Suggested Curricula
Corresponding to the diverse backgrounds, interests, and goals of our Physics Majors, there are many possible paths through the Physics curriculum. Your faculty advisor will work with you to create a personalized program of study.
The links below are to suggested curricula for the BA and BS programs in physics:
B.A. in Physics
B.S. in Physics
BA in Physics: Suggested curriculum
| FRESHMAN YEAR |
| First Semester |
Hours |
| PHY 231 General University
Physics |
4 |
| PHY 241 General University
Physics Laboratory |
1 |
| MA 113 Calculus I |
4 |
| ENG 104 Writing I |
4 |
| University Studies |
3 |
|
| Second Semester |
| PHY 228 Optics, Relativity
and Thermal Physics |
3 |
| MA 114 Calculus II |
4 |
| CHE 105 General College Chemistry
I |
3 |
University Studies |
6 |
| SOPHOMORE YEAR |
| First Semester |
Hours |
| PHY 232 General University
Physics |
4 |
| PHY 242 General University
Physics Laboratory |
1 |
| MA 213 Calculus III |
4 |
| CHE 107 General College Chemistry
II |
3 |
| Foreign Language |
4 |
|
| Second Semester |
| PHY 306 Theoretical Methods
of Physics |
3 |
| PHY 361 Principles of Modern
Physics |
3 |
| MA 214 Calculus IV |
3 |
| Foreign Language |
4 |
| JUNIOR YEAR |
| First Semester |
Hours |
| PHY 335 Data Analysis for
Physicists |
1 |
| PHY 404G Mechanics |
3 |
| MA 322 Matrix Algebra
and Its Applications |
3 |
| Humanities |
3 |
| Foreign Language |
3 |
| Second Semester |
| PHY 520 Introduction
to Quantum Mechanics |
3 |
| MA 432G Methods of Applied Math. I |
3 |
| Foreign Language |
3 |
| Social Science |
3 |
| Humanities |
3 |
| SENIOR YEAR |
| First Semester |
Hours |
| PHY 416G Electricity
and Magnetism |
3 |
PHY 554 Fundamentals
of Atomic Physics |
3 |
| Social Science |
3 |
| University Studies |
3 |
| Electives |
3 |
| Second Semester |
| PHY 435W Atomic
and Nuclear Lab |
3 |
| University Studies |
6 |
| Electives |
6 |
|
|
*A total of 14 credit
hours in math, computer science, chemistry, engineering or other
areas related to physics but outside the department must be completed
to satisfy the college Field of Concentration requirement. A total
of 42 hours in physics and related areas must be taken to satisfy
the Field of Concentration requirement. |
|
| **The Bachelor
of Arts requires the completion of six additional hours in humanities
and social sciences beyond those required for University Studies.
It also requires the completion of 39 hours at or above the 300
level. |
B.S. in Physics: Suggested Curriculum
| FRESHMAN YEAR |
| First Semester |
Hours |
| PHY 231 General University
Physics |
4 |
| PHY 241 General University
Physics Laboratory |
1 |
| MA 113 Calculus I |
4 |
| ENG 104 Writing I |
4 |
| University Studies |
3 |
|
| Second Semester |
| PHY 228 Optics, Relativity
and Thermal Physics |
3 |
| MA 114 Calculus II |
4 |
| CHE 105 General College Chemistry
I |
3 |
University Studies |
6 |
| SOPHOMORE YEAR |
| First Semester |
Hours |
| PHY 232 General University
Physics |
4 |
| PHY 242 General University
Physics Laboratory |
1 |
| PHY 335 Data Analysis for
Physicists |
1 |
| MA 213 Calculus III |
4 |
| CHE 107 General College Chemistry
II |
3 |
| Foreign Language |
4 |
|
| Second Semester |
| PHY 306 Theoretical Methods
of Physics |
3 |
| PHY 361 Principles of Modern
Physics |
3 |
| MA 214 Calculus IV |
3 |
| Foreign Language |
4 |
| CS 115 Computer Programming |
3 |
| JUNIOR YEAR |
| First Semester |
Hours |
| PHY 404G Mechanics |
3 |
| PHY 416G Electricity
and Magnetism |
3 |
| PHY 402G Electronic
Instrumentation and Measurements |
3 |
| **Humanities |
3 |
| Foreign Language |
3 |
| Second Semester |
| PHY 417G Electricity and Magnetism |
3 |
| PHY 520 Introduction
to Quantum Mechanics |
3 |
| PHY 435W Atomic
and Nuclear Lab |
3 |
| Foreign Language |
3 |
| **Social Science |
3 |
| **Humanities |
3 |
| SENIOR YEAR |
| First Semester |
Hours |
PHY 554 Fundamentals
of Atomic Physics |
3 |
| **Social Science |
3 |
| University Studies |
6 |
| *Elective |
3 |
| Second Semester |
| PHY 535 Atomic
and Nuclear Lab |
2 |
| University Studies |
6 |
| Electives |
6 |
|
|
*A total of 14 credit
hours in math, computer science, chemistry, engineering or other
areas related to physics but outside the department must be completed
to satisfy the college Field of Concentration requirement. A total
of 42 hours in physics and related areas must be taken to satisfy
the Field of Concentration requirement. |
|
| **The Bachelor
of Arts requires the completion of six additional hours in humanities
and social sciences beyond those required for University Studies.
It also requires the completion of 39 hours at or above the 300
level. |
| 
