Physics, a fundamental and quantitative science, involves the study of matter and energy, and interactions between them. The subject is generally divided into mechanics, electricity and magnetism, statistical and thermal physics, and quantum physics. These form the foundation for present-day research areas, which include astrophysics, atomic, molecular and optical physics, condensed matter physics, nuclear physics, and the physics of particles and fields. In addition to a knowledge of physics, students gain a rigorous training in logical thinking and quantitative problem solving. An education in physics can also provide an entry into many other fields such as biophysics, geophysics, medical physics, and engineering, as well as into less technical fields such as secondary education, technical sales, and science writing. Many students have also found that physics is an excellent preparation for the study of medicine, dentistry, or law.
The preferred introductory sequence for a major in physics, common to all physics degree programs, consists of PHYS 1600Q, 1601Q, and 1602Q. There are two options for the Bachelor of Science degree in physics: (1) the general option for students seeking to further their physics studies in graduate school and/or a career in research, and (2) the applied option, for students seeking graduate study in another field, medicine or dentistry, or a technical career in industry. The Bachelor of Arts degree in physics is ideal for pre-medical, pre-dental, or pre-veterinary students, students seeking double majors, or students seeking a middle or high school teaching career. There is also a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Physics offered jointly with the College of Engineering with possible emphases on Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Materials Science and Engineering. There is also a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics-Physics that is offered jointly with the Department of Mathematics.
Students satisfy the information literacy competency exit requirement in both the Physics B.S and B.A. degrees by passing PHYS 2300 and 2501W. The University’s writing in the major requirement is achieved by passing PHYS 2501W. PHYS 4096W may be taken as well.
Bachelor of Science, General Option
Required physics courses must include PHYS 2300, 2501W, 3101, 3201, 3202, 3300, and 3401, and at least three credits of an advanced laboratory (PHYS 3150, 3501, or 4150), plus 12 credits of 2000-level or above PHYS electives. It is strongly recommended that students going on to graduate school in physics take PHYS 3402. All students are strongly encouraged to participate in an undergraduate research project. An experimental research project (PHYS 3989 or 4096W) may count towards the advanced laboratory requirement. No more than six credits from PHYS 4099 may be counted towards this degree option. The general option for the Bachelor of Science degree requires a minimum of 12 credits from 2000-level or above related courses in mathematics, other sciences, or engineering.
Bachelor of Science, Applied Option
Required physics courses must include PHYS 2300, 2501W, 3101, 3201, and 3300, plus a minimum of nine credits from the following courses: PHYS 3150, 3501, 4140, 4150, 4210, 4350, and either 4710 or 4720, or 4730, or 4740, with at least three of the nine credits being from an advanced laboratory (PHYS 3501, 3150, or 4150). These courses involve the application of the basic physics subjects; i.e. mechanics, electricity and magnetism, thermodynamics, and quantum mechanics, in the introduction to the major subfields of physics. All students are strongly encouraged to participate in an undergraduate research project. An experimental research project (PHYS 3989 or 4096W) may count towards the advanced laboratory requirement.
The applied option for the Bachelor of Science degree requires six credits of 2000-level or above PHYS electives, plus a minimum of 12 credits from 2000-level or above related courses in mathematics, other sciences, or engineering, and an additional six credits of either 2000-level or above PHYS electives or 2000-level or above related courses in mathematics, other sciences, or engineering.
Bachelor of Arts
Required physics courses must include PHYS 2300, 2501W, 3101, 3201, and 3300, plus nine credits of 2000-level or above PHYS electives. No more than six credits from PHYS 4099 may be counted towards this degree.
The Bachelor of Arts degree requires a minimum of 12 credits from 2000-level or above related courses in mathematics, other sciences, or engineering.
Bachelor of Science in Engineering Physics
Offered jointly by the Physics Department of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the College of Engineering.
Students choose the college/school that they wish to graduate from and must satisfy the course requirements of either the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences or the College of Engineering to complete their degree.
Physics Requirements
PHYS 2300, 3101, 3201, 3202, 2501W, 3401, 3300, and six credits of PHYS 2000-level or above electives.
Engineering Requirements
- CSE 1010;
- ENGR 1000, 1166, 4001, 4002W;
- MSE 2001 or 2101, and MSE 2002 or 2102;
- CE 2110, 3110, 3120;
- CHEG 2103;
- ECE 2001;
- Thermal Science Elective: one from MSE 3001, ME 2233, or CHEG 2111
- Nine credits ENGR electives (three credits may be 2000-level, at least six credit must be 3000-level)
Additional Requirements
- MATH 2110 and 2410
- STAT 3025
Bachelor of Science in Mathematics-Physics
The B.S. degree in Mathematics-Physics may be completed by following either Track A, which has a physics emphasis, or Track B, which has a mathematics emphasis. Students in Track A should choose an advisor from the Physics Department, and those in Track B should choose an advisor from the Mathematics Department. The number of credits for 2000-level courses or above in the Track A is 30 in Physics and 19 in Mathematics, and for Track B these numbers are 21 credits in Physics and 28 in Mathematics. In either Track, the writing in the major and information literacy competencies are met using PHYS 2501W.
Track A: Physics Emphasis
In addition to the general education’s requirements of the University and College, the required courses for the Mathematics-Physics Major Track A (Physics Emphasis) are:
- Either: (i) MATH 2110Q (or 2130Q or 2143Q) and 2210Q and 2410Q (or 2420Q); or (ii) MATH 2141Q and 2142Q and 2143Q and 2144Q.
- All of: MATH 3146, 3410, 3510 and PHYS 2300, 2501W, 3101, 3201, 3202, 3300, 3401.
- Any nine credits from: PHYS 2200, 2400, 2701, 2702, 3102, 3150, 3501, 3989, 4093, 4095, 4096W, 4098, 4099, 3402, 4100, 4130, 4140, 4150, 4210, 4300, 4350, or one of 4710, 4720, 4730 or 4740.
Track B: Mathematics Emphasis
The required courses for the Mathematics-Physics Major Track B (Mathematics Emphasis) are:
- Either: (i) MATH 2110Q (or 2130Q or 2143Q) and 2210Q and 2410Q (or 2420Q) 2710 (or 2141Q and 2142Q) and 3146; or (ii) MATH 2141Q and 2142Q and 2143Q and 2144Q and 3146
- All of: PHYS 2300, 2501W, 3101, 3201, 3202, 3401.
- Any three credits from: PHYS 2200, 2400, 3102, 3150, 3300, 3501, 3989, 4093, 4095, 4096W, 4098, 4099, 3402, 4100, 4130, 4140, 4150, 4210, 4300, 4350, 4710, 4720, 4730, 4740, 4900.
- Any four courses from MATH 3150 (or 4110), 3151, 3160, 3210, 3230 (or 4210), 3330 (or 4310), 3370, 3410.
A minor in Physics is described in the Minors section.