The bachelor of science degree in physics lays the foundation to begin a career or to continue your education for a higher degree in graduate school in physics or other fields, such as law or medicine. The program has a high fraction of electives so that each student, in consultation with their advisor, can tailor a special program which suits their needs. This makes it easy to minor in Computer Science, Mathematics, or other fields. We offer a Five Year Masters Program for students of high achievement, and special programs for enhanced cooperative learning. To prepare in high school for our physics program, you should take as much mathematics, chemistry and physics as possible.

FRESHMAN YEAR

First Semester......................................CREDIT
General Chemistry (Chem 1 & 2).....................5
Intro to Lab Safety (Chem 4)...........................1
Exposition & Argument (Engl 20).....................3
Calculus (Math 8)............................................5
Introduction to Physics (Phys 1).......................1
TOTAL.........................................................15

Second Semester.................................CREDIT
General Chemistry (Chem 3 & 8)....................5
American History or approved substitute
(Hist 112, 175, 176 or Pol Sci 90)..................3
Calculus (Math 21).........................................5
General Physics (Phys 21)..............................4
Gen Phys Laboratory (Phys 22 or 27)............1
TOTAL.......................................................18

SOPHOMORE YEAR

First Semester.....................................CREDIT
Writing and Research (Engl 60).................3
Calculus (Math 22)..................................4
General Physics (Phys 25).......................4
Gen Phys Laboratory (Phys 26 or 28).......1
Scientific Program. (Comp Sci 73 & 77)....3
Electives.................................................3
TOTAL................................................18

Second Semester.................................CREDIT
Differential Eqs (Math 204).......................3
Modern Physics I (Phys 207)....................3
Intro to Theoret Physics (Phys 208)...........3
Intermediate Phys Lab (Phys 212).............3
Electives..................................................3
TOTAL.................................................15

JUNIOR YEAR

First Semester.....................................CREDIT
Modern Physics II (Phys 307)...................3
Physical Mechanics (Phys 308).................3
Advanced Phys Lab I (Phys 322)..............2
Math/Statistics Elective.............................3
Electives..................................................6
TOTAL.................................................17

Second Semester.................................CREDIT
Electricity and Mag I (Phys 221)................3
Advanced Phys Lab II (Phys 332).............2
Math/Statistics Elective.............................3
Electives..................................................9
TOTAL.................................................17

SENIOR YEAR

First Semester.....................................CREDIT
Electricity and Mag II (Phys 321)...............3
Quantum Mechanics (Phys 361).................3
Electives...................................................9
TOTAL..................................................15

Second Semester.................................CREDIT
Thermal Physics (Phys 311)......................3
Humanities Elective (300 level)..................3
Electives..................................................9
TOTAL.................................................15

Six hours of mathematics beyond Math 204 are required; e.g., Linear Algebra (Math 208), Partial Differential Equations (Math 325), Complex Variables (Math 351), and Vector/Tensor Analysis (Math 322) are recommended.

Your choice of electives must include six hours of humanities and six hours of social sciences. Yet 27 hours of completely free electives are still available for you to explore your interests or to develop an emphasis area. Typical electives cover topics such as astrophysics, computational physics, lasers and quantum electronics, particle physics, atmospheric physics, optical communications, materials science, music, theatre, art and film, advanced mathematics and engineering.