New Physics Program

 

The physics major has been reorganized into a core+tracks format beginning Fall 2003. This provides a greater number of focused choices within the physics major. There are seven available tracks:

1)      Theoretical emphasis

2)      Experimental emphasis

3)      Computational emphasis

4)      Physics with Cooperative Engineering

5)      Physics with Prelaw

6)      Physics with Premed/Biophysics

7)      Physics Adolescent (Secondary) Education

 

 

 

To meet the requirements for a Bachelor of Science in Physics, students must complete the core courses listed below as well as one of the tracks I-VI.  To receive a Bachelor of Science in Physics Adolescent Education, students must complete the core courses and track VII.

 

Physics Core:

PHYS 230,231,232,233 University Physics I&II with labs                  10  

PHYS 234 – Modern Physics                                                               4

PHYS 330 – Thermodynamics                                                             3

PHYS 425 – Mathematical Physics I                                                    3

PHYS 431 – Quantum Mechanics                                                        3

PHYS 400 – Seminar                                                                           1

                                                                                                Total: 24

Required supporting core math courses:

MATH 122-123-223 – Calculus I-III                                                 12

MATH 224 – Differential Equations                                                      3

                                                                                                Total: 15

Track I – Theoretical Emphasis:

 

PHYS 331 – Theoretical Mechanics                                                     3

PHYS 333 – Electricity and Magnetism                                                3

PHYS 426 – Mathematical Physics II                                                   3

+ six additional hours of physics from 321-479, 490                              6

                                                                                                Total: 15

 

Plus 15 additional hours of science, mathematics, computer science, engineering, or education, including CSIT 106 or 121.  Recommended courses include MATH 231 and CHEM 115-116 (w/125-126).

 

 

Track II – Experimental Emphasis

 

PHYS 333 – Electricity and Magnetism                                                3

PHYS 426 – Mathematical Physics II                                                   3

PHYS 340-341 Optics w/lab                                                               4

Experimental Physics Project (independent study or tutorial)                  1

+ four additional hours of physics from 321-479, 490                           4

                                                                                                          15

Plus 15 additional hours of science, mathematics, computer science, engineering, or education, including CSIT 106 or 121.  CHEM 115-116 (w/125-126) is strongly recommended.  STAT 250 or 350 and MATH 231 is recommended.

 

Track III – Computational Emphasis

 

PHYS 331 – Theoretical Mechanics                                                     3

PHYS 333 – Electricity and Magnetism                                                3

PHYS 426 – Mathematical Physics II                                                   3

Computational Physics Project (independent study or tutorial)                1

+ four additional hours of physics from 321-479, 490                            4

                                                                                                Total: 14

Plus the following courses:

MATH 231 – Linear Algebra                                                               4

MATH 325 – Numerical Analysis                                                         3

CSIT 106 – C++ Programming or CSIT 121 – Computer Science I     3-4

CSIT 221 – Computer Science II                                                         4

                                                                                                Total: 14-15

STAT 350 is recommended.

 

Track IV – Physics with Cooperative Engineering

 

PHYS 321 – Engineering Mechanics I                                      4

PHYS 426 – Mathematical Physics II                                       3

One  course from PHYS 331 – Theoretical Mechanics and

PHYS 333 –Electricity and Magnetism                                     3

One course from PHYS 323 – Circuit Analysis I,

325/327 - Digital Logic w/lab, or 326/328 – Electronics w/lab  3-4

 

                                                                                                Total: 13-14

 

Plus 15 additional hours of science, mathematics, computer science, engineering, or education, including CSIT 106 or 121 and at least one additional course from PHYS 322 through 328 and 340 as advised.  Students interested in electrical engineering should take PHYS 323 and 324 while students interested in non-electrical engineering should take PHYS 322.  CHEM 115-116 (w/125-126) is strongly recommended and required by most engineering schools.

 

 

Track V – Physics with Prelaw

(excellent preparation for the expanding field of patent law, which requires substantial technical and mathematical knowledge in order to sit for the required licensing exam).

 

PHYS 340-341 – Optics w/lab                                                            4

+ nine additional hours of physics from 321-479                                    9

                                                                                                Total: 13

Plus the following courses:

 

STAT 250 or 350 - Statistics                                                                3

POLI 276 – Law and Society                                                               3

POLI 277 - Introduction to Law or

BAUD 310 – Legal Environment of Business                                        3

 

PHIL 106 – Critical Thinking or PHIL – 116 Deductive Logic               3

PHIL 218 – Intro. to Ethics or PHIL 310 – Business Ethics                   3

                                                                                                Total  15

 

Poly 370 – Constitutional Law and CHEM 115-116 (w/125-126) are recommended.

In fulfilling CCC requirements, students are advised to take ECON 201 or 202 and

PSY 129.

 

Track VI – Physics with Premed/Biophysics

(Physics majors are highly sought by medical schools, because mathematical and problem-solving abilities stressed in physics are more than ever needed in today's medical fields.  Due to their relative rarity, physics majors stand out in the applicant pool.  Sufficient time is allotted to take the biology and chemistry courses required by most medical schools and needed to prepare for the MCAT exam.  This program may also be followed by students preparing for graduate school in biophysics or related fields).

 

PHYS 340-341 – Optics or PHYS 325-327 – Electronics, w/labs        4

CHEM 215-216 w/225-226 Organic Chemistry w/labs                        8

                                                                                                Total:  12

Plus the following courses:

CHEM 115-116 w/125-126 – General Chemistry w/labs                     8

BIOL 144-145 Animal Biology and Evolution w/lab                              4

BIOL 241-241 Cell Biology w/lab                                                        4

BIOL 335 – Genetics                                                                           3

BIOL 336 – Mammalian Physiology w/lab                                            4

                                                                                                Total:   23

 

In fulfilling CCC requirements, students are advised to take an English course in addition to ENGL 100, and also PSY 129.  BIOL  333 – Biochemistry and BIOL 338 - Microbiology are recommended.

 

 

Track VII – Physics Adolescent (Secondary) Education

 

One course from PHYS 331 – Theoretical Mechanics

or PHYS 333 – Electricity and Magnetism                                            3

PHYS 340-341 – Optics w/lab                                                            4

+ six additional hours of physics from 311, 321-479, 490                      6

                                                                                                Total:   13

 

Plus the following courses:

 

CHEM 115-116 General Chemistry (w/125-126 labs)                          8

CSIT 106 or 121                                                                                 3-4

EDU 105/106  Intro. To Contemporary Education                                3

EDU 224 Adolescent Development and CAW                                      3

EDU 250/251 Intro. To Exceptional Child                                            3

EDU 276 Found. Of Literacy and Technology                                      3

EDU 305/313 Cultural and Linguistic Diversity in the Classroom            3

EDU 349 Educational Psychology                                                         3

EDU 419 Secondary Methods                                                              3

EDU 430 Student Teaching in the Secondary School                             15

                                                                                                Total: 47-48

 

Mathematics-Physics - BS

 

This program is designed for the student who desires a program which includes more mathematics than a typical physics degree, and who may be undecided as to whether they will attend graduate school in math or in physics.

The requirements of the major are as follows:

 

(32 to 33 credit hours in mathematics/computer science; 29 credit hours in physics; 9 credit hours in supporting courses).

CSIT 106 C/C++ Programming

or

CSIT 121 Computer Science I                                       3-4

 

Plus 29 hours in mathematics including:

MATH 122-123-223 University Calculus I, II & III                  12

MATH 210 Discrete Mathematics                                              4

MATH 224 Differential Equations                                               3

MATH 231 Linear Algebra                                                        4

Plus two courses at the 300 level or higher:

MATH 323 and MATH 420, or MATH 323 and PHYS 425,

or PHYS 425 and PHYS 426.                                                   6

  32-33

 

PHYS  230-231 University Physics I & II

and PHYS 232-233 (Labs)                                                      10

PHYS 234 Modern Physics                                                         4

PHYS 431 Intro. to Quantum Mechanics                                     3

 

One course (3 credit hours) from:                                                 3

PHYS 330 Thermodynamics,

PHYS 331 Theoretical Mechanics,

PHYS 333 Electricity and Magnetism

 

Plus 9 additional credit hours from PHYS 321

 through 479, 490                                                                        9

 29

Plus 9 credit hours of supporting courses as advised

 

Note: Tracks I-VI will result in a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physics, Track VII a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physics Adolescent Education.

Course descriptions and degree requirements for freshmen entering before fall 2003 or transfers entering before fall 2005, are also available. These students may follow either program.

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