UNDERGRADUATE
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Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

MAJOR AND MINOR DESCRIPTIONS BY DEPARTMENT

 

 

PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY

PHYSICS

The Department of Physics and Astronomy offers three major degree options: a BS in physics, a BS in physics and astronomy, and a BA in astronomy. The BS degrees are intended for students who wish to prepare for graduate school in a scientific or technical discipline or who are interested in professional careers in which a background in physics or astronomy is appropriate. The BA degree are designed primarily for students who wish to develop a general scientific background appropriate for many careers including health-related professions or MBA programs. The Certificate in Photonics may be added by students in the bachelor of science physics program.

Students planning to pursue a degree within the department are urged to consult a departmental advisor at any time during the freshman year and should obtain a copy of the department’s brochure for undergraduates in 100 Allen Hall.

*The department offers the physics minor, best suited for students from other schools. The department wishes to emphasize that its 0080s courses, in both physics and astronomy, use little mathematics and are especially designed for liberal arts students.

Major requirements

• A minimum GPA of 2.0 in departmental courses is required for graduation. Honors majors must attain a minimum GPA of 3.2 in physics courses, a cumulative GPA of 3.09 or higher, completes PHYS 1903 Directed Research, submits a paper detailing the research within the department and presents the research in a public forum (i.e. at the University's Science Symposium or the Undergraduate Poster Fair hosted by UHC).
  
• No PHYS courses beyond the introductory level may be taken on an S/NC basis.
• Students must complete at least one W-course in the major; students should consult with their department advisor about this requirement.
• The mathematics courses required for the major fulfill the related area requirement for all majors in this department.

Physics major, BS

The physics major requires the completion of 47 credits in physics distributed as follows.

Note: While not required, the introductory level honors courses, PHYS 0475, PHYS 0476, and PHYS 0520 are appropriate particularly for students seeking degrees in physics.

 

Introductory Physics courses: (select one group).

• PHYS 0174 Basic Physics, Science and Engineering 1 and PHYS 0175 Basic Physics, science and Engineering 2
• PHYS 0475 Introduction to Physics, Science and Engineering 1 and PHYS 0476 Introduction to Physics, Science and Engineering 2

Intermediate and advanced Physics courses

• PHYS 0477 Introduction to Thermodynamics, Relativity, and Quantum Theory
• PHYS 1310 Undergraduate Seminar
• PHYS 1321 Computational Methods in Physics
• PHYS 1331 Mechanics
• PHYS 1341 Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics
• PHYS 1351 Intermediate Electricity/Magnetism
• PHYS 1370 Quantum Mechanics

Laboratory courses; choose at least 10 credits

• PHYS 0219 Basic Lab Physics, Science and Engineering (2 credits) or PHYS 0520 Modern Physical Measurements (3 credits)
• PHYS 0525 Analog and Digital Electronics (3 credits)
• PHYS 1361 Wave Motion and Optics (3 credits)
• PHYS 1426 Modern Physics Laboratory (2 credits)
• ASTRON 1263 Techniques of Astronomy (3 credits)

 

Science electives; choose at least nine credits from groups A and B. At least three credits must come from a course in group B.

 

Group A

• BIOSC 0150 Foundations of Biology 1 (3 credits)
• BIOSC 0160 Foundations of Biology 3 (3 credits)
• BIOENG 1070 Introduction to Cell Biology 1 (3 credits)
• BIOENG 1071 Introduction to Cell Biology 2 (3 credits)
• CHEM 0110 General Chemistry 1 or CHEM 0710 Honors General Chemistry 1 (4 credits)
• CHEM 0120 General Chemistry 2 or CHEM 0720 Honors General Chemistry 2 (4 credits)
• CHEM 0310 Organic Chemistry 1 or CHEM 0730 Honors Organic Chemistry 1 (3 credits)
• CHEM 0320 Organic Chemistry 2 or CHEM 0740 Honors Organic Chemistry 2 (3 credits)
• CS 0401 Intermediate Programming Using Java (3 credits)
• CS 0445 Data Structures (3 credits)
• ENGR 0240 Nanotechnology and Nano-Engineering (3 credits)
• GEOL 0040 Physical Geology (3 credits)
• STAT 1151 Introduction to Probability (3 credits)
• STAT 1152 Introduction to Mathematical Statistics (3 credits)

 

• Group B
• ASTRON 1120 Stellar Structure (3 credits)
• ASTRON 1121 Galaxies and Cosmology (3 credits)
• CHEM 1410 Physical Chemistry 1 (3 credits)
• CHEM 1420 Physical Chemistry 2 (3 credits)
• CHEM 1620 Atoms, Molecules and Materials (3 credits)
• ECE 1232 Introduction to Lasers & Optical Electronics (3 credits)
• ECE 1247 Semiconductor Device Theory (3 credits)
• GEOL 1410 Exploration Geophysics (3 credits)
• MATH 1470 Partial Differential Equations (3 credits)
• MATH 1550 Vector Analysis and Applications (3 credits)
• MATH 1560 Complex Variables and Applications (3 credits)
• MEMS 1054 Materials Science (3 credits)
• PHYS 0481 Applications of Modem Physics (3 credits)
• PHYS 1374 Introduction to Solid State Physics (3 credits)
• PHYS 1375 Foundations of Nanoscience (3 credits)
• PHYS 1376 Introduction to Biological Physics (3 credits)
• PHYS 1378 Introduction to Nuclear Particle Physics (3 credits)

 

Prerequisite Mathematics courses

• MATH 0220 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1
• MATH 0230 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 2
• MATH 0240 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 3
• MATH 0280 Introduction to Matrices and Linear Algebra or MATH 1180 Linear Algebra or MATH 1185 Honors Linear Algebra
• MATH 0290 Differential Equations or MATH 1270 Ordinary Differential Equations 1

Departmental honors requirements

Honors in physics is granted if in addition to fulfilling all requirements for the major, the student maintains a GPA of 3.2 or higher in courses required for the major, maintains a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, completes MATH 1903 Directed Research, submits a paper detailing the research within the department, and presents the research in a public forum (i.e. at the University’s Science Symposium, or the Undergraduate Poster Fair hosted by UHC).

Education concentration

This concentration removes up to 10 credits of physic courses from the standard Physics major requirements. This concentration requires seven credits of lab courses instead of the standard 10 credits.

Additional education related courses (6 credits)

• PSYED 1001 Introduction to Educational Psychology
• IL 1580 Foundations of Special Education

Additional courses emphasizing the broader impact of science; choose at least three credits.

• PHYS 0086 Physic and Public Policy
• PHYS 0087 Physic and Society
• Any course offered by the Department of History and Philosophy of Science

Required courses from the Science electives

Group A

• CHEM 0110 General Chemistry 1 or CHEM 0710 Honors General Chemistry 1
• CHEM 0120 General Chemistry 2 or CHEM 0720 Honors General Chemistry 2

Group B

 

• PHYS 0481 Applications of Modern Physics

Physics courses removed

• PHYS 1321 Computational Methods in Physics
• PHYS 1341 Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics
• PHYS 1370 Quantum Mechanics 1

Graduate School Preparation concentration

This concentration adds at least six credits of Physics courses to the standard Physics major requirements. This concentration requires seven credits of lab courses instead of the standard 10 credits.

Additional intermediate and advanced Physics courses

• PHYS 1371 Quantum Mechanics 2
• PHYS 1372 Electromagnetic Theory
• PHYS 1373 Mathematical Methods of Physics

 

Physics minor

Select one course

• PHYS 0174 Basic Physics, Science and Engineering 1
• PHYS 0475 Introduction to Physics, Science and Engineering 1

Select one course

• PHYS 0175 Basic Physics, Science and Engineering 2
• PHYS 0476 Introduction to Physics, Science and Engineering 2

Select one course

• PHYS 0219 Basic Lab Physics, Science and Engineering
• PHYS 0520 Modern Physical Measurements

Both courses

• PHYS 0479 Principles of Modern Physics 1
• PHYS 0481 Principles of Modern Physics 2

Physics and Astronomy major, BS

The BS in physics and astronomy requires the completion of 50 credits in physics and astronomy distributed as follows.

Introductory Physics courses: (select one group).

• PHYS 0174 Basic Physics, Science and Engineering 1 and PHYS 0175 Basic Physics, Science and Engineering 2
• PHYS 0475 Introduction to Physics, Science and Engineering 1 and PHYS 0476 Introduction to Physics, Science and Engineering 2

Introductory Astronomy course

• ASTRON 0113 Introduction to Astronomy

 

 

Intermediate and advanced Physics courses

• PHYS 0477 Introduction to Thermodynamics, Relativity, and Quantum Theory

• PHYS 1310 Undergraduate Seminar
• PHYS 1321 Computational Methods in Physics
• PHYS 1331 Mechanics
• PHYS 1341 Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics
• PHYS 1351 Intermediate Electricity/Magnetism
• PHYS 1370 Quantum Mechanics 1

Laboratory courses; choose at least seven credits

• Required courses

• PHYS 0219 Basic Lab Physics for Science and Engineering (2 credits) or PHYS 0520 Modern Physical Measurements (3 credits)

• ASTRON 1362 Techniques of Astronomy (3 credits)

• Additional courses

• PHYS 0525 Analog and Digital Electronics (3 credits)

• PHYS 1361 Wave Motion and Optics (3 credits)

• PHSY 1426 Modern Physics Laboratory (3 credits)

 

Intermediate and advanced Astronomy courses

• ASTRON 1120 Stars: Stellar Structure and Evolution
• ASTRON 1121 Galaxies and Cosmology
• ASTRON 1122 The Solar System and Exoplanets*

*GEOL 1701 Geology of the Planets may be substituted for this course.

Science elective; choose at least three credits *

• CHEM 0110 General Chemistry 1 or CHEM 0710 Honors General Chemistry 1
• CHEM 0120 General Chemistry 2 or CHEM 0720 Honors General Chemistry 2
• CHEM 1410 Physical Chemistry 1
• CS 0401 Intermediate Programming Using Java
• CS 0445 Data Structures
• GEOL 0040 Physical Geology
• GEOL 1410 Exploration Geophyiscs
• GEOL 1701 Geology of the Planets **
• MATH 1470 Partial Differential Equations
• MATH 1550 Vector Analysis and Applications
• MATH 1560 Complex Variables and Applications
• PHYS 0481 Applications of Modern Physics
• PHYS 1371 Quantum Mechanics 2
• PHYS 1372 Electromagnetic Theory
• PHYS 1373 Mathematical Methods of Physics
• PHYS 1378 Introduction to Nuclear/Particle Physics
• STAT 1151 Introduction to Probability
• STAT 1152 Introduction to Mathematical Statistics

 

* Some of these courses have prerequisites

** If this course is taken as a science elective, it cannot be used to satisfy the requirement for the nine credits of intermediate and advanced courses.

 

Prerequisite Mathematics courses

• MATH 0220 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1
• MATH 0230 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 2
• MATH 0240 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 3

• MATH 0280 Introduction to Matrices and Linear Algebra or MATH 1180 Linear Algebra or MATH 1185 Honors Linear Algebra
• MATH 0290 Differential Equations or MATH 1270 Differential Equations

 

Education concentration

This concentration removed nine credits from the standard Physics and Astronomy major requirements if one of the courses listed below is taken as a science elective.

 

Additional education related courses

• PSYED 1001 Introduction to Educational Psychology (3 credits)
• IL 1580 Foundations of Special Education (3 credits)

 Physics courses removed

• PHYS 1321 Computational Methods in Physics
• PHYS 1341 Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics
• PHSY 1370 Quantum Mechanics 1

 

Required laboratory courses; choose at least eight credits

• PHYS 0219 Basic Lab Physics for Science and Engineering (2 credits) or PHYS 0520 Modern Physical Measurements (3 credits)
• PHYS 1361 Wave Motion and Optics (3 credits)
• ASTRON 1263 Techniques of Astronomy (3 credits)

 

Required selection of science electives

• CHEM 0110 General Chemistry 1
• CHEM 0120 General Chemistry 2
• PHYS 0481 Applications of Modern Physics

 

Graduate School Preparation concentration

This concentration adds six credits to the standard Physics and Astronomy major requirements if one of the courses listed below is taken as a science elective.

 

Additional intermediate and advanced Physics courses

• PHYS 1371 Quantum Mechanics 2
• PHYS 1372 Electromagnetic Theory
• PHYS 1373 Mathematical Methods of Physics

 

 

Honors major requirements

Honors in physics and astronomy is granted if in addition to fulfilling all requirements for the major, the student meets the following requirements.

• Maintains a GPA of 3.2 or higher in the major
• Maintains a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Completes ASTRON 1903 Directed Study or PHYS 1903 Directed Study
• Submits a paper detailing the research within the department and presents the research in a public forum (i.e. at the University’s Science Symposium or the Undergraduate Poster Fair hosted by the University Honors College).

Astronomy BA

The BA in Astronomy requires 39 credits of course work as follows.

Specifications

• Grade requirements: A minimum GPA of 2.0 in departmental courses is required for graduation.
• Satisfactory/No Credit option: No PHYS or ASTRON courses beyond the introductory level may be taken on an S/NC basis.
• Writing requirement: Students must complete at least one W-course in the major.
• Related area: Mathematics satisfies the related area requirement for the Astronomy major.

 

Introductory Physics courses

Select one group

• PHYS 0174 Basic Physics, Science and Engineering 1 and
• PHYS 0175 Basic Physics, Science and Engineering 2
• PHYS 0475 Introduction to Physics, Science and Engineering 1 and
• PHYS 0476 Introduction to Physics, Science and Engineering 2

 

Introductory Astronomy course

• ASTRON 0113 Introduction to Astronomy

 

Intermediate and advanced Physics courses

• PHYS 0477 Introduction to Thermodynamics, Relativity, and Quantum Theory
• PHYS 0481 Applications of Modern Physics
• PHYS 1310 Undergraduate Seminar
• PHYS 1331 Mechanics

 

Laboratory courses

• PHYS 0219 Basic Lab Physics for Science and Engineering (2 cr.) or PHYS 0520 Modern Physical Measurements (3 cr.)
• ASTRON 1263 Techniques of Astronomy (3 cr.)

 

Intermediate and advanced Astronomy courses; choose at least six credits

• ASTRON 1120 Stars: Stellar Structure and Evolution
• ASTRON 1121 Galaxies and Cosmology
• ASTRON 1122 The Solar System and Exoplanets *

 

* GEOL 1701 Geology of the Planets may be substituted

 

Science electives; choose at least six credits *

• BIOSC 0150 Foundations of Biology 1
• BIOSC 0160 Foundations of Biology 2
• BIOE 1070 Introduction to Cell Biology 1
• BIOE 1071 Introduction to Cell Biology 2
• CHEM 0110 General Chemistry 1 or CHEM 0710 Honors General Chemistry 1
• CHEM 0120 General Chemistry 2 or CHEM 0720 Honors General Chemistry 2
• CHEM 0310 Organic Chemistry 1 or CHEM 0730 Honors Organic Chemistry 1
• CHEM 0320 Organic Chemistry 2 or CHEM 0740 Honors Organic Chemistry 2
• CHEM 1410 Physical Chemistry 1
• CHEM 1420 Physical Chemistry 2
• CS 0401 Intermediate Programming using Java
• CS 0445 Data Structures
• GEOL 0040 Physical Geology
• GEOL 1410 Exploration Geophysics
• GEOL 1701 Geology of the Planets **
• MATH 0280 or MATH 1180 or MATH 1185 Linear Algebra
• MATH 1470 Partial Differential Equations
• MATH 1550 Vector Analysis and Applications
• MATH 1560 Complex Variables and Applications
• PHYS 1321 Computational Methods in Physics
• PHYS 1341 Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics
• PHYS 1351 Intermediate Electricity/Magnetism
• PHYS 1370 Quantum Mechanics 1
• PHYS 1378 Introduction to Nuclear/Particle Physics
• STAT 1151 Introduction to Probability
• STAT 1152 Introduction to Mathematical Statistics

 

* Some of these courses have prerequisites

** If this course is taken as a science elective, it cannot be used to satisfy the requirement for nine credits of intermediate and advanced courses.

 

Prerequisite Mathematics courses

• MATH 0220 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1
• MATH 0230 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 2
• MATH 0240 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 3
• MATH 0290 Differential Equations or MATH 1270 Differential Equations

Course in the history and philosophy of science or science policy/management; choose at least three credits

• BUSERV 1915 Introduction to Management
• PHYS 0086 Physics and Public Policy
• PHYS 0087 Nuclear Science and Society
• PUBSRV 1315 Managing Projects and Contracts
• Any course in the Department of History and Philosophy of Science (HPS)

 

Writing or communication courses; choose at least three credits

• COMMRC 0320 Mass Communication Process
• COMMRC 0520 Public Speaking
• COMMRC 1105 Television and Society
• ENGCMP 0400 Written Professional Communication
• ENGCMP 1101 Language of Science & Technology
• ENGCMP 1400 Grant and Proposal Writing
• ENGWRT 1330 Intermediate Nonfiction
• ENGWRT 1340 Advanced Nonfiction
• ENGWRT 1394 Science Writing
• LING 1000 Introduction to Linguistics

Science Communication concentration

This concentration replaces the three credit writing or communication course with a three credit writing course and 12 credits of communication courses. Students pursuing this concentration may replace the six credits of science electives with the communication course requirements.

 

Required writing course

• ENGCMP 0400 Written Professional Communication

 

Communication courses; choose at least 12 credits

• ENGCMP 1101 Language of Science & Technology
• ENGCMP 1400 Grant and Proposal Writing
• COMMRC 0320 Mass Communication Process
• COMMRC 0520 Public Speaking
• COMMRC 1105 Television and Society
• ENGWRT 0610 Introduction to Journalism and Non-fiction
• ENGWRT 1330 Intermediate Nonfiction
• ENGWRT 1340 Advanced Nonfiction
• ENGWRT 1394 Science Writing
• LING 1000 Introduction to Linguistics

 

Science Breadth concentration

This concentration provides broader exposure to other sciences in comparison to the standard Astronomy BA, while going into greater depth in physics and astronomy than a more generic natural science major. With proper selection of courses, this concentration provides the necessary requirements to apply for admission to medical school while roughly matching the credit requirements of the Astronomy BA.

 

Reduced physics requirements

• PHYS 0481 Applications of Modern Physics *

 

* PHYS 0481 is required for the Physics minor

 

Reduced writing requirements

The three credit writing or communication requirement is waived for students pursuing this concentration.

 

Added science requirements; choose two of the three groups, totaling at least 16 credits

• CHEM 0110 General Chemistry 1 or CHEM 0710 Honors General Chemistry 1
• CHEM 0120 General Chemistry 2 or CHEM 0720 Honors General Chemistry 2

 

• One of the following course groups

• BIOSC 0050 Foundations of Biology 1 Lab

• BIOSC 0060 Foundations of Biology 2 Lab

• BIOSC 0150 Foundations of Biology 1

• BIOSC 0160 Foundations of Biology 2

or

• BIOSC 0050 Foundations of Biology 1 Lab

• BIOSC 0060 Foundations of Biology 2 Lab

• BIOE 1070 Introduction to Cell Biology 1

• BIOE 1071 Introduction to Cell Biology 2

 

• GEOL 0040 Physical Geology
• GEOL 0050 Physical Geology
• GEOL 0890 Physical Oceanography

 

Added science electives; choose one of the three tracks totaling at least six credits

• Track 1
• CHEM 0310 Organic Chemistry 1 or CHEM 0730 Honors Organic Chemistry 1
• CHEM 0320 Organic Chemistry 2 or CHEM 0740 Honors Organic Chemistry 2
• CHEM 0330 Organic Chemistry 1 Lab
• CHEM 0340 Organic Chemistry 2 Lab or 0750 Honors Organic Chemistry 2 Lab
• Track 2
• CS 0401 Intermediate Programming using Java
• CS 0445 Data Structures
• Track 3
  • Two advanced courses in Biological Sciences (BIOSC), Bioengineering (BIOE), Chemistry (CHEM), Computer Science (CS), or Geology (GEOL).