Description
Physics is the study of the physical properties of the universe and of the fundamental properties and interactions of matter and energy. Physicists work to understand why and how things work, addressing questions ranging from how the efficiency of a solar panel can be improved to why the expansion of the universe is accelerating. Physics underlies and has applications in the pure sciences – astronomy, chemistry, biology, earth science – and applied sciences, such as engineering, optics, and materials science.
Physics majors take a wide variety of courses that develop technical and essential skills, including problem-solving, instrumentation, data analysis, teamwork and communicating results. Graduates who enter the job market immediately find their knowledge and skills, particularly any specialized training gained through research experiences, are strong selling points. A physics degree is also excellent preparation for graduate or professional school, and recent graduates have pursued advanced degrees in physics, astronomy, applied math, engineering, and medicine.
Admission to the Program
Any undergraduate student can declare this major.
General Education Requirements (24-30 credits)
- The Arts elective (gen ed code F) (3 credits)
- Diversity: Equity, Inclusion, & Social Justice elective (D) (3 credits)
- ENG 112 College Composition (Q) (3 credits)
- Humanities elective (H) (3 credits)
- Mathematics (M)
- Satisfied by MTH 201 in the Physics program
- Natural Science and Scientific Reasoning with Laboratory (L)
- Satisfied by PHS 235 in the Physics program
- Social Science elective (S) (3 credits)
- U.S. History and Civic Engagement elective (V) (3 credits)
- World History and Global Awareness (O) elective (3 credits)
- World Language elective (R) (3 credits)
- Local requirements (0-6 credits, may be paired with above categories):
- Contemporary Issues elective (I)
- Gender Perspectives (W)
Program Requirements
Students in the physics major pursue a Bachelor of Science degree, and must complete the corresponding degree's requirements.
Because of the sequential nature of the study of physics, students should meet with the department’s advisement coordinator as soon as possible to declare the major, be assigned a departmental advisor, and plan an academic program.
B. S. Physics
Required Courses (31 credits)
- PHS 235 Physics I
- PHS 240 Physics II
- PHS 307 Physics III
- PHS 308 Electronics Laboratory
- PHS 328 Modern Physics
- PHS 329 Modern Physics & Optics Laboratory
- PHS 332 Intermediate Mechanics & Math Methods
- PHS 345 Advanced Physics Laboratory
- PHS 350 Instrumentation Laboratory
- PHS 403 Physics Seminar I
- Three of the following Core courses:
- PHS 411 Quantum Mechanics
- PHS 415 Thermal Physics
- PHS 419 Electricity & Magnetism
- PHS 423 Advanced Mechanics
Physics Elective Courses (6 credits)
Two physics courses selected from
- PHS 362 Solid State Physics
- PHS 363 Astrophysics
- PHS 364 Semiconductor Device Physics
- PHS 365 Optics
An upper division (300-400 level) course from BIO, CHM, CSC, ESC, GEL, MET, or MTH may be substituted for one of these courses with departmental approval.
Cognate or Additional Requirements (31 credits)
- MTH 201 Calculus I
- MTH 202 Calculus II
- MTH 203 Calculus III
- MTH 255 Differential Equations
- CHM 205 College Chemistry I
- CHM 206 College Chemistry II
- CSC 120 Introduction to Computing
- CSC 203 Problem Solving with Objects
Total Number of Credits: 68
Prerequisites (0-4 credits)
- ENG 112* is a pre-requisite for PHS 308 and PHS 329.
- MTH 122 (4 cr.) may be required depending on student's high school record
* course is a general education requirement
Electives (18-28 credits)
Total Credits (120 credits)
B.S. Physics – Advanced track
Required Courses (35 credits)
- PHS 235 Physics I
- PHS 240 Physics II
- PHS 307 Physics III
- PHS 308 Electronics Laboratory
- PHS 328 Modern Physics
- PHS 329 Modern Physics & Optics Laboratory
- PHS 332 Intermediate Mechanics & Math Methods
- PHS 345 Advanced Physics Laboratory
- PHS 350 Instrumentation Laboratory
- PHS 403 Physics Seminar I
- PHS 404 Physics Seminar II
- All of the following Core courses:
- PHS 411 Quantum Mechanics
- PHS 415 Thermal Physics
- PHS 419 Electricity & Magnetism
- PHS 423 Advanced Mechanics
Physics Elective Courses (12 credits)
Four physics courses selected from:
- PHS 362 Solid State Physics
- PHS 363 Astrophysics
- PHS 364 Semiconductor Device Physics
- PHS 365 Optics
An upper division (300-400 level) course from BIO, CHM, CSC, ESC, GEL, MET, or MTH may be substituted for one of these courses with departmental approval.
Cognate or Additional Requirements (31 credits)
- MTH 201 Calculus I
- MTH 202 Calculus II
- MTH 203 Calculus III
- MTH 255 Differential Equations
- CHM 205 College Chemistry I
- CHM 206 College Chemistry II
- CSC 120 Introduction to Computing
- CSC 203 Problem Solving with Objects
Total Number of Credits: 78
Prerequisites (0-4 credits)
- ENG 112* is a pre-requisite for PHS 308 and PHS 329
- MTH 122 (4 cr.) may be required depending on student’s high school record
* course is a general education requirement
Electives (8-18 credits)
Total Credits (120 credits)
Additional Degree Requirements (for both the standard major and the Advanced track)
- Physics majors are required to pass both PHS 332 and MTH 255 with a minimum grade of “C.”
- A minimum overall GPA of 2.0 in all required major courses (Major Departmental Requirements).
- Completion of all university-wide degree requirements, including Academic Planning Seminar (0-3 credits)
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:
- Apply the principles of Classical Mechanics in the analysis of physical problems.
- Apply the principles of Classical Electrodynamics in the analysis of physical problems.
- Apply the principles of Quantum Mechanics in the analysis of physical problems.
- Use scientific instruments to gather, analyze, and display data with the intention of identifying patterns.
- Communicate scientific concepts and the results of scientific research both orally and in writing.
- Apply conservation principles appropriately in the investigation of physical problems.