Physics

PHYSICS

Bachelor of Science

Physics, the most fundamental of the natural sciences, forms the basis of study upon which the other branches of science are founded. Physics is concerned with the fundamental behavior of matter and energy. Classical physics encompasses the fields of mechanics, heat and thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, acoustics and optics. Modern physics is concerned with the study of atoms and molecules, atomic nuclei, elementary particles and the properties of liquids, crystalline solids, and other materials, as well as the areas of relativity, cosmology, and the large-scale structure of the universe.

The undergraduate Physics curricula are designed to provide students with a strong background in the classical areas of physics as well as an introduction into the more important aspects of modern physics. The BS in Physics curriculum is directed toward preparing students for graduate study ultimately leading to the PhD degree or toward research and development work in industrial or governmental laboratories. It also provides a good background for graduate study or industrial work in many areas or engineering physics and applied science.

Freshman Year

First Semester

4 - CH 101 General Chemistry

3 - ENGL 101 Composition I

4 - MTHSC 106 Calculus of One Variable I

1 - PHYS 101 Current Topics in Modern Physics

3 - Social Science Requirement¹

Second Semester

4 - CH 102 General Chemistry

3 - CP SC 120 Intro. to Information Technology

3 - ENGL 102 Composition II

4 - MTHSC 108 Calculus of One Variable II

3 - PHYS 122 Physics with Calculus I

1 - PHYS 124 Physics Lab. I

Sophomore Year

First Semester

4 - MTHSC 206 Calculus of Several Variables

3 - PHYS 221 Physics with Calculus II

1 - PHYS 223 Physics Lab. II

4 - Foreign Language Requirement²

3 - Literature Requirement³

Second Semester

4 - MTHSC 208 Intro. to Ord. Diff. Equations

3 - PHYS 222 Physics with Calculus III

1 - PHYS 224 Physics Lab. III

4 - Foreign Language Requirement²

3 - Humanities Requirement¹

3 - Elective

Junior Year

First Semester

3 - PHYS 311 Intro. to Meth. of Theoretical Phys.

3 - PHYS 321 Mechanics I

3 - PHYS 325 Experimental Physics I

3 - Emphasis Area⁴

3 - Writing Intensive Requirement¹

Second Semester

3 - PHYS 322 Mechanics II

3 - PHYS 326 Experimental Physics II

3 - PHYS 355 Modern Physics

3 - PHYS 441 Electromagnetics I

3 - Emphasis Area⁴

3 - Elective

Senior Year

First Semester

3 - PHYS 401 Senior Thesis

3 - PHYS 442 Electromagnetics II

3 - PHYS 455 Quantum Physics I

3 - Emphasis Area⁴

3 - Social Science Requirement¹

Second Semester

3 - PHYS 465 Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics

3 - Emphasis Area⁴

3 - Oral Communication Requirement¹

3 - Science Requirement⁵

4 - Elective

130 Total Semester Hours

¹See General Education Requirements. (Social Science requirement must include either HIST 172 or 173.)

²Two semesters in same modern foreign language.

³ENGL 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, or H210.

⁴Select from Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering, Environmental Science, Geology, Mathematical Sciences, and Physics and Astronomy. Students take a total of 12 credits in one of these areas, at least six of which will normally be at the 300400 level. It should be noted that the requirements for a minor in one of these areas might be satisfied with three additional credits at the 300400 level.

⁵The Science Requirement will be fulfilled by courses in the disciplines listed in (4) above at the 300400 level in a discipline other than that chosen for the emphasis area.

BIOPHYSICS CONCENTRATION

The Biophysics Concentration offers an excellent preparation for medical school or graduate work in biological sciences. It includes the flexibility of selecting courses in chemistry, biological sciences, physics, and mathematics. This concentration also provides the necessary background for employment in industry, manufacturing, and instrumentation for clinical or molecular biology applications.

Freshman Year

First Semester

4 - CH 101 General Chemistry

3 - ENGL 101 Composition I

4 - MTHSC 106 Calculus of One Variable I

1 - PHYS 101 Current Topics in Modern Physics

3 - Social Science Requirement¹

Second Semester

4 - CH 102 General Chemistry

3 - CP SC 120 Intro. to Information Technology

3 - ENGL 102 Composition II

4 - MTHSC 108 Calculus of One Variable II

3 - PHYS 122 Physics with Calculus I

1 - PHYS 124 Physics Lab. I

Sophomore Year

First Semester

5 - BIOL 110 Principles of Biology I

4 - MTHSC 206 Calculus of Several Variables

3 - PHYS 221 Physics with Calculus II

1 - PHYS 223 Physics Lab. II

3 - Literature Requirement²

Second Semester

4 - MTHSC 208 Intro. to Ord. Diff. Equations

3 - PHYS 222 Physics with Calculus III

1 - PHYS 224 Physics Lab. III

4 - Biophysics Requirement³

3 - Humanities Requirement E.2¹

3 - Elective

Junior Year

First Semester

3 - PHYS 311 Intro. to Meth. of Theoretical Phys.

3 - PHYS 321 Mechanics I

3 - PHYS 325 Experimental Physics I

3 - Biophysics Requirement³

4 - Foreign Language Requirement⁴

Second Semester

3 - PHYS 322 Mechanics II

3 - PHYS 355 Modern Physics

3 - PHYS 441 Electromagnetics I

3 - Biophysics Requirement³

4 - Foreign Language Requirement⁴

Senior Year

First Semester

3 - PHYS 442 Electromagnetics II

3 - PHYS 455 Quantum Physics I

3 - Biophysics Requirement³

3 - Writing Intensive Requirement¹

3 - Elective

Second Semester

3 - PHYS 465 Thermodynamics and Stat. Mech.⁵

3 - Biophysics Requirement³

3 - Oral Communication Requirement¹

3 - Social Science Requirement¹

4 - Elective

130 Total Semester Hours

¹See General Education Requirements.

²ENGL 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, or H210.

³Select from a list of approved courses in physics, chemistry, mathematics, and the biological sciences. At least six credits must be in the biological sciences.

⁴Two semesters in the same modern foreign language.

⁵An approved physics course may be substituted for PHYS 465 if the student satisfactorily completes CH 331, 332.

PHYSICS

Bachelor of Arts

The BA in Physics program is ideal for students interested in acquiring a broad-based liberal education that includes a strong and solid understanding of either science or a broad exposure to engineering with a strong physics foundation.

Freshman Year

First Semester

4 - CH 101 General Chemistry

3 - ENGL 101 Composition I

4 - MTHSC 106 Calculus of One Variable I

1 - PHYS 101 Current Topics in Modern Physics

3 - Social Science Requirement¹

Second Semester

4 - CH 102 General Chemistry

3 - CP SC 120 Intro. to Information Technology

3 - ENGL 102 Composition II

4 - MTHSC 108 Calculus of One Variable II

3 - PHYS 122 Physics with Calculus I

1 - PHYS 124 Physics Lab. I

Sophomore Year

First Semester

4 - MTHSC 206 Calculus of Several Variables

3 - PHYS 221 Physics with Calculus II

1 - PHYS 223 Physics Lab. II

4 - Foreign Language Requirement²

3 - Literature Requirement³

Second Semester

4 - MTHSC 208 Intro. to Ord. Diff. Equations

3 - PHYS 222 Physics with Calculus III

1 - PHYS 224 Physics Lab. III

4 - Foreign Language Requirement²

3 - Humanities Requirement E.2¹

3 - Elective

Junior Year

First Semester

3 - PHYS 311 Intro. to Meth. of Theoretical Phys.

3 - PHYS 321 Mechanics I

3 - Foreign Language Requirement²

3 - Minor

3 - Writing Intensive Requirement¹

Second Semester

3 - PHYS 322 Mechanics II

3 - PHYS 355 Modern Physics

3 - PHYS 441 Electromagnetics I

3 - Foreign Language Requirement²

3 - Minor

Senior Year

First Semester

3 - PHYS 325 Experimental Physics I

6 - Minor

3 - Physics Requirement⁴

3 - Social Science Requirement¹

3 - Elective

Second Semester

3 - Minor

3 - Oral Communication Requirement¹

3 - Physics Requirement⁴

3 - Social Science Requirement¹

4 - Elective

130 Total Semester Hours

¹See General Education Requirements. (Social science requirement must include either HIST 172 or 173.)

²Four semesters in the same modern foreign language.

³ENGL 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, or H210.

⁴See advisor.