Physics BS

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Program Requirements

Students must declare their intention to major in physics by the time they have completed 60 semester hours and complete between 47 and 51 semester hours (depending on the track chosen) in physics and related topics. Additionally, all tracks require 16 semester hours in math ancillary courses. No grade below a C (2.0) can be used to meet the requirements for the major. At least 12 semester hours of the requirements for the major must be completed at the Downtown Campus.

A senior thesis, usually from participation in research, is required for all students wishing to graduate with departmental honors. All other students are encouraged to do research leading to a project report or senior thesis.

Required Courses Common to All Tracks

Required Physics Courses

PHYS 2311 - General Physics I: Calculus-Based Summer 2010 Registration: PHYS 2311
PHYS 2331 - General Physics II: Calculus-Based Summer 2010 Registration: PHYS 2331
PHYS 2371 - Topic-Driven Physics Lab Summer 2010 Registration: PHYS 2371
PHYS 2711 - Vibrations and Waves Summer 2010 Registration: PHYS 2711
PHYS 2811 - Modern Physics I Summer 2010 Registration: PHYS 2811
PHYS 3120 - Methods of Mathematical Physics Summer 2010 Registration: PHYS 3120
PHYS 3711 - Junior Laboratory I Summer 2010 Registration: PHYS 3711
PHYS 3811 - Quantum Mechanics Summer 2010 Registration: PHYS 3811
Note: The department will accept the following combination of independent study and introductory lab courses in lieu of PHYS 2371. However, PHYS 2371 is strongly recommended because it provides explicit preparation for upper division lab courses.
PHYS 1840 - Independent Study: PHYS Summer 2010 Registration: PHYS 1840
PHYS 2321 - General Physics Lab I Summer 2010 Registration: PHYS 2321
PHYS 2341 - General Physics Lab II Summer 2010 Registration: PHYS 2341

Total physics courses required for all tracks: 26 Hours

Required Ancillary Courses

MATH 1401 - Calculus I Summer 2010 Registration: MATH 1401
MATH 2411 - Calculus II Summer 2010 Registration: MATH 2411
MATH 2421 - Calculus III Summer 2010 Registration: MATH 2421
MATH 3195 - Linear Algebra and Differential Equations Summer 2010 Registration: MATH 3195
Note: The department will accept the following combination of math courses in place of MATH 3195:
MATH 3191 - Applied Linear Algebra Summer 2010 Registration: MATH 3191
MATH 3200 - Elementary Differential Equations Summer 2010 Registration: MATH 3200

Total ancillary math courses required for all tracks: 16 Hours

Total required semester hours for all physics major tracks: 42 Hours

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Pure and Applied Physics (Track 1)

Take in addition to the courses common to all tracks:

PHYS 3211 - Analytical Mechanics Summer 2010 Registration: PHYS 3211
PHYS 3411 - Thermal Physics Summer 2010 Registration: PHYS 3411
PHYS 3721 - Junior Laboratory II Summer 2010 Registration: PHYS 3721
* PHYS 4331 - Principles of Electricity and Magnetism Summer 2010 Registration: PHYS 4331
PHYS 4711 - Senior Laboratory I Summer 2010 Registration: PHYS 4711
(or a course in computational physics approved by advisor)
* Note: Students who must retake PHYS 4331 may fulfill this requirement by obtaining a C or better in
PHYS 4351 - Bioelectromagnetism Summer 2010 Registration: PHYS 4351

Elective Physics Courses

Six semester hours of physics-related electives at 3000-level or above approved by advisor, including up to 3 hours of independent study

Total Track 1 Specific Courses: 21 Hours

Biophysics and Medical Physics (Track 2)

Take in addition to the courses common to all tracks:

PHYS 3251 - Biophysics of the Body Summer 2010 Registration: PHYS 3251
PHYS 3411 - Thermal Physics Summer 2010 Registration: PHYS 3411
PHYS 4351 - Bioelectromagnetism Summer 2010 Registration: PHYS 4351
(recommended option)

-OR-
PHYS 4331 - Principles of Electricity and Magnetism Summer 2010 Registration: PHYS 4331

Biophysics electives (8-9 hours)

Biophysics electives at the 3000-level or above approved by advisor (including up to 3 semester hours independent study and/or two courses, PHYS 3151 and PHYS 3161, listed below)

-OR-

The following four courses (an option primarily for pre-med physics majors):
* BIOL 2051 - General Biology I Summer 2010 Registration: BIOL 2051
* BIOL 2061 - General Biology II Summer 2010 Registration: BIOL 2061
PHYS 3151 - Biophysics Outlook I Summer 2010 Registration: PHYS 3151
PHYS 3161 - Biophysics Outlook II Summer 2010 Registration: PHYS 3161
PHYS 3721 - Junior Laboratory II Summer 2010 Registration: PHYS 3721
-OR-

The following two courses (an option primarily for pre-med physics majors):
* BIOL 2071 - General Biology Laboratory I Summer 2010 Registration: BIOL 2071
* BIOL 2081 - General Biology Laboratory II Summer 2010 Registration: BIOL 2081
Numerical modeling or probability and statistics course approved by advisor: 3 semester hours

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Total Track 2 Specific Courses: 25 Hours

Major Total: 63-67 Hours

Pre-Med Students

Note: courses above marked * are generally required for medical school admissions. In addition, the following are generally required for medical school admissions but NOT for the biophysics and medical physics track:

* CHEM 2031 - General Chemistry I Summer 2010 Registration: CHEM 2031
* CHEM 2038 - General Chemistry Laboratory I Summer 2010 Registration: CHEM 2038
* CHEM 2061 - General Chemistry II Summer 2010 Registration: CHEM 2061
* CHEM 2068 - General Chemistry Laboratory II Summer 2010 Registration: CHEM 2068
* CHEM 3411 - Organic Chemistry I Summer 2010 Registration: CHEM 3411
* CHEM 3418 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory I Summer 2010 Registration: CHEM 3418
* CHEM 3421 - Organic Chemistry II Summer 2010 Registration: CHEM 3421
* CHEM 3428 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory II Summer 2010 Registration: CHEM 3428
Total additional pre-med (but not required for Track 2): 19 hours

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