative Arts |
3 |
|
Course in Faith and Reason |
3 |
|
Course in Global Diversity |
3 |
|
Course in Social Justice |
3 |
BSNES Core Requirements - 13 credits
| Course # |
Course Name |
Credits |
| ENGL 302W |
Science Writing |
3 |
| HIST 307 |
History of Science |
3 |
| SPRG 105 |
Career Development Seminar |
1 |
|
General Elective Credits |
6 |
|
Math Credits (10) |
embedded |
This core curriculum will apply to all incoming freshmen beginning with the Fall 2006 semester.
Science, Computer Science, and Math – 34 credits
| Course # |
Course Name |
Credits |
| CHEM 121 |
Chemistry I |
4 |
| CHEM 121L |
General Chemistry I Lab |
1 |
| CHEM 122 |
General Chemistry II |
4 |
| CHEM 122L |
General Chemistry II Lab |
1 |
| MATH 115 |
Calculus I |
4 |
| MATH 116 |
Calculus II |
4 |
| MATH 210 |
Matrix Algebra |
3 |
| MATH 215 |
Calculus III |
4 |
| MATH 314 |
Differential Equations |
3 |
| MATH 30x |
Applied math elective (301 or 308) |
3 |
COSC 160/
COSC 150
|
Scientific Programming: Java/C++ |
3 |
Physics Core – 37 credits
| Course # |
Course Name |
Credits |
| PHYS 211/211L |
General Analytical Physics I and Lab
|
4 |
| PHYS 212/212L |
General Analytical Physics II and Lab
|
4 |
| PHYS 302 |
Optics |
3 |
| PHYS 312 |
Optics Lab |
1 |
| PHYS 332 |
Analog Electronics |
3 |
| PHYS 364 |
Modern Physics Lab |
1 |
| PHYS 374 |
Modern Physics |
3 |
| PHYS 401 |
Thermal Physics |
3 |
| PHYS 461 |
Mechanics |
4 |
| PHYS 470 |
Electricity and Magnetism
|
3 |
| PHYS 473 |
Electrodynamics |
3 |
| PHYS 474 |
Quantum Mechanics |
3 |
| PHYS 499W |
Senior Research |
2 |
Broad Track - 12 credits
| Course # |
Course Name |
Credits |
| PHYS 350 |
Theoretical Methods in Science |
3 |
| PHYS 4xx |
Advanced Electives |
9 |
Condensed Matter Concentration – 12 credits
| Course # |
Course Name |
Credits |
| PHYS 491 |
Introductory Materials Science I |
3 |
| PHYS 492 |
Introductory Materials Science II |
3 |
| PHYS 493 |
Solid State Physics I |
3 |
| PHYS 494 |
Solid State Physics II |
3 |
Astronomy Concentration – 12 credits
| Course # |
Course Name |
Credits |
| X-reg |
Introduction to Astronomy |
3 |
| X-reg |
Stellar Structure and Stellar Evolution |
3 |
| X-reg |
Galaxies and Cosmology |
3 |
| X-reg |
Astronomical Techniques |
3 |
Education Track – 13 credits
| Course # |
Course Name |
Credits |
| PHYS 481 |
Cosmology |
3 |
| PHYS 482W |
Elementary Particle Physics
|
3 |
| UCOR 124 |
Earth Science
|
3 |
| BIOL11x |
Biology I with Lab or Biology II with Lab |
4 |
Advanced Electives
| Course # |
Course Name |
Credits |
| PHYS 480 |
Chaos with Lab |
4 |
| PHYS 481 |
Cosmology |
3 |
| PHYS 482W |
Elementary Particle Physics |
3 |
| PHYS 485 |
Relativity |
3 |
|
Any but no more than two courses from any concentration |
3-6 |
|
Any approved advanced physics course in PCHE |
3 |
Requirements for the Minor
A student may choose to minor in physics by completing 211, 211L, 212, 212L, and 12 additional credits in physics courses numbered 300 or above, all with a grade of C or better. Individual course prerequisites must be satisfied.
