Physics, B.A.

The Department of Physics offers a program leading to the bachelor of arts degree in physics. The program is suited especially for students who are interested in combining a degree in physics with the study of another discipline (such as biology, life sciences, environmental science, or a major in the humanities).

University Core Curriculum Requirements — 40 credit hours

All University of Portland students progress through a set of shared course options as part of the University’s liberal arts Core Curriculum. This curriculum offers a foundation of multiple lenses to address enduring questions of human concern, integrating the liberal arts, the University mission, and the knowledge, skills, and values needed in a diverse society and in the workplace.

See Core Curriculum Requirements

Two of the three core requirements in the Scientific and Quantitative Literacy and Problem Solving Habit are satisfied by the mathematics and science requirements within the major.

PHY 441 and PHY 472 are the designated Writing in the Discipline courses for the B.A. in Physics.

College of Arts and Sciences B.A. Requirements — 24-33 credit hours

See College Requirements, B.A.

Major Requirements — 42 credit hours

Required Courses — 31 credit hours

MTH 201	Calculus I	4
MTH 202	Calculus II	4
MTH 301	Vector Calculus	4
CHM 207	General Chemistry I	3
	with
CHM 277	General Chemistry I Lab	1
PHY 201	College Physics I	3
	with
PHY 271	College Physics Lab I	1
	And
PHY 202	College Physics II	3
	with
PHY 272	College Physics Lab II	1
	Or
PHY 204	General Physics I	3
	with
PHY 274	General Physics Lab I	1
	And
PHY 205	General Physics II	3
	with
PHY 275	General Physics Lab II	1
PHY 306	Modern Physics	3
	with
PHY 376	Modern Physics Lab	1
PHY 356/MTH 356	Mathematical Methods for Science and Engineering	3

Major Electives – 17 credit hours

Select from the following:

PHY 303/CHM 303/MTH 303	Computational Methods in Physical Sciences	3
PHY 322	Optics	3
PHY 323/MTH 323	Nonlinear Dynamics	3
PHY 370	Special Physics Laboratory and Research	Variable
PHY 371	Analog and Digital Electronics	3
PHY 372	Optics Laboratory	1
PHY 391	Seminar	Variable
PHY 404	Advanced Mechanics	3
PHY 405	Advanced Electrodynamics	3
PHY 411	Introduction to Quantum Mechanics	3
PHY 412	Introduction to Quantum Mechanics II	3
PHY 422	Solid State Physics	3
PHY 441	Thermal and Statistical Physics	3
PHY 470	Special Physics Laboratory and Research	Variable
PHY 471	Advanced Laboratory	2
PHY 472	Advanced Optics Laboratory	2

Any additional credit hours required to complete a minimum of 120 credit hours

Total Credit Hours: 120