Overview
The pure physics major is recommended for students intending to enter graduate school in Physics, or that want a deeper understanding of fundamental physics.
It consists of one of the University Physics sequences with two labs, plus PHY 306 (lab), PHY 321, PHY 340, PHY 350, PHY 351, PHY 360, PHY 362, PHY 506 (lab), PHY 540, and PHY 560.
Students interested in a Ph.D. program in physics are strongly encouraged to also take PHY 561.
To satisfy the College of Arts and Sciences writing requirement in the discipline, students majoring in Pure Physics are required to pass at least one writing intensive course within the Physics Department. These are PHY 306, PHY 362, and PHY 506. The requirement can also be fulfilled by passing WRS 233 with a grade of C- or higher.
Curriculum Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| University Physics Sequence | 10-11 | |
| Option 1: | ||
| University Physics I | ||
| University Physics II | ||
| University Physics III | ||
| University Physics II Lab | ||
| University Physics III Lab | ||
| Option 2: | ||
| University Physics I | ||
| Honors University Physics II-III | ||
| University Physics II Lab | ||
| University Physics III Lab | ||
| Option 3: | ||
| University Physics I for the Sciences | ||
| University Physics II for the Sciences | ||
| College Physics Laboratory I | ||
or PHY 224 | University Physics II Lab | |
| College Physics Laboratory II | ||
or PHY 225 | University Physics III Lab | |
| Option 4: | ||
| University Physics I for PRISM | ||
| University Physics II for PRISM | ||
| College Physics Laboratory I | ||
or PHY 224 | University Physics II Lab | |
| College Physics Laboratory II | ||
or PHY 225 | University Physics III Lab | |
| Upper Level Courses | ||
| PHY 306 | Intermediate Laboratory | 1 |
| PHY 321 | Thermodynamics and Kinetic Theory | 3 |
| PHY 340 | Classical Mechanics I | 3 |
| PHY 350 | Intermediate Electricity and Magnetism | 3 |
| PHY 351 | Intermediate Electricity and Magnetism II | 3 |
| PHY 360 | Introduction to Modern Physics | 3 |
| PHY 362 | Modern Physics Honors Seminar | 1 |
| PHY 506 | Advanced Laboratory | 1-2 |
| PHY 540 | Classical Mechanics II | 3 |
| PHY 560 | Quantum Mechanics and Modern Physics I | 3 |
| Math Requirements | ||
| MTH 151 | Calculus I for Engineers | 5 |
| or MTH 161 | Calculus I | |
| or MTH 171 | Calculus I | |
| MTH 162 | Calculus II | 4 |
| or MTH 172 | Calculus II | |
| MTH 210 | Introduction to Linear Algebra | 3 |
| MTH 211 | Calculus III | 3 |
| or MTH 310 | Multivariable Calculus | |
| MTH 311 | Introduction to Ordinary Differential Equations | 3 |
| General Education Requirements | ||
| Written Communication Skills: | ||
| WRS 105 | First-Year Writing I | 3 |
| WRS 106 | First-Year Writing II | 3 |
| or ENG 106 | Writing About Literature and Culture | |
| Quantitative Skills: | ||
| Calculus I for Engineers fulfilled through the major | ||
or MTH 161 | Calculus I | |
or MTH 171 | Calculus I | |
| Areas of Knowledge: | ||
| Arts and Humanities Cognate | 9 | |
| People and Society Cognate | 9 | |
| STEM Cognate (9 credits) (fulfilled through the major) | ||
| Additional Requirements | ||
| CSC 120 | Computer Programming I | 4 |
| 200-level language course | 3 | |
| Electives | 37 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120-122 | |
Plan of Study
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| PHY 221 | University Physics I | 3 |
| MTH 151 | Calculus I for Engineers | 5 |
| WRS 105 | First-Year Writing I | 3 |
| CSC 120 | Computer Programming I | 4 |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| PHY 222 | University Physics II | 3 |
| PHY 224 | University Physics II Lab | 1 |
| PHY 315 | Mathematical Tools for Physics | 3 |
| MTH 162 | Calculus II | 4 |
| WRS 106 or ENG 106 | First-Year Writing II or Writing About Literature and Culture | 3 |
| Cognate | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 17 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| PHY 223 | University Physics III | 3 |
| PHY 225 | University Physics III Lab | 1 |
| PHY 360 | Introduction to Modern Physics | 3 |
| PHY 362 | Modern Physics Honors Seminar | 1 |
| MTH 210 | Introduction to Linear Algebra | 3 |
| Language 101 | 3 | |
| Cognate | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| PHY 340 | Classical Mechanics I | 3 |
| PHY 306 | Intermediate Laboratory | 1 |
| MTH 211 | Calculus III | 3 |
| Language 102 | 3 | |
| Cognate | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| PHY 350 | Intermediate Electricity and Magnetism | 3 |
| MTH 311 | Introduction to Ordinary Differential Equations | 3 |
| Language 201 | 3 | |
| Cognate | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| PHY 321 | Thermodynamics and Kinetic Theory | 3 |
| PHY 351 | Intermediate Electricity and Magnetism II | 3 |
| MTH 224 | Introduction to Probability and Statistics | 3 |
| Cognate | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall | ||
| PHY 540 | Classical Mechanics II | 3 |
| PHY 560 | Quantum Mechanics and Modern Physics I | 3 |
| Cognate | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| PHY 506 | Advanced Laboratory | 1-2 |
| PHY 561 | Quantum Mechanics and Modern Physics II | 3 |
| Electives | 9 | |
| Credit Hours | 13-14 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120-121 | |
Mission
The mission of the Physics B.S. program is to provide students with a rigorous grounding in classical and modern theory, experience in advanced experimental techniques, and exposure to a broad spectrum of topics in physics research.
Goals
It is expected that graduates will be capable problem solvers, proficient critical and scientific thinkers, and possess backgrounds that prepare them for success in graduate school or their desired career path. Graduates will also be able to communicate their scientific ideas in written form to both scientifically literate and general audiences.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate the ability to solve problems in classical and modern physics and proficiency in theoretical and applied mathematics, making them competitive in their application at top graduate programs and/or in the job market.
- Students will be exposed to and engaged in forefront physics research. Students will learn first hand how research is performed in one of our labs, while contributing to one of our active research programs.
- Students will be able to report their work/ideas in written form to both the scientific community and a broader audience.
