Approved by: Undergraduate Course and Curriculum Committee
Implementation Date: Spring 2014
Note: Deletions are strikethroughs. Insertions are underlined.
Catalog Copy
A physics major can lead to many challenging, exciting, and productive careers. Students majoring in physics enter a variety of technical fields, attend medical school, teach in high school, or attend graduate school. Research physicists work in industry and government, in laboratories and hospitals, and on university campuses. The Department of Physics and Optical Science offers programs leading to the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees. with additional concentrations in astrophysics and optical science. In addition, the Department offers dual degree programs in Physics and Computer, Electrical, or Mechanical Engineering.
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN PHYSICS
The Bachelor of Art degree is appropriate for students seeking an in-depth understanding of physics within the context of a broader education. This curriculum allows the greatest freedom in choosing electives offered by other departments, and is ideal for students wishing to pursue double majors, matching physics with another discipline. A major in Physics leading to the B.A. degree consists of at least 33 36 semester hours of physics with an average of C or above. The 33 36 hours of physics must include eight hours in an introductory sequence of PHYS 2101, 2102, 2101L, and 2102L. Under special circumstances, and with the approval of the Undergraduate Studies Committee, PHYS 1101, 1102, 1101L, and 1102L may be substituted for the PHYS 2101-2102 sequence. The remaining 28 hours must include PHYS 1000, PHYS 3101, PHYS 3121, PHYS 3141, PHYS 3220, PHYS 4231, PHYS 4241, either PHYS 3282 or PHYS 3283, plus six additional hours at the 3000-4000-level. Also required are CHEM 1251, 1251L and MATH 1241, 1242, 2171, and 2241, and 2242. Students may substitute PHYS 3220 for MATH 2242. PHYS 3000, 3900, 4000, or 4800 may be used to fulfill the 33 36-semester hour requirement only if approved in advance for this purpose by the Undergraduate Studies Committee. Freshmen should complete MATH 1241 before the beginning of their second year.
TEACHER LICENSURE
Students interested in teaching physics in high school should take both PHYS 3282 and PHYS 3283. In addition to meeting the requirements for the physics degree, students who plan to become licensed teachers must minor in Secondary Education. These students should contact the Teacher Education Advising, Licensure, and Recruitment (TEALR) Office in the College of Education regarding teacher licensure.
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN PHYSICS
The Bachelor of Science degree is appropriate for students planning to pursue physics as a professional career, either immediately after graduation in a physics-related industry or after graduate study in physics or a related field. A major in Physics leading to the B.S. degree consists of at least 48 51 semester hours of physics with an average of C or above. The 48 51 hours of physics must include eight hours in an introductory sequence of PHYS 2101, 2102, 2101L, and 2102L. Under special circumstances, and with the approval of the Undergraduate Studies Committee, PHYS 1101, 1102, 1101L, and 1102L may be substituted for the PHYS 2101-2102 sequence. The remaining 40 43 hours must include PHYS 1000, PHYS 3101, PHYS 3121, PHYS 3141, PHYS 3151, PHYS 3210, PHYS 3220, PHYS 3282, PHYS 3283, PHYS 4222, PHYS 4231, PHYS 4232, PHYS 4241, and at least six additional hours at the 3000-4000-level. PHYS 3000, 3900, 4000, or 4800 may be used to fulfill the 48 51-semester hour requirement only if approved in advance for this purpose by the Undergraduate Studies Committee. Also required are CHEM 1251, 1251L, MATH 1241, 1242, 2171, and 2241, and 2242. Students may substitute PHYS 3220 for MATH 2242. Freshmen should complete MATH 1241 before the beginning of their second year. Students planning for graduate study in physics are strongly advised to take PHYS 4242 as part of their 3000-4000-level elective hours.
TEACHER LICENSURE
In addition to meeting the requirements for the physics degree, students who plan to become licensed teachers must minor in Secondary Education. These students should contact the Teacher Education Advising, Licensure, and Recruitment (TEALR) Office in the College of Education regarding teacher licensure.
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN PHYSICS WITH A CONCENTRATION IN ASTROPHYSICS
The Bachelor of Science with a Concentration in Astrophysics degree is appropriate for students who wish to pursue careers and/or graduate study in astrophysics. A major in Physics leading to the B.S. degree with a concentration in astrophysics option consists of at least 48 semester hours of physics with an average of C or above. The 48 hours of physics must include eight hours in an introductory sequence of PHYS 2101, 2102, 2101L, and 2102L. Under special circumstances, and with the approval of the Undergraduate Studies Committee, PHYS 1101, 1102, 1101L, and 1102L may be substituted for the PHYS 2101-2102 sequence. The remaining 40 hours must include PHYS 1000, PHYS 3101, PHYS 3121, PHYS 3141, PHYS 3151, PHYS 3160, PHYS 3161, PHYS 3210, PHYS 3282, PHYS 3283, PHYS 4231, PHYS 4241, PHYS 4242, and at least three additional hours at the 3000-4000-level. PHYS 3000, 3900, 4000, or 4800 may be used to fulfill the 48-semester hour requirement only if approved in advance for this purpose by the Undergraduate Studies Committee. Also required are CHEM 1251, 1251L, MATH 1241, 1242, 2171, 2241, and 2242. Students may substitute PHYS 3220 for MATH 2242. Freshmen should complete MATH 1241 before the beginning of their second year.
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN PHYSICS WITH A CONCENTRATION IN OPTICAL SCIENCE
The Bachelor of Science with a Concentration in Optical Science degree is appropriate for students who wish to pursue careers and/or graduate study in the discipline of optical science. Students are required to complete courses in addition to those in the traditional branches of physics that will broaden their understanding of waves and optics, electrodynamics, and modern optics. A major in Physics leading to the B.S. degree with a concentration in optical science consists of at least 48 semester hours of physics and engineering with an average of C or above. The 48 hours must include eight hours in an introductory sequence of PHYS 2101, 2102, 2101L, and 2102L. Under special circumstances, and with the approval of the Undergraduate Studies Committee, PHYS 1101, 1102, 1101L, and 1102L may be substituted for the PHYS 2101-2102 sequence. The remaining 40 hours must include PHYS 1000, PHYS 3101, PHYS 3121, PHYS 3141, PHYS 3210, PHYS 3282, PHYS 4231, PHYS 4232, PHYS 4241, PHYS 4271, PHYS 4281, at least six additional hours at the 3000-4000-level, and ECGR 4125. Also required are CHEM 1251, 1251L, MATH 1241, 1242, 2171, 2241, and 2242. Students may substitute PHYS 3220 for MATH 2242. PHYS 3000, 3900, 4000, or 4800 may be used to fulfill the 48-semester hour requirement only if approved in advance for this purpose by the Undergraduate Studies Committee. Freshmen should complete MATH 1241 before the beginning of their second year.