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Physics, B.A.

MAJOR IN SUSPENSION - effective May 13, 2022, additional students may not declare a Physics major while it is in suspension; the Physics minor is still active and available.

I. Major Program Requirements

Required classes:

PHYS 155Robotics/Experimental Physics

3
PHYS 160Einstein's Physics

3
PHYS 205Physics Using Calculus I: Mechanics

4
PHYS 206Physics Using Calculus II

4
PHYS 305Electronics/Circuit Anlys I

4
PHYS 323Optics & Electromagnetic Radiation

3.5
PHYS 331Computational Physics

3
PHYS 340Classical Mechanics

3
PHYS 342Thermal Physics

3
PHYS 345Electromagnetism

3
PHYS 346Quantum Mechanics

3
PHYS 452Advanced Physics (WI) Lab

3

II. Math Requirements

Required classes:

MA 121Differential Calculus

3
and
MA 122Integral Calculus

3
or
MA 131Calculus of Single Variable Functions

4
 
MA 141Introduction to Mathematical Modeling

4
MA 233Multivariable Calculus

4
MA 315Probability and Statistics

3
MA 334Adv Diff Equations & Linear Algebra

4
MA 342Applied Numerical Methods & Analysis-WI

3

III. Other Program Requirements

Required classes:

CS 111Introduction to Computer Programming

3
ENWR 305Workplace Writing (WI)

3

Plus 8 credits of another science

CH 101General Chemistry I

3
CH 101LGeneral Chemistry I Lab General Chemistry Lab

1
CH 102General Chemistry II

3
CH 102LGeneral Chemistry II Lab

1
 
BI 121Foundations of Cell & Molecular Biology

3
BI 131Lab Explorations Cellular &Molecular BI

1
BI 132Physiology and Ecology Lab

1
and
BI 122Foundations of Organismal & Evol Biology

3
or
BI 123Fnds of Ecology Evolution & Diversity

3
 
ES 111Earth Science

4
ES XXXEnvironmental Science elective course

4

Note:

  1. All physics majors must maintain a cumulative grade-point average of 2.0 or higher in all required courses (Sections I–III above), and must pass each individual course with a grade of at least “C-”. Students may not enroll in a required course without having first passed its prerequisites with a grade of “C-” or better.
  2. Students entering with a score of 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement Physics C–Mechanics exam may receive credit for PHYS 205; likewise, those with a 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement Physics C–Electricity/ Magnetism exam may receive credit for PHYS 206.
  3. PHIL 252 (Philosophy and History of Science) and/or TH 254 (Theology and Science) may be of particular interest to physics majors.
  4. If EAS 302 (Advanced Earth Science) is not offered, an alternative course is EAS 320 (Geomorphology), offered Fall semesters of odd years.