Physics
Course
listings for Physics
Faculty
Professors Gerald Crawford and Tom D. Norton;
Associate Professor Martha S. Iverson;
Assistant Professor Ashley Shultz.
The
Bachelor of Science degree in Physics is designed to allow students
to attain their professional goal of entering graduate work in physics
or astrophysics; to obtain technical positions in industry in such areas
as applied optics, engineering, and electronics; or to obtain preparation
for secondary certification in teaching physics in public schools. The
geologist, engineer, chemist, and biologist all deal with matter and
energy in their various forms. Since physicists probe the physical laws
underlying all physical processes, the study of physics becomes the
cornerstone for all the natural sciences.
The
physics curriculum is predicated upon the role physicists play in a
modern, technological world society that is currently experiencing shortages
of trained personnel in various scientific areas and in science education.
Coursework in physics will provide the student pursuing entrance to
graduate school in physics or astronomy with a strong grounding in mathematics
and physics, while being immersed in an atmosphere of a broad, liberal
education in the humanities and social sciences. This curriculum also
will enable a student to enter applied technical fields in industry
such as electronics, optics, and aerospace, where there is currently
a high demand. Students seeking a degree in physics should consult early
in their college career with staff members of the Physics Department.
A
minor in physics is available for students majoring in other disciplines.
Requirements for a minor in physics are listed at the end of this section.
REQUIREMENTS
FOR A BACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN PHYSICS:
General
Education Credits
Comp 150 or Comp 125/126 ..........4-8
Library 150 ..........1
PE/Wellness (ES 100 plus 1 skills, 1 fitness) ..........3
Thematic Studies I (1 course in each of 4 knowledge areas;
1 must be a science with attached lab) ..........12-16
Thematic Studies II (1 course in each of 4 knowledge areas;
prerequisites: Comp 150, Lib 150, all 4 Thematic Studies I courses)
..........12-16
*Tier II writing requirement is part of the Major
Total
..........32-44
All
courses listed under Specific Departmental Requirements, Additional
Departmental Requirements, and Auxiliary Requirements from other departments
must be passed with a grade of C- or higher.
Specific
Departmental Requirements:
**=May also be counted toward TS I requirements
**Phys 217Tx, 218 / Physics for Science and Engineering I, II ...10
Phys 320 Modern Physics ..........3
Phys 354 Theoretical Mechanics ..........3
Phys 361 Principles of Electricity and Magnetism ..........4
Phys 380 Advanced Lab I ..........1
Phys 381 Advanced Lab II ..........1
*Phys 397W Writing in Physics ..........3
Phys 400 Science and Human Values ..........2
Phys 420 Introductory Quantum Mechanics I ..........3
Phys 496 Senior Seminar ..........2
Subtotal
..........32
Additional
Departmental Requirements:
Additional
physics courses numbered above 300 to be chosen from:
Phys
301 Introduction to Electronics ..........3
Phys 340 Optics ..........4
Phys 370 Heat and Thermodynamics ..........3
Phys 421 Quantum Mechanics II ..........3
Phys 454 Advanced Topics in Physics ..........1-4
Subtotal
..........6
Auxiliary
Requirements from Other Departments:
Chem 150 Fundamentals of Chemistry I ..........4
**Chem 151Tx Fundamentals of Chemistry II **
Math 221, 222, 223 Calculus I, II, III ..........12
Math 327 Differential Equations ..........4
Engr 104 Computer Programming for Scientists and Engineers .....3
Engr 201 Electric Networks I ..........4
Engr 202 Electric Networks II* ..........4
*Can substitute Phys 301.
Subtotal
..........31
Recommended
Additional Math – Choose one:
Math 311 Matrices and Linear Algebra
Math 320 Numerical Analysis
Math 401 Probability and Statistics
Other
math courses numbered 300 or 400 as recommended by a physics advisor.
Major
Totals ..........69
Electives
..........7-19
TOTAL
REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION ..........120
Physical
Science for Secondary Teachers Option
General
Education Credits
Comp 150 or Comp 125/126 ..........4-8
Library 150 ..........1
PE/Wellness (ES 100 plus 1 skills, 1 fitness) ..........3
Thematic Studies I (1 course in each of 4 knowledge areas;
1 must be a science with attached lab)
..........12-16
Thematic Studies II (1 course in each of 4 knowledge areas;
prerequisites: Comp 150, Lib 150, all
4 Thematic Studies I courses) ..........12-16
*Tier II writing requirement is part of the Major
Total
..........32-44
Specific
Departmental Requirements:
**=May also be counted toward TS I requirements
**Phys 217Tx Physics for Science and Engineering I ..........5
Phys 218 Physics for Science and Engineering II ..........5
Phys 320 Modern Physics ..........3
Phys 340 Optics ..........4
Phys 380 Advanced Physics Lab I ..........1
Phys 381 Advanced Physics Lab II ..........1
*Phys 397W Writing in Physics ..........3
Phys 496 Senior Seminar ..........2
**PhSc 206Tx Astronomy ..........4
PhSc 405 Cosmic Time Place ..........3
Subtotal
..........31
Auxiliary
Requirements:
**=May also be counted toward TS I requirements; ** credits counted
in General Education total credits.
Math 221 Calculus I ..........4
Math 222 Calculus II ..........4
**Bio 112N Introduction to Org/Pop Bio **
Chem 150 Fundamentals of Chemistry I ..........4
**Chem 150Tx Fundamentals of Chemistry II **
Technical Electives: Chosen from Physics, Chemistry, or Geology at the
300- or 400-level,
or from Biology at the 200-, 300-, or 400-level ..........8
Subtotal
..........51
Major
Total ..........42
Electives
(Teacher Education)
Ed 421 Individualized Instruction in a Pluralistic Society ..........6
Ed 424 Language and Math Literacy ..........4
Ed 495 Student Teaching ..........15
Subtotal
..........25
Electives
(Free) ..........0-12
TOTAL
REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION ..........120
Engineering
Physics Option
General
Education Credits
Comp 150 or Comp 125/126 ..........4-8
Library 150 ..........1
PE/Wellness (ES 100 plus 1 skills, 1 fitness) 3
Thematic Studies I (1 course in each of 4 knowledge areas;
1 must be a science with attached lab)
..........12-16
Thematic Studies II (1 course in each of 4 knowledge areas;
prerequisites: Comp 150, Lib 150, all
4 Thematic Studies I courses) ..........12-16
*Tier II writing requirement is part of the Major
Total
..........32-44
Specific
Departmental Requirements:
**=May also be counted toward TS I requirements; ** credits counted
in General Education total credits.
**Phys217Tx Physics for Science and Engineering I **
Phys 218 Physics for Science and Engineering II ..........5
Phys 320 Modern Physics ..........3
Phys 354 Theoretical Mechanics ..........3
Phys 361 Princ. of Electricity and Magnetism ..........4
Phys 380 Advanced Physics Lab I ..........1
Phys 381 Advanced Physics Lab II ..........1
*Phys 397W Writing in Physics ..........3
Phys 400 Science and Human Values ..........2
Phys 420 Introductory Quantum Mechanics I ..........3
Phys 496 Senior Seminar ..........2
Subtotal
..........27
Specific
Departmental Requirements in Engineering:
Engr 104 Computer Programming for Scientists and Engineers ......3
Engr 103 Computer Aided Drafting
OR
Engr 105 Engineering Principles ..........3
An additional 16 credits of engineering courses at 200-level or higher
..........16
Subtotal
..........22
Auxiliary
Requirements:
Chem 150 Fundamentals of Chemistry I ..........4
Math 221, 222, 223 Calculus I, II, III ..........12
Math 327 Differential Equations ..........4
Subtotal
..........20
Major
Totals ..........69
Electives
..........7-19
TOTAL
REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION ..........120
REQUIREMENTS
FOR A MINOR IN PHYSICS:
**=May also be counted toward TS I requirements
**Phys 217Tx, 218
(with departmental approval Phys 201,
202) ..........10
Phys 320 Modern Physics ..........3
Phys 380
or
Phys 381 Advanced Physics Lab I or II ..........1
Two additional physics courses from the following:
Phys 301, 340, 354, 361, 370, 420, 421 ..........6-7
Total
..........20-22
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