Bachelor of Science in Applied Physics - General
The School of Physics offers two undergraduate degrees, the Bachelor of Science in Physics and the Bachelor of Science in Applied Physics.
The degree program in applied physics may be better suited for entry into industry or government upon graduation, preparation for further professional training (medicine, law, dentistry, or business), or preparation for graduate study in some other discipline. The applied physics program differs from the traditional one in that a few courses intended primarily as preparation for graduate study in physics are replaced by courses oriented toward the applications of physics.
Each of the baccalaureate programs contains the following: a) courses needed to meet general institutional degree requirements; b) a core of technical courses intended to give a strong background in mathematics and the physical principles of mechanics, electricity and magnetism, thermodynamics, and the quantum theory that governs physical phenomena at the microscopic level of molecules, atoms, and nuclei; c) technical electives that enable the student to explore areas of their choice in greater depth; d) courses involving undergraduate research, and e) free electives, about fifteen percent of the total hours, which may be employed to schedule additional technical or nontechnical courses.
The considerable flexibility inherent in the physics curricula is advantageous to students who wish to work out individual programs of study. At the same time, this flexibility suggests the need for consultation with advisors so students can make the best use of elective hours and avoid scheduling difficulties that may arise in later semesters. Students may utilize their elective freedom in the physics curricula to specialize in particular areas of physics, to prepare for careers in interdisciplinary areas of science, to compose a preprofessional program, or to gain a background in other technical or nontechnical disciplines. Students should contact their academic advisor for assistance in planning programs of study with emphasis directed toward a particular objective.
Since some students who earn a degree in physics have transferred from other disciplines, the School has planned its degree programs to enable most students to transfer into physics with little or no loss of credit.
A total of 120 credit hours (exclusive of wellness) and a grade-point average of at least 2.0 in physics courses numbered 3000 and higher are requisites for the bachelor's degree in physics.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Wellness | ||
| APPH 1040 | Scientific Foundations of Health | 2 |
| or APPH 1050 | The Science of Physical Activity and Health | |
| Core A - Essential Skills | ||
| ENGL 1101 | English Composition I | 3 |
| ENGL 1102 | English Composition II | 3 |
| MATH 1552 | Integral Calculus | 4 |
| Core B - Institutional Options | ||
| CS 1301 | Introduction to Computing | 3 |
| or CS 1371 | Computing for Engineers | |
| Core C - Humanities | ||
| Any HUM | 6 | |
| Core D - Science, Math, & Technology | ||
| PHYS 2211 | Introductory Physics I 1 | 4 |
| PHYS 2212 | Introductory Physics II 6 | 4 |
| MATH 1551 | Differential Calculus | 2 |
| MATH 1553 | Introduction to Linear Algebra | 2 |
| or MATH 1554 | Linear Algebra | |
| or MATH 1564 | Linear Algebra with Abstract Vector Spaces | |
| Core E - Social Sciences | ||
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| The United States to 1877 | ||
| The United States since 1877 | ||
| American Government in Comparative Perspective | ||
| Government of the United States | ||
| American Constitutional Issues | ||
| Any SS | 9 | |
| Core F - Courses Related to Major | ||
| MATH 2401 | Calculus III | 4 |
| MATH 2403 | Differential Equations | 4 |
| CHEM 1310 | General Chemistry | 4 |
| or CHEM 1211K | Chemical Principles I | |
| PHYS 2213 | Introduction to Modern Physics | 3 |
| PHYS 3201 | Classical Mechanics I | 3 |
| Upper-Level Physics | ||
| PHYS 3122 | Electrostatics and Magnetostatics | 3 |
| PHYS 3123 | Electrodynamics | 3 |
| PHYS 3141 | Thermodynamics | 3 |
| PHYS 3143 | Quantum Mechanics I | 3 |
| PHYS 3211 | Electronics I | 5 |
| PHYS 3266 | Computational Physics | 4 |
| PHYS 4206 | Electronics II | 5 |
| PHYS 4321 | Advanced Laboratory I | 3 |
| PHYS 4601 | Senior Seminar I | 1 |
| PHYS 4602 | Senior Seminar II | 1 |
| Physics or Technical Electives | ||
| Any PHYS or Technical Electives 2,3,4,5 | 14 | |
| Free Electives | ||
| Free Electives | 14 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 122 | |
Student must have 2.0 in all PHYS classes 3000-level or higher
Pass-fail only allowed for Free Electives, Humanities, and Social Sciences.
| 1 | If PHYS 2231 is taken, extra hour goes toward Free Electives |
| 2 | BIOL 4478, CHEM 3411, CHEM 3412, CHEM 3511, EAS 2750, EAS 4300, EAS 4430, ECE 4501, MATH 2106, MATH 3215, MATH 3235, MATH 4320, MATH 4347, MATH 4348, MATH 4581, NRE 3301, NRE 4610 |
| 3 | |
| 4 | Maximum of six credit hours below 3000-level |
| 5 | |
| 6 | If PHYS 2232 is taken, extra hour goes toward Free Electives |