Physics, BS

Outcomes

Students will possess the fundamental physics that is necessary for admission into a graduate program in physics or related technical fields, such as in education, industry, research, and military.
Students will be able to apply the fundamental ideas and methods of physics and be able to analyze problems using these skills.
Students will be able to prepare and present several research topics and defend them before peers and faculty.

Degree Options

The Bachelor of Science program in physics is designed to help students attain their professional goals in physics. Three options within the Bachelor of Science program enable students to achieve their particular educational objectives. The options are Traditional Physics, Solid State Physics, and Energy Science. Engineering Physics is discontinued as of Fall 2005.

Courses in each option are chosen to teach the fundamental concepts on which the field is based. Laboratories are designed to give students practical hands-on experience. Advanced laboratories provide opportunities to study and use state-of-the-art technology in the student’s area of interest.

The solid state laboratory required in the solid state option is designed to teach the fundamentals of materials technology.

A degree option is available for secondary education teachers. Please contact the Student Success Center or the College of Education for further information.

General Requirements

33 credit hours in Physics Core requirements
37 credit hours in other Core areas
18 credit hours in Physics Option area
a maximum of 54 credits in PES will apply toward the degree
a grade of C or better in every physics course that is applied toward the major
students must meet the 12 hour LAS general education area requirements from both humanities and social science.

Required Courses

Required Core Courses for All Three Options

Physics and Energy Science (PES)

Total: 33

Other required core areas

Required Courses Within the Chosen Option

In addition to the above core requirements, students will complete required courses for one of three options: Traditional Physics, Solid State Physics, or Energy Science.

Traditional Physics Option

This program is designed for students intending graduate studies in physics or planning to obtain an industrial position with a traditional physics degree. This option requires a minimum of 18 credit hours of courses in addition to the core.

Required Courses

Note:

Also, the traditional physics option requires a minimum of three upper-division hours of mathematics in addition to MATH 340.

Elective Courses

A minimum of three credit hours from the following PES courses must be taken:

Note:

Other elective courses may be substituted with the written approval of the department chair.

Solid State Physics Option

This option is designed for students presently employed by or intending employment in the semiconductor industry. It will provide theoretical foundations and practical experience in solid state physics.

This option requires a minimum of 20 credit hours of courses in addition to the core.

Required Courses

Elective Courses

This option also requires the completion of a minimum of 6 hours from the following technical electives:

Note:

Other elective courses may be substituted with the written approval of the department chair.

Energy Science Options

This option will prepare graduates for energy-related careers in industry and government and will provide the student with a strong background in the technical, economic, and instrumentation aspects of all energy resources. This option requires a minimum of 19 hours of courses in addition to the core.

Required Courses

Elective Courses

Students in this option are required to complete 9 hours from the following technical electives.

Note:

Other elective courses may be substituted with the written approval of the department chair.