Physics B.A.
Degree Requirements
A major in Physics is achieved by completion of the following requirements, in addition to the General Education and electives required for a degree:
Required Core Courses
| PHY 221 | Intro Physics I with Calculus | 1 Course Credit |
| PHY 222 | Intro Physics II with Calculus | 1 Course Credit |
| PHY 320 | Modern Physics | 1 Course Credit |
| PHY 365 | Thermal Physics | 1 Course Credit |
Required Core Theory Courses
| PHY 460 | Electromagnetic Theory | 1 Course Credit |
| PHY 481 | Classical Mechanics | 1 Course Credit |
Required Advanced Laboratory
| PHY 341 | Advanced General Laboratory | 1/2 Course Credit |
Required Capstone Course
| PHY 492 | Physics Seminar | 1/2 Course Credit |
| | or | |
| PHY 495 | Internship | 1 to 3 Course Credits |
| | or | |
| UGR 010 | Undergraduate Research (On-campus) | |
| | or | |
| UGR 020 | Undergraduate Research (Off-Campus) | |
The capstone requirement can be satisfied by completing an
approved physics or engineering research experience, such as
PHY 492,
PHY 495,
UGR 010 or
UGR 020. To receive capstone credit for a research experience other than
PHY 492, students must (1) submit a formal proposal prior to the start date of the research experience or internship; and (2) give an oral presentation and submit a paper summarizing the work accomplished during the project by the end of the semester following the experience. Each research project is approved on a case-by-case basis.
Required Physics Distribution Courses
Two (2) additional course credits from departmental offerings, at least one (1) of which must be at or above the 300 level
Required Focus Distribution Courses
Two (2) additional course credits chosen from the following areas of focus:
Applied Physics
| MAT 312 | Operations Research | 1 Course Credit |
| MAT 337 | Differential Equations | 1 Course Credit |
| PHY 321 | Modern Physics II | 1 Course Credit |
| PHY 335 | Physical Optics | 1 Course Credit |
| PHY 485 | Intro to Solid State Physics | 1 Course Credit |
| TAD 460 | Digital Electronics | 1 Course Credit |
Chemical Physics
| CHM 311 | Analytical Chemistry | 1 Course Credit |
| CHM 361 | Thermochemistry | 1 Course Credit |
| CHM 362 | Quantum Chemistry | 1 Course Credit |
| CHM 371 | Advanced Lab - Spectroscopy | 1/2 Course Credit |
| CHM 470 | Adv Lab - Nuclear Magnetic Res | 1/2 Course Credit |
Computational Physics
Theoretical Physics
| MAT 337 | Differential Equations | 1 Course Credit |
| PHY 482 | Quantum Physics | 1 Course Credit |
Required Collateral Courses
Admission to the Major — Students should earn a grade of C or higher in PHY 221, PHY 222, and MAT 135 (or waiver) in order to be admitted into the major.
Other Considerations or Recommendations — Students should take CHM 131 or CHM 134 or BIO 110 to fulfill the Natural Science requirement. Students interested in pursuing a graduate degree in physics should choose the Theoretical Physics focus. Students interested in pursuing a graduate degree in engineering should choose the Applied Physics focus and plan to take MAT 437.
Teaching Certification – Students interested in gaining certification to teach in the area of Physics (Grades 8 – 12) must meet all requirements for admission to the Physics major as well as admission to and completion of the Teacher Education Certification requirements. (See Teacher Certification Requirements)