Physics (BA or BS)
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 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.
Location
- Storrs Campus
Modality
- In Person
Requirements
The preferred introductory sequence for a major in physics, common to all physics degree programs, consists of the following:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PHYS 1600Q | Introduction to Modern Physics | 4 |
| PHYS 1601Q | Fundamentals of Physics I | 4 |
| PHYS 1602Q | Fundamentals of Physics II | 4 |
Bachelor of Science Requirements
There are two options for the Bachelor of Science degree in physics:
- the General Option for students seeking to further their physics studies in graduate school and/or a career in research, and
- the Applied Option, for students seeking graduate study in another field, medicine or dentistry, or a technical career in industry.
Physics - General Option (BS)
Required physics courses must include:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PHYS 2300 | The Development of Quantum Physics | 3 |
| PHYS 2501W | Advanced Undergraduate Laboratory | 4 |
| PHYS 3101 | Mechanics I | 3 |
| PHYS 3201 | Electricity and Magnetism I | 3 |
| PHYS 3202 | Electricity and Magnetism II | 3 |
| PHYS 3300 | Statistical and Thermal Physics | 3 |
| PHYS 3401 | Quantum Mechanics I | 3 |
| Select at least three credits of advanced laboratory from the following: | 3 | |
| Electronics | ||
| Modern Experimental Methods | ||
| Optics | ||
| 2000 level or above PHYS electives | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 37 | |
It is strongly recommended that students going on to graduate school in physics take PHYS 3402 Quantum Mechanics II. All students are strongly encouraged to participate in an undergraduate research project. An experimental research project (PHYS 3989 Undergraduate Research or PHYS 4096W Research Thesis in Physics) may count towards the advanced laboratory requirement. No more than six credits from PHYS 4099 Independent Study 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.
Physics - Applied Option (BS)
Required physics courses must include:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PHYS 2300 | The Development of Quantum Physics | 3 |
| PHYS 2501W | Advanced Undergraduate Laboratory | 4 |
| PHYS 3101 | Mechanics I | 3 |
| PHYS 3201 | Electricity and Magnetism I | 3 |
| PHYS 3300 | Statistical and Thermal Physics | 3 |
| Select a minimum of nine credits from the following courses: 1 | 9 | |
| Electronics | ||
| Modern Experimental Methods | ||
| Principles of Lasers | ||
| Optics | ||
| Introduction to Solid State Physics | ||
| Nuclei and Particles | ||
| Stars and Compact Objects | ||
or PHYS 4720 | Galaxies and the Interstellar Medium | |
| Total Credits | 25 | |
- 1
At least three of the nine credits being from an advanced laboratory (PHYS 3501 Modern Experimental Methods, PHYS 3150 Electronics, or PHYS 4150 Optics).
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 Undergraduate Research or PHYS 4096W Research Thesis in Physics) 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.
Physics (BA)
Required physics courses must include:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PHYS 2300 | The Development of Quantum Physics | 3 |
| PHYS 2501W | Advanced Undergraduate Laboratory | 4 |
| PHYS 3101 | Mechanics I | 3 |
| PHYS 3201 | Electricity and Magnetism I | 3 |
| PHYS 3300 | Statistical and Thermal Physics | 3 |
| Nine credits of 2000 level or above PHYS electives | 9 | |
| Total Credits | 25 | |
No more than six credits from PHYS 4099 Independent Study 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.
Information Literacy Requirement
Students satisfy the information literacy competency exit requirements in both the Physics B.S. and B.A. degrees by passing PHYS 2300 The Development of Quantum Physics and PHYS 2501W Advanced Undergraduate Laboratory . The University’s writing in the major requirement is achieved by passing PHYS 2501W Advanced Undergraduate Laboratory. PHYS 4096W Research Thesis in Physics may be taken as well.
Engineering Physics (BS)
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. Students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences will earn a Bachelor of Science degree, and Students in the College of Engineering will earn a Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree.
The Engineering Physics undergraduate program educational objectives are that our alumni/ae: contribute to current and future scientific and technological developments in the areas of physics and electrical, mechanical and materials science engineering; excel in engineering and physics careers and responsible citizenship in industry, government, academia and other professional practices; and engage in professional development or graduate education to pursue flexible career paths
Requirements
The Engineering Physics major requires a total of 132 credits.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Physics Requirements | ||
| PHYS 2300 | The Development of Quantum Physics | 3 |
| PHYS 3101 | Mechanics I | 3 |
| PHYS 3201 | Electricity and Magnetism I | 3 |
| PHYS 3202 | Electricity and Magnetism II | 3 |
| PHYS 2501W | Advanced Undergraduate Laboratory | 4 |
| PHYS 3401 | Quantum Mechanics I | 3 |
| PHYS 3300 | Statistical and Thermal Physics | 3 |
| Six credits of PHYS 2000 level or above electives | 6 | |
| Engineering Requirements | ||
| CSE 1010 | Introduction to Computing for Engineers | 3 |
| ENGR 1000 | Orientation to Engineering | 1 |
| ENGR 1166 | Foundations of Engineering | 3 |
| ENGR 4001 | Multidisciplinary Engineering Design I | 3 |
| ENGR 4002W | Multidisciplinary Engineering Design II | 3 |
| MSE 2001 | Introduction to Structure, Properties, and Processing of Materials I | 3 |
| or MSE 2101 | Materials Science and Engineering I | |
| MSE 2002 | Introduction to Structure, Properties, and Processing of Materials II | 3 |
| or MSE 2102 | Materials Science and Engineering II | |
| CE 2110 | Applied Mechanics I | 3 |
| CE 3110 | Mechanics of Materials | 3 |
| CE 3120 | Fluid Mechanics | 4 |
| CHEG 2103 | Introduction to Chemical Engineering | 3 |
| ECE 2001 | Electrical Circuits | 4 |
| Select one Thermal Science Elective from the following: | 3-4 | |
| Applied Thermodynamics of Materials | ||
| Thermodynamic Principles | ||
| Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics I | ||
| Nine credits ENGR electives (three credits may be 2000-level, at least six credit must be 3000-level) | 9 | |
| Additional Requirements | ||
| MATH 2110Q & MATH 2410Q | Multivariable Calculus and Elementary Differential Equations | 7 |
| STAT 3025Q | Statistical Methods | 3 |
| Total Credits | 86-87 | |
University Common Curriculum Requirements
Every student must meet a set of core requirements to earn a baccalaureate degree, in addition to those required by the student's major course of study and other requirements set by the student's school or college. For more information about these requirements, please see Common Curriculum Requirements.
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Degree Requirements
Students must meet a set of requirements established by the college in addition to the University's Common Curriculum requirements. For more information, see the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section of this catalog.
Learning Objectives
Physics
- Demonstrate the ability to solve complex physics problems.
- Demonstrate the critical thinking skills to correctly apply physics content knowledge when analyzing physical phenomena.
- Demonstrate the computational skills necessary to model the behavior of physical systems or phenomena.
- Demonstrate the ability to clearly communicate scientific concepts and information.
- Develop and conduct experiments to collect, analyze, and interpret data in support of hypothesis testing to exercise rigorous scientific judgement when drawing conclusions.
Engineering Physics
- BS1: Demonstrate the ability to solve complex physics and engineering problems.
- BS2: Apply the analytical skills necessary to correctly apply physics knowledge.
- BS3: Apply the computational skills necessary to model the behavior of physical systems or phenomena.
- BS4: Communicate scientific concepts and information in an accurate, well-articulated and professional manner.
- BS5: Develop and conduct measurements and experiments to collect, analyze, and interpret data in support of hypothesis testing to exercise rigorous scientific judgement when drawing conclusions.
- BSE1: Identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
- BSE2: Apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
- BSE3: Communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
- BSE4: Function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
- BSE5: Develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
- BSE6: Acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.