Four-Year Degree Plan for Major in Physics, B.S.
Note that this is a sample four-year plan. There are other course sequences that will allow a student to graduate within four years as long as prerequisite courses are taken in the proper sequence. This sample plan does not guarantee course availability, and adjustments to students’ plans may be necessary if they are unable to take specific courses during specific semesters. Students who are placed into lower level FYW, MAT or other prerequisite courses will need to adjust their four-year plans accordingly.
Similarly, students who bring in Advanced Placement, Dual Enrollment or transfer credit for courses will need to adjust their four-year plans. A minimum of a 2.0 GPA both overall and in the major is required for graduation. In addition to major requirements, all components of the Baccalaureate Experience must be completed in order to graduate.
Degree Requirements
First (Freshman) Year - Fall Semester
PHY 205 | General Physics with Calculus I | 4 |
PHY 205L | General Physics with Calculus I Laboratory | 0 |
MAT 260 | Calculus I | 4 |
FYW 101 | Writing and Inquiry | 4 |
| Social Science (Bacc. Exp) | 4 |
GTW 101 | Gateways | 1 |
| or | |
HON 101 | Pathways to Honors 1 | 1 |
Total Credit Hours: | 17 |
First (Freshman) Year - Spring Semester
PHY 206 | General Physics with Calculus II | 4 |
PHY 206L | General Physics with Calculus II Laboratory | 0 |
MAT 261 | Calculus II | 4 |
AWR 201 | Writing and Research | 4 |
| Humanities (Bacc. Exp.) | 4 |
GTW 102 | Gateways II | 1 |
| or | |
HON 102 | Pathways to Honors 2 | 1 |
Total Credit Hours: | 17 |
Second (Sophomore) Year - Fall Semester
PHY 307 | Modern Physics | 4 |
MAT 262 | Calculus III | 4 |
| Biological Science (Bacc. Exp.) | 3 |
| Humanities/Fine Arts (Bacc. Exp.) | 4 |
Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Humanities/Fine Arts: (W)
Second (Sophomore) Year - Spring Semester
PHY 320 | Classical Mechanics | 4 |
MAT 300 | Differential Equations | 4 |
| Physics Elective | 4 |
| Social Science (Bacc. Exp) | 4 |
Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Social Science: (IG) (NW)
Third (Junior) Year - Fall Semester
PHY 340 | Electricity and Magnetism | 4 |
| Physics Elective | 4 |
MAT | MAT Elective | 4 |
| Humanities/Fine Arts (Bacc. Exp.) | 4 |
Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Humanities/Fine Arts: (A)
Third (Junior) Year - Spring Semester
PHY 350 | Advanced Physics Lab | 4 |
| Physics Elective | 4 |
| General Elective (W) | 4 |
| General Elective (IG) (NW) | 4 |
Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Fourth (Senior) Year - Fall Semester
PHY 360 | Quantum Mechanics | 4 |
PHY 451 | Physics Research | 1-4 |
| Physics Elective | 4 |
| Social Science (Bacc. Exp) | 4 |
| General Elective | 4 |
Total Credit Hours: | 18 |
Social Science: (IG) (NW)
2 credits of PHY 451 should be taken
Fourth (Senior) Year - Spring Semester
PHY 430 | Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics | 4 |
PHY 451 | Physics Research | 1-4 |
| General Elective (W) | 4 |
| General Elective | 4 |
Total Credit Hours: | 14 |
2 credits of
PHY 451 should be taken
Total Credit Hours: 129
Note: The math requirement and physical science component of the Baccalaureate Experience are fulfilled by courses in the above sequence (i.e.,
PHY 205,
MAT 260).