Catalog 2014-2015

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 205General Physics with Calculus I

4

PHY 205LGeneral Physics with Calculus I Laboratory

0

MAT 260Calculus I

4

FYW 101Writing and Inquiry

4

Social Science (Bacc. Exp)

4

GTW 101Gateways

1

or

HON 101Pathways to Honors 1

1

Total Credit Hours:17

First (Freshman) Year - Spring Semester

PHY 206General Physics with Calculus II

4

PHY 206LGeneral Physics with Calculus II Laboratory

0

MAT 261Calculus II

4

AWR 201Writing and Research

4

Humanities (Bacc. Exp.)

4

GTW 102Gateways II

1

or

HON 102Pathways to Honors 2

1

Total Credit Hours:17

Second (Sophomore) Year - Fall Semester

PHY 307Modern Physics

4

MAT 262Calculus 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 320Classical Mechanics

4

MAT 300Differential Equations

4

Physics Elective

4

Social Science (Bacc. Exp)

4

Total Credit Hours:16
Social Science: (IG) (NW)

Third (Junior) Year - Fall Semester

 

PHY 340Electricity 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 350Advanced 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 360Quantum Mechanics

4

PHY 451Physics 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 430Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics

4

PHY 451Physics 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).