Bachelor of Science in Physics Degree
Learning Goals Map
(Revised 3/25/09)
Physics Learning
goals (revised 6/06):
1) Students can design procedures for controlled experiments, interpret data graphically and statistically, and perform error analysis, including error propagation and identification of systematic and random errors. Students can skillfully operate standard laboratory equipment such as oscilloscopes, function generators, multimeters, power supplies, frequency counters, spectrometers, and measuring instruments with vernier scales. They understand the limitations of the instruments and equipment.
2) Students can gather information from a variety of sources and combine in a thoughtful way, along with background knowledge, into a coherent presentation. Students have proper degree of skepticism and awareness of the possibility of errors in sources and are sensitive to contradictions and ambiguities. Students ask questions that a trained physicist would naturally ask in a given situation and seek clarification until a satisfying conclusion is reached.
3) Students achieve a working knowledge of the major fields of physics – Newtonian mechanics, classical electricity and magnetism, waves, thermodynamics, special relativity, and quantum mechanics. They understand the consequences of the basic conservation laws of energy, momentum, angular momentum, and electric charge. They are capable of solving problems that require combining concepts from multiple fields.
4) Students achieve a level of mathematical competency that enables them to solve a wide variety of problems in physics. These include multivariate and vector calculus, ordinary and partial differential equations, vectors and tensors, matrix algebra, and functions of a complex variable.
Physics Core:
|
Required
Course |
Cr.
Hrs |
Learning
goals |
|
Phys
230 |
4 |
3,4 |
|
Phys
231 |
4 |
3,4 |
|
Phys
232 |
1 |
1,3,4 |
|
Phys
233 |
1 |
1,3,4 |
|
Phys
234 |
4 |
1,2,3,4 |
|
Phys
330 |
3 |
3,4 |
|
Phys
400 |
1 |
2 |
|
Phys
425 |
3 |
3,4 |
|
Phys
431 |
3 |
3,4 |
|
Math
122 |
4 |
4 |
|
Math
123 |
4 |
4 |
|
Math
223 |
4 |
4 |
|
Math
224 |
3 |
4 |
|
CSIT
106 or 121 |
3 |
4 |
Track I –
Theoretical emphasis:
|
Required
Course |
Cr.
Hrs |
Learning
Goals |
|
Phys
331 |
3 |
3,4 |
|
Phys
333 |
3 |
3,4 |
|
Phys
426 |
3 |
3,4 |
|
Phys.
elective |
3 |
varied |
|
Phys
elective |
3 |
varied |
Note:
electives to consist of 6 or more credits from PHYS 321-479,490.
Track II – Experimental emphasis:
|
Required
Course |
Cr.
Hrs |
Learning
Goals |
|
Phys
333 |
3 |
3,4 |
|
Phys
340 |
3 |
2,3,4 |
|
Phys
341 |
1 |
1,2 |
|
Phys.
426 |
3 |
3,4 |
|
Phys
450 or Expt. project |
1 |
1,2 |
|
Phys
elective(s) |
4 |
varied |
|
|
|
|
Note:
electives to consist of 4 or more credits from PHYS 321-479,490.
Track III – Computational emphasis:
|
Required
Course |
Cr.
Hrs |
Learning
Goals |
|
Phys
331 |
3 |
3,4 |
|
Phys
333 |
3 |
3,4 |
|
Phys
426 |
3 |
3,4 |
|
Comp.
Phys. project |
1 |
2,4 |
|
Phys
elective(s) |
4 |
varied |
|
|
|
|
|
Math
231 |
4 |
4 |
|
Math
325 |
3 |
4 |
|
Csit 221 |
3 |
4 |
Note:
electives to consist of 4 or more credits from PHYS 321-479,490.
Track IV – Physics with Cooperative
Engineering:
|
Required
Course |
Cr.
Hrs |
Learning
Goals |
|
Phys
321 |
4 |
3 |
|
Phys
426 |
3 |
3,4 |
|
Phys
331 or 333 |
3 |
3,4 |
|
Phys.
323 or 325/326 or 326/328 |
3-4 |
1,3,4 |
Plus 12
additional hours of Science, Mathematics, computer science, engineering or
education (includes additional physics courses – one must be from PHYS 322-328
or 340/341):
|
Elective
Course |
Cr.
Hrs |
Learning
Goals |
|
PHYS
322-328, 340/341 |
3-4 |
varied |
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
Track V– Physics with Prelaw:
|
Required
Course |
Cr.
Hrs |
Learning
Goals |
|
Phys
340 |
3 |
2,3,4 |
|
Phys
341 |
1 |
1,2 |
|
Phys
elective |
3 |
varied |
|
Phys.
elective |
3 |
varied |
|
Phys
elective |
3 |
varied |
|
Stat
250 or 350 |
3 |
4 |
|
Poli 276 |
3 |
|
|
Poli 277
or Buad 310 |
3 |
|
|
Phil
106 or 116 |
3 |
|
|
Phil
218 or Phil 310 |
3 |
|
Note: electives
to consist of 9 or more credits from PHYS 321-479,490.
Track VI – Physics with
Premed/Biophysics:
|
Required
Course |
Cr.
Hrs |
Learning
goals |
|
Phys
340or Phys 325 |
3 |
3,4 |
|
Phys
341 or Phys 327 |
1 |
1,2 |
|
Chem 115 |
3 |
|
|
Chem 116 |
3 |
|
|
Chem 125 |
1 |
|
|
Chem 126 |
1 |
|
|
Chem 215 |
3 |
|
|
Chem 216 |
3 |
|
|
Chem 225 |
1 |
|
|
Chem 226 |
1 |
|
|
Biol 131 |
3 |
|
|
Biol 132 |
1 |
|
|
Biol 133 |
3 |
|
|
Biol 134 |
1 |
|
|
Biol 237 |
3 |
|
|
Biol 238 |
1 |
|
|
Biol 336 |
3 |
|
|
Biol 337 |
1 |
|
Elective course learning goals not
given above
|
Required
Course |
Cr.
Hrs |
Learning
Goals |
|
Phys
322 |
3 |
3 |
|
Phys
324 |
3 |
3,4 |
|
Phys
325 |
3 |
3,4 |
|
Phys
327 |
3 |
1,2 |
|
Phys
434 |
3 |
3,4 |
|
Phys
440 |
1 |
2,3,4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|