| DEPARTMENT
OF PHYSICS Chair:
Sankoorikal L. Varghese (460-6224)
Professors: Helminger, Varghese, Weber
Associate Professors: Clark, Jenkins
Assistant Professors: Irby, Sanders
Instructors: Boleman, Geoghegan, Moreau
The curriculum in the Department of Physics serves three
groups of students: those preparing for careers in physics, those pursuing professional
fields such as medicine and engineering, and those electing physics and astronomy as part
of the natural-science requirement for Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science Degrees.
The degree program in physics allows for flexibility to the extent that the serious
student can select related courses in biology, chemistry, geology, computer science, and
engineering to prepare for a career in such interdisciplinary areas as biophysics,
geophysics, oceanography, and environmental science. Three options for a Bachelor of
Science degree in Physics are offered. One option (the Pre-Medical Option) is for those
students pursuing medicine as a career. There is also an evening Physics program. Through
this program it is possible to earn a B.S. degree in Physics by attending classes only
during the evenings. Any student interested in the evening Physics program must contact
the Chair of the Department. Sample programs and requirements for each option follows.
SAMPLE PROGRAM FOR
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN PHYSICS (OPTION A)
First Year
Physics 107
Chemistry 131
Math 125
EH 101
Art
Total |
1
4
4
3
3
==
15 |
Physics 201
Chemistry 132
Math 126
EH 102
Total |
4
4
4
3
==
15 |
Second Year
Physics 202
Humanities
Math 227
Social Sciences
Art
Total |
4
3
4
3
3
==
17 |
Physics 303
Humanities
Math 238
Social Sciences
CA 110
Total |
4
3
4
3
3
==
17 |
Third Year
Physics 366
Physics 385
Math 237
Humanities
Social Sciences
PE or ROTC
Total |
3
3
3
3
3
1
==
16 |
Physics 367
Physics 463
Physics Elective (A)*
Humanities
Social Sciences
PE or ROTC
Total |
3
3
3
3
3
1
==
16 |
Fourth Year
Physics 348
Physics 448
Language
Electives
Total |
3
3
3
6
==
15 |
Physics 349
Physics 449
Physics Elective (B)**
Languages
Electives
Total |
3
3
3
3
5
==
17 |
| Totals: |
Hours |
|
|
Physics
Mathematics
Chemistry
Humanities
Social Sciences
Fine and Performing Arts
Communication
Language
PE or ROTC
Electives
Total |
43
19
8
12
12
6
9
6
2
11
==
128 |
|
|
*Physics Elective A
PH 301
PH 346
PH 390 |
**Physics Elective B
PH 354
PH 411
PH 494 |
REQUIREMENTS
FOR A MAJOR IN PHYSICS (OPTION A)
Option A is designed for a student anticipating graduate study in Physics. This option
gives the student a solid foundation in basic Physics. Physics course requirements
include: PH 107, 201, 202, 303, 348, 349, 366, 367, 385(W), 448, 449 and 463. One course
from each group must be taken: Physics Elective A (PH 301, 346 or 390) and Physics
Elective B (PH 354, 411 or 494). The following additional technical courses are required.
CH 131 and 132. In addition, the following math courses are pre-requisites for upper
division Physics courses: MA 125, 126, 227 and 238.
SAMPLE PROGRAM FOR
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN PHYSICS (OPTION B)
First Year
Physics 107
Chemistry 131
Math 125
EH 101
Art
Total |
1
4
4
3
3
==
15 |
Physics 201
Chemistry 132
Math 126
EH 102
Total |
4
4
4
3
==
15 |
Second Year
Physics 202
Humanities
Math 227
Social Sciences
Art
Total |
4
3
4
3
3
==
17 |
Physics 303
Humanities
Math 238
Social Sciences
CA 110
Total |
4
3
4
3
3
==
17 |
Third Year
Physics 366
Physics 385
Humanities
Social Sciences
Electives
PE or ROTC
Total |
3
3
3
3
3
1
==
16 |
Physics 354
Physics 463
Humanities
Social Sciences
Electives
PE or ROTC
Total |
4
3
3
3
3
1
==
17 |
Fourth Year
Physics 348
Physics 448
Language
Electives
Total |
3
3
3
7
==
16 |
Physics 411
Physics Elective*
Languages
Electives
Total |
3
3
3
6
==
15 |
| Totals: |
Hours |
|
|
Physics
Mathematics
Chemistry
Humanities
Social Sciences
Fine and Performing Arts
Communication
Language
PE or ROTC
Electives
Total |
38
16
8
12
12
6
9
6
2
19
==
128 |
|
|
*Physics Electives
PH 301
PH 346
PH 390
PH 494 |
REQUIREMENTS
FOR A MAJOR IN PHYSICS (Option B)
Option B is designed for a student intending no graduate study in Physics. This option
emphasizes applied Physics and has a large number of elective hours so that the student
may tailor an interdisciplinary degree. Physics course requirements include: PH 107, 201,
202, 303, 348, 354, 366, 385(W), 411, 448 and 463. One Physics Elective course (PH 301,
346, 390 or 494) must be taken. The following additional technical courses are required:
CH 131 and 132. In addition, the following math courses are pre-requisites for upper
division Physics courses: MA 125, 126, 227 and 238.
SAMPLE PROGRAM FOR
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN PHYSICS (PRE-MEDICAL
OPTION)
First Year
Physics 107
Chemistry 131
Math 125
EH 101
Biology 121
PE or ROTC
Total |
1
4
4
3
4
1
==
17 |
Physics 201
Chemistry 132
Math 126
EH 102
PE or ROTC
Total |
4
4
4
3
1
==
16 |
Second Year
Physics 202
Biology 122
Math 227
Humanities
Total |
4
4
4
3
==
15 |
Physics 303
Humanities
Math 238
Chemistry 201
Total |
4
3
4
4
==
15 |
Third Year
Physics 366
Physics 385
Humanities
Social Sciences
Chemistry 202
Total |
3
3
3
3
4
==
16 |
Physics Elective*
Physics 463
Humanities
Social Sciences
Art
Biology 311
Total |
3
3
3
3
3
4
==
19 |
Fourth Year
Physics 348
Language
Social Sciences
CA 110
Elective
Total |
3
3
3
3
3
==
15 |
Physics 448
Physics Elective*
Language
Social Sciences
Art
Elective
Total |
3
3
3
3
3
1
==
16 |
| Totals: |
Hours |
|
|
Physics
Mathematics
Chemistry
Biology
Humanities
Social Sciences
Fine and Performing Arts
Communication
Language
PE or ROTC
Electives
Total |
33
16
16
12
12
12
6
9
6
2
4
==
128 |
|
|
*Physics Electives
PH 301
PH 346
PH 354 |
PH 390
PH 411
PH 494 |
REQUIREMENTS
FOR A MAJOR IN PHYSICS (PRE-MEDICAL OPTION)
The Pre-Medical Option is designed for a student intending a career in a health profession
field such as Medicine. Physics course requirements include: PH 201, 202, 303, 348, 366,
385(W), 448 and 463. Two Physics Elective courses must be taken from the list: PH 301,
346, 354, 390, 411 and 494. The following additional technical courses are required: CH
131, 132, 201, 202, BLY 121, 122 and 311. In addition, the following math courses are
pre-requisites for upper division Physics courses: MA 125, 126, 227 and 238.
REQUIREMENTS FOR A
MINOR IN PHYSICS
A minimum of 20 semester hours in Physics, including PH 303, and at least six additional
hours at the 300 level or above.
GENERAL COMMENTS
PH 114 and 115 with either PH 201 or 202 may be substituted for PH 201 and 202 with the
prior approval of the physics department chair.
The sequences PH 114, 115 and PH 201, 202 may not both be
taken for credit.
Descriptions
of all Physics (PH) courses
College
of Arts and Sciences
|
