This program is recommended for students who wish to obtain industrial employment or who wish to continue their studies for an advanced degree in physics, engineering, science or applied mathematics. Students who successfully complete this program will have a good understanding of the role of physics within the sciences and within society. Graduates of this program will have a solid understanding of the principles and foundations of classical and modern theories of physics. They will have practiced the methods and techniques of experimental physics; they will have practical experience in utilizing the analytical and modeling tools of physics. This rigorous program of study develops analytical, problem solving and communication skills which are valuable in a wide range of employment areas. This program requires a second major or minor.
Physics is commonly held as the most fundamental science. Physicists work to understand the dynamics of our universe from the smallest scales to the largest, and to express this understanding using the smallest possible number of laws and principles. Physics students develop a facility with mathematics and an intuition for solving complicated physical problems using fundamental principles. The curriculum for physics majors includes core courses in physics, mathematics and related sciences, plus a selection of core curriculum requirements. Physics prepares students for careers in industry, education, and advanced study in nearly any technical or engineering field. Physics is also an excellent choice of major for pre-medical or pre-law students.
The faculty of the Department of Physics and Astronomy are active researchers in nuclear physics, condensed matter physics, organic semi conducter physics, astronomy and astrophysics, and physics education research. Participation in research programs by undergraduates is strongly encouraged. Facilities include our Organic Semiconductor Physics Laboratory, Surface Physics Laboratory, Campus Observatory, and research grade telescopes (located in Arizona, Chile, and on the island of La Palma) available via our membership in the SARA Telescope Consortium.
The Physics with Emphasis in Biophysics is an interdisciplinary program for students who love physics and math and who want to work on the complex problems related to biology and medicine. Biophysics involves the frontiers of both physics and biology, where the toolbox of physics and math is applied to quantitative problems in biology. This program provides excellent undergraduate preparation for graduate work in biophysics, bioengineering, biology, physics, chemistry, biochemistry, computational biology, medical physics, and neurobiology. The chemistry courses comprise a minor in chemistry. Students considering the MCAT should consult with the JAMP faculty advisor early in and throughout their course of studies.
| Core Curriculum Courses | ||
| See the Core Curriculum Requirements | 42 | |
| Required courses in the major | ||
| PHYS 101 | Physics and Astronomy Seminar | 1 |
| University Physics I * | ||
| PHYS 2426 | University Physics II | 4 |
| PHYS 317 | Mathematical Methods for Physics and Engineering | 3 |
| PHYS 321 | Modern Physics | 3 |
| PHYS 333 | Wave Motion, Acoustics, and Optics | 4 |
| PHYS 335 | Advanced Physics Laboratory | 3 |
| Choose two from the following: | 6 | |
| Classical Mechanics | ||
| Electricity and Magnetism | ||
| Thermodynamics and Kinetic Theory | ||
| Quantum Mechanics | ||
| Support courses | ||
| Calculus I * | ||
| MATH 2414 | Calculus II | 4 |
| MATH 2415 | Calculus III | 4 |
| Emphasis Courses | ||
| PHYS 119 | Introduction to Python Computer Programming for the Physical Sciences | 1 |
| PHYS 319 | Computational Physics with Python | 3 |
| PHYS 401 | Current Topics in Physics and Astronomy (1 sh, must be repeated for total of 2 sh) | 2 |
| 6 SCH additional PHYS 400-level courses | 6 | |
| BSC 1406 | Introductory Biology I | 4 |
| BSC 1407 | Introductory Biology II | 4 |
| BSC 303 | Cell Biology | 4 |
| BSC 304 | Genetics | 4 |
| BSC 401 | Research Literature and Seminar | 3 |
| General and Quantitative Chemistry I * | ||
| General and Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory I * | ||
| CHEM 1112 | General and Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory II | 1 |
| CHEM 1312 | General and Quantitative Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 2323 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 351 | Physical Chemistry | 4 |
| CHEM 2123 | Organic Chemistry Laboratory I | 1 |
| Electives: Choose 8 credit hours from the following | 8 | |
| Organic Chemistry II ** | ||
| Organic Chemistry Laboratory II ** | ||
| Physical Chemistry | ||
| Applied Microbiology | ||
| Electronics for Scientists and Engineers | ||
| Total Hours | 125 | |
This course should be taken to fulfill Core Curriculum Requirements.
Students considering taking the MCAT are encouraged to take this elective.
A grade of “C” or higher must be earned in all courses in this Major.
