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
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 215 | Calculus III | 4 |
| MATH 310 | Linear Algebra | 3 |
| MATH 314 | Differential Equations | 3 |
| MATH 30x | Applied math elective (301 or 308) | 3 |
| COSC 160 | Scientific Programming: C++ | 3 |
Physics Core – 35 credits
| Course # | Course Name | Credits |
| PHYS 211 | General Analytical Physics I | 4 |
| PHYS 212 | General Analytical Physics II | 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 472 | Electromagnetism | 4 |
| 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 | Introduction to Astronomy | 3 |
| PHYS 482W | Stellar Structure and Stellar Evolution | 3 |
| UCOR 124 | Galaxies and Cosmology | 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 | Descriptive 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, 212 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.
