Physics, B.S.

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The Physics B.S. offers the following concentrations:

Advanced Physics: Designed for students planning to go on to graduate school in physics. The concentration provides a solid and rigorous grounding in physics and will prepare the students well for the advanced physics GRE test, as well as graduate school studies.
Computational: Offers a solid grounding in physics through the physics core, and develops computational skills applicable to all scientific fields. These skills are developed through a computational physics course and courses in computer science. Students following this concentration can also complete a minor in computer science by taking one extra computer science course after fulfilling the concentration requirements. This concentration prepares students well for the job market by offering applicable skills as well as experience through its project or internship requirement.

Credit Requirements*

General Education: 46 credits
Major Requirements: 73 - 74 credits
Free Electives: 0 - 1 credits
Total Credits to Graduate: 120 credits

* All undergraduate degree programs require a minimum of 120 credits. Some courses meet multiple requirements, but are only counted once toward the 120 credit total required to graduate.

Physics Core Courses

Physics Core

All degrees require the successful completion of the Physics Core, which consists of the following courses:

Courses in Physics (29 crs.)

Courses in allied fields (15-16 hrs.)

Additional Physics Electives (9 crs.)

Nine credits at the 300-level or above.

General Electives

20 credits of general electives including at least 12 hours at the 300 level or higher. A minor in another discipline is strongly encouraged.

General Education

General Education Requirements

General Education Program (45 crs.)

General Education Requirements Specific for this major

Quantitative (Q): MATH 211
Natural World (N): PHYS 205
Natural World (N): CHEM 121

Advising Notes:

Semester I: MATH 211, PHYS 107
Semester II: MATH 212, PHYS 221
Students are recommended to complete 1 semester of Calculus before starting the intermediate physics sequence.
Chemistry should be taken in the junior year. Exceptional students may take it earlier.
Computer Science I should be taken early in the program.
Physics minor is available - 26 cr.