Major and Minor Requirements
Physics majors may earn either a B.A. or B.S. degree. Physics may be combined with other fields, either as a double major or a minor. The requirements for the B.A. and B.S. in physics have recently changed, for new physics majors taking PHY 231 in Fall 2003 or later. Other students, who took PHY 231 prior to Fall 2003, are still subject to the requirements "for continuing physics majors" listed below.
B.A. in Physics (for new physics majors)
B.S. in Physics (for new physics majors)
B.A.
in Physics (for continuing physics majors)
B.S.
in Physics (for continuing physics majors)
Minor in Physics
In addition to satisfying University Studies requirements and the College requirements, each student completes the following:
| Premajor Requirements | Hours |
| PHY 231/232 General University Physics | 8 |
| PHY 241/242 General University Physics Laboratory | 2 |
| PHY 228 Optics, Relativity, and Thermal Physics | 3 |
| CHE 105/107 General College Chemistry I and II | 6 | MA 113 Calculus I | 4 |
| MA 114 Calculus II | 4 |
| Major Requirements | Hours |
| Requirement One | |
| PHY 306 Theoretical Methods of Physics | 3 |
| PHY 361 Principles of Modern Physics | 3 |
| PHY 404G Mechanics | 3 |
| PHY 416G Electricity and Magnetism | 3 |
| PHY 520 Introduction to Quantum Mechanics | 3 |
| MA 213 Calculus III | 4 |
| MA 214 Calculus IV | 3 |
| Requirement Two | |
| Any three hours from the physics 300-500 series, including at least one of the following laboratory courses: PHY 402G, 422, 530, 535, 545. | |
The College of Arts and Sciences requires the completion of 42 credit hours in the field of concentration including at least 14 credit hours in a related area (e.g., computer science, mathematics, philosophy).
Bachelor of Science in Physics
In addition to satisfying University Studies requirements and the College
requirements, each student completes the following:
| Premajor Requirements | Hours |
| PHY 231/232 General University Physics | 8 |
| PHY 241/242 General University Physics Laboratory | 2 |
| PHY 228 Optics, Relativity, and Thermal Physics | 3 |
| CHE 105/107 General College Chemistry I and II | 6 | MA 113 Calculus I | 4 |
| MA 114 Calculus II | 4 |
| Major Requirements | Hours |
| Requirement One | |
| PHY 306 Theoretical Methods of Physics | 3 |
| PHY 361 Principles of Modern Physics | 3 |
| PHY 404G Mechanics | 3 |
| PHY 416G Electricity and Magnetism | 3 |
| PHY 417G Electricity and Magnetism | 3 |
| PHY 520 Introduction to Quantum Mechanics | 3 |
| MA 213 Calculus III | 4 |
| MA 214 Calculus IV | 3 |
| Requirement Two | |
| One course from the following: | |
| PHY 522 Heat and Thermodynamics | 3 |
| PHY 524 Solid State Physics | 3 |
| PHY 554 Fundamentals of Atomic Physics | 3 |
| PHY 555 Fundamental Nuclear Physics | 3 |
| PHY 555 Fundamental Paricle Physics | 3 |
| AST 591 Astrophysics I -- Stars | 3 |
| AST 592 Astrophysics II -- The Galaxy | 3 |
| Requirement Three | |
| PHY 335 | 1 |
| PHY 535 | 2 |
| Two other laboratory courses selected from the following: | |
| PHY 402G, 422, 530, 395 | |
The College of Arts and Sciences requires the completion of 42 credit hours in the field of concentration including at least 14 credit hours in a related area (e.g., computer science, mathematics, philosophy).
| MA 113, 114, and 213 | 12 |
| PHY 211/213 or PHY 231/232/241/242 | 10 |
| At least eight credits from among the following: | |
| PHY 402G, 404G, 416G, 417G, 472G, 504, 508, 520, 522, 524, 525, 530, 535, 545, 546, 554, 555, 556, and 567 and 591 |
Important Dates Spring 2008
Jan 09: First day of class
Jan 15: Last day to add a class
Jan 15: Last day to officially withdraw of reduce course load and receive 80 percent refund
Jan 21: Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday, Academic Holiday
Jan 22: Deadline for payment of registration fees and/or housing and dining fees
Jan 30: Last day to drop a course without it appearing on the student's transcript
Jan 30: Last day to change grading option
Feb 06: Last day to withdraw or drop a course and receive any refund
Feb 25 - April 16: Students are prohibited from changing academic majors
Mar 05: Midterm of 2007 Spring Semester
Mar 10 - 15 : Spring Break
Apr 07 - 23: Evaluation Window
Apr 25 : Last day of classes
Apr 28 - May 02 : Final Exams