Physics

Description

Do you have a desire to better understand the world around you? With a minor in physics, you'll extend your studies in nature, structure and interactions of matter and radiation while developing the fundamental scientific understanding and problem-solving skills you need to succeed in a variety of challenging career opportunities.

The physics concentration provides students with the fundamental concepts of physics beyond the introductory level. Through rigorous hands-on experience, students deepen their understanding of foundational concepts and develop their quantitative skills. Through upper-division electives, students can tailor the concentration to enhance their career outlook.

Physics is concerned with the nature, structure and interactions of matter and radiation. Pairing physics to another concentration of study provides a student with the fundamental scientific basis to address the most challenging opportunities faced in a student's career.

Requirements

• Students must complete a minimum of 24-27 credit hours including 12 of upper division hours for this concentration.
• All courses must be completed with a grade of “C” (2.00) or higher.
• Upper division electives must be selected with the approval of a Physics advisor.
• Students must complete core requirements then choose between Option 1 or Option 2 to complete concentration requirements.

Required Core - 12 credit hours 

PHY 121 & 122* University Physics I: Mechanics & Lab, SQ (3/1) (Prerequisites: MAT 265 or MAT 270 with C or better; Pre/Co-requisites: MAT 266 or MAT 271 with C or better if completed) 
OR 
PHY 150 Physics I, SQ (4) (Prerequisites: MAT 265 or MAT 270 with C or better; Pre/Co-requisites: MAT 266 or MAT 271 with C or better if completed)

PHY 131 & 132** University Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism & Lab, SQ (3) (Prerequisites: MAT 266 or MAT 271 with C or better; PHY 121 with C or better; Pre/Co-requisite: MAT 267 or MAT 272 with C or better if completed) 
OR 
PHY 151 Physics II, SQ (4) (Prerequisites: MAT 266 or MAT 271 with C or better; PHY 150 or PHY 121 and PHY 122 with C or better; Pre or Co-requisite: MAT 267 or MAT 272 (with C or better if completed))

PHY 252 Physics III, SQ (4) (Prerequisites: MAT 272 or MAT 267 C or better; PHY 151 (or PHY131 & PHY132) with C or better)
OR
PHY 241 University Physics III (3) (Prerequisite(s): PHY 131) & PHY 202 Programming for Physicists (1) (Prerequisite(s): MAT 267 or 272 with C or better; PHY 151 with a C or better or PHY 131 and PHY 132 with C or better)

Option 1 - 12 credit hours

PHY 361 Introductory Modern Physics (Required) (3) (PHY 131 or PHY 151 with C or better; MAT 272 or MAT 267 with C or better)

PHY 333 Electronic Circuits and Measurements (3) (Prerequisites: MAT 272 or MAT 267; PHY 151 (or PHY131 & PHY132) with C or better) 
OR 
PHY 334 Advanced Laboratory I (3) (Prerequisites: MAT 272 or MAT 267 with C or better; PHY 151 (or PHY 131 and PHY 132) with C or better; Co-requisites: PHY 314, PHY 361, CHM 345 or EEE 434)

PHY Upper Division Elective (6)

Option 2 - 15 credit hours

Required:

PHY 201: Mathematical Methods in Physics I (CS) (3) (Prerequisite(s): MAT 267 or 272 with C or better; PHY 131 with C or better; PHY 132 with C or better OR MAT 267 or 272 with C or better; PHY 151 with C or better)

PHY 302: Mathematical Methods in Physics II (3) (Prerequisite(s): MAT 267 or 272 with C or better; PHY 151 with a C or better or PHY 131 and PHY 132 with C or better)

Select 9 additional credit hours (3 courses) from the below list.

PHY 310: Classical Particles, Fields, and Matter I (3) (Prerequisite(s) with C or better: (PHY 201; PHY 252) or (PHY 201; PHY 202; PHY 241); Corequisite(s): PHY 302)

PHY 311: Classical Particles, Fields, and Matter II (3) (Prerequisite(s): PHY 302 with C or better; PHY 310 with C or better)

PHY 314: Quantum Physics I (3) (Prerequisite(s): PHY 201 with C or better; PHY 252 with C or better, or both PHY 202 and 241 with C or better)

PHY 315: Quantum Physics II (3) (Prerequisite(s): PHY 302 with C or better; PHY 314 with C or better)