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Physics Major (Professional Physics Track) – Bachelor of Science

Program Competencies

Students will:

  1. Develop enough learning techniques to adapt to new vocational and educational situations, i.e. be able to self-educate in new applied areas and keep up with progress in the field.
  2. Develop enough self-confidence, personal independence and understanding of scientific methods to carry out a technical project on one's own with only consultant-style help.
  3. Read technical literature with good comprehension.
  4. Write technical reports in a clear and logical way.
  5. Present oral reports on technical material in a clear and logical way.
  6. Be able to retrieve any needed information from the scientific literature.
  7. Analyze laboratory data for its correctness and locate probable sources of error, including an understanding of standard statistical tests and the concepts of error and uncertainty, and an understanding of the advantages and limitations of current instrumental and other laboratory techniques.
  8. Be able to use the basic principles of physics as presented in the first-year class in a wide variety of contexts, especially the relationship force to motion. Be able to relate scientific principles to observed behavior.
  9. Comprehend the major concepts of Newtonian analysis of motion, energy and momentum conservation, rotational motion, electric and magnetic fields and optics, including interference.

Assessment

  1. Force Concept Inventory.
  2. Capstone Presentation.
  3. Research Project Knowledge Scores.
  4. Research Presentation Communication Scores.
  5. Research Paper Scores.

Program Requirements

General Education

General Education Courses(See GNED Course Listings)

Variable
MATH 175Calculus I

4
Total Credit Hours:34

Refer to the General Education section for a complete listing of general education requirements for the University. Program requirements that are also general education requirements will count in both places (as applicable).

Major Requirements

Physics Major Core Requirements

CHEM 111Principles of Chemistry I

4
CHEM 112Principles of Chemistry II

4
MATH 275Calculus II

4
MATH 276Calculus III

4
MATH 363Differential Equations

3
PHYS 105Introduction to Physics and Engineering Professions

1
PHYS 181Introduction to Scientific Computing

3
PHYS 231Engineering Physics I

5
PHYS 232Engineering Physics II

5
PHYS 340Experimental Physics

3
PHYS 353Modern Physics I

4
PHYS 354Modern Physics II

3
PHYS 361Fundamentals of Electronics

3
PHYS 412Light and Physical Optics

3
PHYS 497Senior Research 1

3
PHYS 498Senior Research II

2
Total Credit Hours:54

Professional Physics Track Requirements

(intended for students who wish to pursue graduate studies in Physics)

PHYS 332Electricity and Magnetism I

3
PHYS 333Electricity & Magnetism II

3
PHYS 483Classical Mechanics

4
PHYS 493Quantum Mechanics

3
Total Credit Hours:13

Minor

All majors must also include a minor or additional major. See Terms to Know.

Total Credit Hours:21

Free Electives

Free Electives (chosen by student)

variable

Total Credit Hours: 120