Physics (B.S.) General
The Physic’s departmental philosophy is that each student should be able to reason, collect facts and opinions, think critically, and make informed decisions concerning their physical, social, economic, and political environment. The objective of the Bachelor of Science in Physics program is to prepare students for careers in physics research, engineering, medicine, and other professional fields including physics teaching in high schools. Physics courses prepare students with good mathematical and analytical skills. In every skilled profession, such as engineering, medicine, management, teaching, etc., analytical expertise gained through mathematics and physics courses will provide an added opportunity/tool to choose and succeed in that profession. A thorough study of mechanics, statistical physics, modern physics, electromagnetic theory, and quantum mechanics along with introductory physics courses and introductory math courses enhances students’ ability and updates modern technological innovations needed to succeed in alternate career choices.
Alternative physics careers include teaching, medicine, law (especially intellectual property or patent law), science writing, history of science, philosophy of science, science policy, energy policy, government, or management in technical fields.
Requirements for the Major
To receive the BS or BS Ed degree, a student must maintain an overall GPA of at least 2.0 and at least 2.5 in all core science, technology, engineering, and math courses. The total number of hours of coursework for the BS or BS Ed is at least 124 semester hours.
Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PHY 198 | PHYSICS STUDENT SEMINAR | 0.5 |
| PHY 199 | PHYSICS STUDENT SEMINAR | 0.5 |
| PHY 298 | PHYSICS STUDENT SEMINAR | 0.5 |
| PHY 299 | PHYSICS STUDENT SEMINAR | 0.5 |
| PHY 398 | PHYSICS STUDENT SEMINAR | 0.5 |
| PHY 399 | PHYSICS STUDENT SEMINAR | 0.5 |
| PHY 498 | PHYSICS STUDENT SEMINAR | 0.5 |
| PHY 499 | PHYSICS STUDENT SEMINAR | 0.5 |
| PHY 211 & PHYL 211 | General Physics I and GENERAL PHYSICS LAB I | 4 |
| PHY 212 & PHYL 212 | General Physics II and GENERAL PHYSICS LAB II | 4 |
| PHY 216 | MODERN PHYSICS | 3 |
| PHY 311 | THEORETICAL MECHANICS I | 3 |
| PHY 330 | METHODS OF EXPERIMENTAL PHYICS | 3 |
| PHY 351 | THERMAL PHYSICS | 3 |
| PHY 361 | MATH MET OF PHYSICS &CHEMISTRY | 3 |
| PHY 411 | ELECTROMAGNETIC THEORY I | 3 |
| PHY 422 | QUANTUM MECHANICS | 3 |
| PHY 431 | ATOMIC & NUCLEAR PHYSICS | 3 |
| MATH 242 | CALCULUS II WITH LABORATORY | 3 |
| CHEM 142 & CHML 142 | GENERAL CHEMISTRY II and GENERAL CHEMISTRY II LAB | 4 |
| Total Hours | 43 | |
General Physics Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PHY 297 | Research Methods in Physics | 2 |
| PHY 312 | THEORETICAL MECHANICS II | 3 |
| PHY 362 | MATH MET OF PHYSICS&CHEMISTRY | 3 |
| PHY 342 | OPTICS SPECTRA & LASERS | 3 |
| PHY 380 | INDEPENDENT STUDY | 1-6 |
| PHY 412 | ELECTROMAGNETIC THEORY II | 3 |
| Physics Elective | 3 | |
| Physics Elective | 3 | |
| MATH 243 | CALCULUS III WITH LABORATORY | 3 |
| MATH 244 | CALCULUS IV WITH LABORATORY | 3 |
| Total Hours | 27-32 | |
Curriculum Map
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| CHEM 141 & CHML 141 |
GENERAL CHEMISTRY I and GENERAL CHEMISTRY LAB |
4 |
| ENG 104 |
COMPOSITION I or English Composition I with Co-requisite Support or COMPOSITION & LITERATURE FOR L |
3 |
| MATH 241 | CALCULUS I WITH LABORATORY | 3 |
| PHY 198 | PHYSICS STUDENT SEMINAR | 0.5 |
| UNIV 100 | UNIVERSITY SUCCESS | 2 |
| Humanities & Fine Arts Option | 3 | |
| Hours | 15.5 | |
| Spring | ||
| CHEM 142 & CHML 142 |
GENERAL CHEMISTRY II and GENERAL CHEMISTRY II LAB |
4 |
| ENG 105 or ENG 112 |
COMPOSITION II or COMPOSITION |
3 |
| MATH 242 | CALCULUS II WITH LABORATORY | 3 |
| PHY 199 | PHYSICS STUDENT SEMINAR | 0.5 |
| Pathway Option | 3 | |
| PHY 211 & PHYL 211 |
General Physics I and GENERAL PHYSICS LAB I |
4 |
| Hours | 17.5 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Fall | ||
| BIO 111 & BIOL 111 |
GENERAL BIOLOGY and GENERAL BIOLOGY LAB |
4 |
| MATH 243 | CALCULUS III WITH LABORATORY | 3 |
| PHY 212 & PHYL 212 |
General Physics II and GENERAL PHYSICS LAB II |
4 |
| PHY 298 | PHYSICS STUDENT SEMINAR | 0.5 |
| Pathway Option | 3 | |
| Hours | 14.5 | |
| Spring | ||
| MATH 244 | CALCULUS IV WITH LABORATORY | 3 |
| PHY 216 | MODERN PHYSICS | 3 |
| PHY 299 | PHYSICS STUDENT SEMINAR | 0.5 |
| PHY 297 | Research Methods in Physics | 2 |
| UNIV 200 | CIVIC ENGAGEMENT | 1 |
| Humanities & Fine Arts Option | 3 | |
| Pathway Option | 3 | |
| Hours | 15.5 | |
| Junior | ||
| Fall | ||
| PHY 311 | THEORETICAL MECHANICS I | 3 |
| PHY 351 | THERMAL PHYSICS | 3 |
| PHY 361 | MATH MET OF PHYSICS &CHEMISTRY | 3 |
| PHY 398 | PHYSICS STUDENT SEMINAR | 0.5 |
| Physics Elective | 3 | |
| Social & Behavioral Science Option | 3 | |
| Hours | 15.5 | |
| Spring | ||
| PHY 312 | THEORETICAL MECHANICS II | 3 |
| PHY 330 | METHODS OF EXPERIMENTAL PHYICS | 3 |
| PHY 342 | OPTICS SPECTRA & LASERS | 3 |
| PHY 362 | MATH MET OF PHYSICS&CHEMISTRY | 3 |
| PHY 399 | PHYSICS STUDENT SEMINAR | 0.5 |
| Social & Behavioral Science Option | 3 | |
| Hours | 15.5 | |
| Senior | ||
| Fall | ||
| PHY 411 | ELECTROMAGNETIC THEORY I | 3 |
| PHY 422 | QUANTUM MECHANICS | 3 |
| PHY 498 | PHYSICS STUDENT SEMINAR | 0.5 |
| Physics Elective | 3 | |
| Restricted Electives | 3 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15.5 | |
| Spring | ||
| PHY 412 | ELECTROMAGNETIC THEORY II | 3 |
| PHY 431 | ATOMIC & NUCLEAR PHYSICS | 3 |
| PHY 499 | PHYSICS STUDENT SEMINAR | 0.5 |
| Humanities & Fine Arts Option | 3 | |
| Restricted Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 12.5 | |
| Total Hours | 122 | |
Notes:
- Candidates that transfer 12 or more hours of college credit are exempt from UNIV 100 UNIVERSITY SUCCESS; however, the student must take 2 hours of general electives to replace the UNIV course.
- Online Graduation Clearance (to be completed during the graduating semester only).
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Restricted Elective Course Options: | ||
| ECE 220 | CIRCUIT THEORY | 3 |
| ECEL 220 | CIRCUITS LABORATORY | 1 |
| ECE 320 | CIRCUIT THEORY II | 3 |
| ECE 330 | ELECTRONICS | 3 |
| ECEL 330 | ELECTRONICS LABORATORY | 1 |
| ECE 331 | ELECTRONICS II | 3 |
| ECE 335 | SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES | 3 |
| ECE 345 | ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS | 3 |
| ECE 480 | POWER SYSTEM ANALYSIS | 3 |
| ECE 481 | ELECTRIC MACHINES | 3 |
| CSC 118 | COMPUTER SCIENCE I | 3 |
| CSC 119 | COMPUTER SCIENCE II | 3 |
| CSC 215 | DATA ANALYTICS | 3 |
| CSC 225 | DISCRETE STRUCTURES | 3 |
| CSC 228 | DATA STRUCTURES & ALGORITHMS | 3 |
| CSC 235 | SECURITY AWARENESS | 3 |
| CSC 245 | INTRODUCTION TO BIOINFORMATICS | 3 |
| CSC 330 | DATABASE SYSTEMS | 3 |
| Any Math course that is MATH 240 or higher | 3-4 | |
Student Learning Outcomes
Student Learning Outcome 1
Students completing a BS degree in Physics will apply mathematics and science knowledge to solve problems that require critical and analytical thinking.
Student Learning Outcome 2
Students completing a BS degree in CPAS will have a broad knowledge of global perspectives as they relate to their field of study and obtain experimental learning within the international scientific community.
Student Learning Outcome 3
Students completing a BS degree in CPAS will be prepared to enter the workforce in their field and/or engage in advanced studies and research in their fields.