Physics Sample Plan of Study
Following is one possible way to complete the major.
Students should fill in gaps with coursework required for the core curriculum and other majors/minors to take an average of 14 credit hours each fall and spring, and 3-4 credit hours each Interim. Total credit hours needs to be 124 for degree completion.
First Year
Fall Semester
For students that have completed Calculus, taking PHYS 221 General Physics I in your first semester is preferred. Questions can be directed to the Physics Department chair.
| FYS 110 | First Year Seminar I (FS) | 4 |
| MATH 151 | Calculus I (MT) | 4 |
| | Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course | 3-4 |
| | Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course | 3-4 |
Interim
| | Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course | 3-4 |
Spring Semester
| PHYS 221 | General Physics I (NS) | 4 |
| MATH 152 | Calculus II | 4 |
| | Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course | 3-4 |
| | Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course | 3-4 |
Second Year
Fall Semester
| MATH 310 | Differential Equations | 3 |
| PHYS 222 | General Physics II | 4 |
| | Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course | 3-4 |
| | Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course | 3-4 |
Interim
| | Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course | 3-4 |
Spring Semester
| MATH 153 | Calculus III | 3 |
| PHYS 370 | Modern Physics Lab | 1 |
| PHYS 371 | Modern Physics I | 3 |
| | Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course | 3-4 |
| | Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course | 3-4 |
Third Year
Fall Semester
| PHYS 321 | Computational Physics | 3 |
| | Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course | 3-4 |
| | Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course | 3-4 |
| | Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course | 3-4 |
Interim
| | Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course | 3-4 |
Spring Semester
| PHYS | Elective Course | 3-4 |
| | Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course | 3-4 |
| | Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course | 3-4 |
| | Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course | 3-4 |
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
| PHYS 281 | Intermediate Laboratory | 3 |
| PHYS | Elective Course | 3-4 |
| | Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course | 3-4 |
| | Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course | 3-4 |
| | Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course | 3-4 |
Interim
| | Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course | 3-4 |
Spring Semester
| PHYS 381 | Advanced Laboratory (W) | 3 |
| PHYS | Elective Course | 3-4 |
| | Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course | 3-4 |
| | Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course | 3-4 |
Distinction in Physics:
A student may graduate with Distinction in Physics by: 1) Completing the physics major, including PHYS 341, PHYS 351, PHYS 361, PHYS 371 and PHYS 373. A major with distinction shall include completion of 24 credit hours in the department at the 300-level; 2) Maintaining a department grade point average of 3.0; 3) Completing two research credits, one of which will be PHYS 391; 4) Completing the Graduate Record Exam in Physics and 5) Completing and defending a senior thesis (PHYS 391) based on the student’s research, as described in the PHYS 391 course description.
Applications for Distinction in Physics must be received by the department chair and accepted by the third class day of the student’s last semester. Application forms are available from the department chair.