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.
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, 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, our 16-inch Campus Observatory, and the research grade telescopes (located in Arizona, Chile, and on the island of La Palma) available via our membership in the SARA Telescope Consortium.
| Core Curriculum Courses | ||
| See the Core Curriculum Requirements | 42 | |
| Required courses in the major | ||
| 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 | ||
| Emphasis courses | ||
| PHYS 151 | Physics From Absolute Zero I *** | 3 |
Calculus-ready transfer students may substitute an advanced PHYS or ASTR or MATH elective for PHYS 151 | ||
| PHYS 119 | Introduction to Python Computer Programming for the Physical Sciences | 1 |
| PHYS 319 | Computational Physics with Python | 3 |
| PHYS 332 | Electronics for Scientists and Engineers | 4 |
| 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 | 6 | |
| PHYS or ASTR or MATH (Adv) | 6 | |
| Support courses ** | ||
| Calculus I * | ||
| Calculus II | ||
| MATH 2415 | Calculus III | 4 |
| MATH 2320 | Differential Equations | 3 |
| MATH 2318 | Linear Algebra | 3 |
| General and Quantitative Chemistry I * | ||
| CHEM 1111 | General and Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory I | 1 |
| Second Major or Minor or Electives | ||
| 19 - 23 semester hours required in second major or minor or electives | 19-23 | |
| Total Hours | 120-124 | |
This course should be taken to fulfill Core Curriculum Requirements.
These courses may apply on the second major or minor.
Course required to be taken in the first semester by all first year students.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| PHYS 101 | Physics and Astronomy Seminar | 1 |
| PHYS 119 | Introduction to Python Computer Programming for the Physical Sciences | 1 |
| MATH 2413 | Calculus I | 4 |
| PHYS 2425 | University Physics I | 4 |
| CID 2301 | The Human Experience | 3 |
| Core Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| MATH 2414 | Calculus II | 4 |
| PHYS 2426 | University Physics II | 4 |
| CHEM 1311 | General and Quantitative Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 1111 | General and Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory I | 1 |
| Core Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| MATH 2415 | Calculus III | 4 |
| PHYS 333 | Wave Motion, Acoustics, and Optics | 4 |
| Core Requirement | 3 | |
| Core Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| MATH 2320 | Differential Equations | 3 |
| PHYS 321 | Modern Physics | 3 |
| PHYS 319 | Computational Physics with Python | 3 |
| Core Requirement | 3 | |
| Core Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| MATH 2318 | Linear Algebra | 3 |
| PHYS 317 | Mathematical Methods for Physics and Engineering | 3 |
| PHYS 335 | Advanced Physics Laboratory | 3 |
| PHYS 411 or PHYS 414 |
Classical Mechanics * or Thermodynamics and Kinetic Theory |
3 |
| Core Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| PHYS 401 | Current Topics in Physics and Astronomy | 1 |
| PHYS 412 or PHYS 420 |
Electricity and Magnetism * or Quantum Mechanics |
3 |
| Adv PHYS/ASTR/MATH Elective | 3 | |
| Minor / 2nd Major Course | 3 | |
| Minor / 2nd Major Course | 3 | |
| Core Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| PHYS 401 | Current Topics in Physics and Astronomy | 1 |
| PHYS 414 or PHYS 411 |
Thermodynamics and Kinetic Theory * or Classical Mechanics |
3 |
| Adv PHY/ASTR/MATH Elective | 3 | |
| Minor / 2nd Major Course | 3 | |
| Minor / 2nd Major Course | 3 | |
| Core Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| PHYS 420 or PHYS 412 |
Quantum Mechanics * or Electricity and Magnetism |
3 |
| PHYS 332 | Electronics for Scientists and Engineers | 4 |
| Minor / 2nd Major Course | 3 | |
| Minor / 2nd Major Course | 3 | |
| Core Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Total Hours | 123 | |
PHYS 400-level courses only taught on alternate years
