Sample Physics Major Programs
- for Graduate School Bound Students - for Applied Emphasis Students - for Honors College Students -
Course of study
The course requirements and suggested electives for graduate school bound students are shown in the chart below.
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Major Core Minimum of BS |
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Recommended Enhancements |
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Required Related Subjects |
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Required University |
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First Year |
Foundations of Physics I (251,252,253) Physics Lab. 1 (290 each term) 15 credits |
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Calculus and Chemistry 20 credits |
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Composition 8 credits |
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Second Year |
Foundations of Physics II (351,352,353) Intermediate Lab (390) 16 credits |
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Differential Equations and Several Variable Calculus 12 credits |
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Group -satisfying courses from Arts and Letters and Social Sciences (16 credit hours in each) |
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Third Year |
Electricity, Magnetism & Electromagnetism (412,413, 422) Mechanics (411) 6 cr. hours upper-division labs 22 credits |
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Electives in Physics (from Electromagnetism, Optics, Math. Methods & Astrophysics)
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Electives in Mathematics (from Complex Variables, Partial Diff. Equations, Linear Algebra) |
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Multicultural Courses (2 courses) |
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Fourth Year |
Quantum Physics (414,415,417) 12 credits |
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Physics Laboratories (from Electronics, Optics Advanced Lab) |
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Students who will seek employment in the technical arena with a bachelor's degree in physics can follow the Applied Emphasis Track, outlined below:
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Major Core Minimum of BS |
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Recommended Enhancements |
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Required Related Subjects |
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Required University |
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First Year |
Foundations of Physics I (251,252,253) Physics Lab. 1 (290 each term) 15 credits |
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Calculus and Chemistry 20 credits |
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Composition 8 credits |
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Second Year |
Foundations of Physics II (351,352,353) Intermediate Lab (390) 16 credits |
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Differential Equations and Several Variable Calculus 12 credits |
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Group -satisfying courses from Arts & Letters and Social Sciences (16 credit hrs. each) |
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Third Year |
Electricity & Magnetism (412,413) Intro. Quantum Mech. (354) Analog & Digital Electronics (431,432) 20 credits |
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Electives in Physics (from Electromagnetism, Optics, Math. Methods & Astrophysics) |
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Electives in Mathematics (from Complex Variables, Partial Diff. Equations, Linear Algebra) |
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Multicultural Courses (2 courses) |
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Fourth Year |
Classical & Modern Optics (424,425) Design of Experiments (481) 6 cr. hours upper-division labs 18 credits |
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Physics Laboratories (from Physics Instrumentation, Modern Optics Lab, Advanced Lab) |
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Sample Physics Major Program for Students Enrolled in the Robert D. Clark Honors College
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Physics Major Core Minimum of BS |
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Robert D. Clark Honor College |
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Required and Optional Related Subjects |
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Undergraduate Research Activities |
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First Year |
Foundations of Physics I (251,252,253) Physics Lab. 1 (290 each term) 15 credits
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Honors College Literature (HC 221H, 222H, 223H) 12 credits |
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Calculus and Chemistry (Chemistry can be taken in year 2)
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For advanced students: Apply for and complete NSF REU program following summer |
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Second Year |
Foundations of Physics II (351,352,353) Intermediate Lab (390) 16 credits |
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Honors College History (HC 231H, 232H, 233H) 16-24 credits
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Chemistry (if not taken year 1) Differential Equations and Several Variable Calculus 12-20 credits |
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Apply for and complete NSF REU program following summer | |
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Third Year |
Electricity & Magnetism (412,413, 422) 6 cr. hours upper-division labs (e.g., 431, 432) Research (401) 22 credits |
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HC Colloquia (e.g., HC 421H, 431H, 441H) to total 5 courses between 2nd, 3rd and 4th year. 8-12 credits
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Multicultural Courses (2 courses) Math Methods for Physics (410)
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Begin research with physics-related research group. Continue work through following summer and fall. |
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Fourth Year |
Quantum Physics (414,415,417) 20 credits
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HC Colloquia (e.g., HC 421H, 431H, 441H) to total 5 courses between 2nd, 3rd and 4th year. |
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{ Optional electives in Physics (e.g., 410, 424-26, 427) and Mathematics (see above) } 4-12 credits |
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Write Honors College Thesis (in physics research area) during fall/winter terms. Defend during spring term. |
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Students who wish to start physics their first year at the university should come prepared to study calculus.
