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SCHOOLS AND ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY
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 physics and 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 is 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.
- Attain a minimum QPA of 2.00 overall in physics courses. Honors majors must attain a minimum QPA of 3.00 in physics courses.
- There are no restrictions on the S/N grade option for BA majors, but BS majors must take all physics courses beyond the introductory level for letter grades.
- Students should consult with a department advisor about the W-course requirement.
- All majors in the physics and astronomy department automatically fulfill the CAS requirement for a 12-credit related area by taking the mathematics courses required for majors.
- Students considering graduate studies should have a reading knowledge of one or two foreign languages selected from German, French, and Russian.
Requirements for all Physics or Physics and Astronomy Majors
Students who wish to graduate with any of the majors offered by the Department of Physics and Astronomy must follow these general rules and requirements:
- PHYS 0174 and 0175 (Basic Physics for Science and Engineering 1 and 2) or 0475 and 0476 (Honors Introductory Physics for Science and Engineering 1 and 2). The department recommends the Honors sequence.
- PHYS 0219 (Basic Laboratory Physics for Science and Engineering)
- PHYS 0160 (Intermediate Electricity and Magnetism)
- PHYS 0167 (Undergraduate Seminar)
- PHYS 0368 (Wave Motion and Optics)
- PHYS 1150 (Mechanics)
- PHYS 1119 and 1120 (Principles of Modern Physics 1 and 2)
- PHYS 1225 (Analog and Digital Electronics)
- ASTRON 0113 (Introduction to Astronomy)
- ASTRON 1120 (Stars, Stellar Structure and Stellar Evolution)
- ASTRON 1121 (Galaxies and Cosmology)
- ASTRON 1263 (Techniques of Astronomy)
- GEOL 1701 (Geology of the Planets)
- MATH 0220, 0230, 0240 (Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1, 2, and 3)
- MATH 0250 (Matrix Theory and Differential Equations)
- CHEM 0110 and 0120 (General Chemistry 1 and 2; honors versions may be substituted) or CS 0401 and 0445 (Introduction to Computer Science and Introduction to Information Structures), unless Certificate in Photonics is desired.
Curriculum for a BS in Physics and Astronomy
The following courses are required for a BS degree in physics and astronomy:
- PHYS 1141 (Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics)
- PHYS 1170 and 1171 (Introduction to Quantum Mechanics 1 and 2)
- PHYS 1172 (Electromagnetic Theory)
- MATH 1550 (Vector Analysis and Applications) and 1560 (Complex Variables and Applications)
- PHYS 0174 and 0175 (Basic Physics for Science and Engineering 1 and 2) or 0475 and 0476 (Honors Introductory Physics for Science and Engineering). The department recommends the Honors sequence.
- PHYS 0219* (Basic Laboratory Physics for Science and Engineering)
- PHYS 1150 (Mechanics)
- PHYS 0160 (Intermediate Electricity and Magnetism)
- PHYS 0167 (Undergraduate Seminar)
- PHYS 0368 (Wave Motion and Optics)
- PHYS 1119 and 1120 (Principles of Modern Physics 1 and 2)
- PHYS 1225* (Digital Electronics and Microprocessors)
- PHYS 1226 (Modern Physics Laboratory)
- PHYS 1141 (Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics)
- MATH 0220, 0230, 0240 (Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1, 2, and 3)
- MATH 0250 (Matrix Theory and Differential Equations)
- CHEM 0110 and 0120 (General Chemistry 1 and 2) or 0710 and 0720 (Honors General Chemistry 1 and 2) or CS 0401 and 0445 (Introduction to Computer Science and Introduction to Information Structures).
Curriculum for an Honors BS in Physics and Astronomy
The following courses are required for an honors BS in physics and astronomy in addition to the standard requirements for a BS in physics and astronomy degree:
Curriculum for a BS in Physics
The following courses are required for a BS in physics:
*Note: The UHC lab 0577 may replace PHYS 0219 and 1225.
- PHYS 1170 and 1171 (Introduction to Quantum Mechanics 1 and 2)
- PHYS 1172 (Electromagnetic Theory)
- MATH 1550 (Vector Analysis and Applications)
- MATH 1560 (Complex Variables and Applications)
- Although not required for the program, PHYS 0475 and 0476 (UHC Introduction to Physics) and 0577 (Modern Physical Measurements) are particularly appropriate for honors students.
- PHYS 0174 and 0175 (Basic Physics for Science and Engineering 1 and 2) or 0475 and 0476 (Honors Introductory Physics for Science and Engineering)
- PHYS 0219 (Basic Laboratory Physics for Science and Engineering)
- PHYS 1119 (Principles of Modern Physics 1)
- PHYS 1120 (Principles of Modern Physics 2)
- ASTRON 0113 (Introduction to Astronomy)
- Two upper-level courses from the following list:
- ASTRON 1120 (Stars, Stellar Structure and Stellar Evolution)
- ASTRON 1121 (Galaxies and Cosmology)
- ASTRON 1263 (Techniques of Astronomy)
- GEOL 1701 (Geology of the Planets)
- MATH 0220, 0230, and 0240 (Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1, 2, and 3)
- At least one course in history or philosophy of science is also required.
- Minor In Physics
Introductory physics sequence:
Curriculum for an Honors BS in Physics
The following courses are required for an honors BS in physics in addition to the standard requirements for a BS in physics degree:
Curriculum for the BA in Physics and Astronomy
The following courses are required for a BA degree in physics and astronomy:
- PHYS 0174 (4 credits) Basic Physics for Science and Engineering I
- PHYS 0175 (4 credits) Basic Physics for Science and Engineering II
Alternatively, students could take the honors version of these courses, namely: - PHYS 0475 (4 credits) UHC Introductory Physics for Science and Engineering I
- PHYS 0476 (4 credits) UHC Introductory Physics for Science and Engineering II
Laboratory Experience:
- PHYS 0219 (2 credits) Basic Laboratory Physics for Science and Engineering
- The requirement of Physics 0219 would be waived for students who took Physics 0577 (4 credits) UHC Modern Physics Measurements.
Modern Physics Sequence:
- PHYS 1119 (3 credits) Principles of Modern Physics I
- PHYS 1120 (3 credits) Principles of Modern Physics II
- Co- and Pre-requisites:
The same co- and pre-requisites as those for the major will apply to the Physics Minor. In particular, the introductory physics sequence has a co-requisite of Math 0220, 0230. PHYS 0219 has the co-requisite of PHYS 0175 (or 0476); PHYS 1119 has the pre-requisites of PHYS 0175 (or 0476) and Math 0240; and PHYS 1120 has the pre-requisite of PHYS 1119.
The Physics Minor program consists of 16 credits.
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