Physics Curriculum (PDF)

Curriculum for B.S. Degree in Physics

Freshman Year

First Semester Second Semester PHY 109 Freshman Seminar PHY 111 Physics for Sci. & Eng. I [1] MTH 113 Calc. Applied Sci. & Eng. I [2] MTH 114 Calc. Applied Sci. & Eng. II [2] EGR 101 Intro. Engineering App. Sci. I EGR 102 Intro. Engineering App. Sci. II ENL 101 Critical Writing & Reading I ENL 102 Critical Writing & Reading II CIS115 Computer Programming With C [3,4] General Education Elective [5]

Sophmore Year

First Semester Second Semester PHY 112 Physics for Sci. & Eng. II [1] PHY 213 Applied Modern Physics PHY 115 Introduction to Classical Physics [6] PHY 234 Intermediate Math. Physics PHY 225 Intro. Experimental Physics I PHY 227 Intro. Experimental Physics II MTH 213 Calc. Applied Sci. & Eng. III [2] MTH 212 Diff. Equations (Recommended) ENL 266 Technical Communications [7] General Education Elective [5] General Education Elective [5]

Junior Year

First Semester Second Semester PHY 341 Modern Phy. and Quant. Mech. I PHY 342 Modern Phy. and Quant. Mech. II PHY 313 Mechanics PHY 411 Electric and Magnetic Fields I PHY 441 Statistical Thermodynamics PHY 322 Elec. Devices & Circuits II [8] Science Elective [9] Science Elective [9] General Education Elective [5] Free Elective

Senior Year

First Semester Second Semester PHY 442 Elements of Solid State Physics PHY 421[8] Advanced Laboratory PHY Physics Elective (200+ Level) PHY Physics Elective (300+ Level) Free Elective PHY Physics Elective (300+ Level) Free Elective Free Elective General Education Elective [5] General Education Elective [5] TOTAL CREDITS = 122

Curriculum for B.S. Degree in Physics – Astronomy/Astrophysics Option 

Freshman Year

First Semester

C

Second Semester

C

PHY 109

Freshman Seminar

2

PHY 111

Physics for Sci. & Eng. I [1]

4

MTH 113

Calc. Applied Sci. & Eng. I [2]

4

MTH 114

Calc. Applied Sci. & Eng. II [2]

4

EGR 101

Intro. Eng. & Applied Sci. I

2

EGR 102

Intro. Eng. & Applied Sci. II

2

ENL 101

Critical Writing & Reading I

3

ENL 102

Critical Writing & Reading II

3

CIS 115

Computer Programming with C [3][4]

3

General Education Elective [5]

3

14

16

Sophomore Year

First Semester

C

Second Semester

C

PHY 112

Physics for Sci. & Eng. II [1]

4

PHY 213

Applied Modern Physics

3

PHY 115

Intro. to Classical Phys. [6]

3

PHY 234

Intermediate Math. Physics

3

PHY 225

Intro. Experimental Phys. I

2

PHY 227

Intro. Experimental Phys. I

1

MTH 213

Calc. Applied Sci. & Eng. III [2]

4

MTH 212

Diff. Eq. (recommended)

3

ENL 266

Technical Communications [7]

3

General Education Elective [5]

3

General Education Elective [5]

3

16

16

Junior Year

First Semester

C

Second Semester

C

PHY 341

Mod. Phys. & Quantum Mech I

3

PHY 342

Mod. Phys. & Quantum Mech II

3

PHY 313

Mechanics

3

PHY 411

Electric & Magnetic Fields I

3

PHY 441

Statistical Thermodynamics

3

PHY 322

Elec. Devices & Circuits II [8]

3

PHY 252

Elementary Astrophysics [9]

3

PHY 363

Intermediate Astrophysics [9]

3

General Education Elective [5]

3

Free  Elective

3

15

15

Senior Year

First Semester

C

Second Semester

C

PHY 442

Solid State Physics

3

PHY 421

Advanced Laboratory [8]

3

PHY

Advanced Astrophysics [10]

3

PHY 480

Astro. Project (optional)

3

Free Elective

3

PHY

Physics Elective (300+ level)

3

Free Elective

3

Free Elective

3

General Education Elective [5]

3

General Education Elective [5]

3

15

15

TOTAL CREDITS = 122    

[1] The non-IMPULSE courses PHY 113 & PHY 114 can substitute for PHY 111 & PHY 112 respectively

[2] The non-IMPULSE courses MTH 111, MTH 112 & MTH 211 can substitute for MTH 113, MTH 114 & MTH 213 respectively

[3] The courses CIS 180 and ECE 160 also satisfy this requirement. Other courses may be substituted with approval of faculty advisor

[4] This course meets the General Education Area I (Tier II) requirement: Information and Computer Literacy.

[5] Students must complete sufficient credits to satisfy the University’s General Education requirements (Areas C, D, E & G).

[6] This course satisfies the General Education Area O requirement (Oral communication).

[7] This course satisfies the General Education Area W requirement (Written communication).

[8] A minimum of 6 credits of advanced lab. courses is required.  Other courses may be substituted with approval of faculty advisor.

[9] Students must complete 6 credits in a second science mathematics or engineering. Courses from one of BIO, CHM, CIS, ECE, MNE, MTH or Astrophysics (PHY 252 & PHY 363) which satisfy the major requirement for the respective department may be selected. The courses must be approved by the faculty advisor.

[10] At least one of the following options, depending on availability: (i) another upper-level astrophysics course, such as PHY 510; (ii) astronomy observing methods course, such as PHY 421 (when offered in the astronomy mode), or the equivalent independent-study under the supervision of a faculty member; or (iii) semester research project in astronomy/astrophysics under the supervision of a faculty member.