Physics, Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

20241028_HCHomecomingFB_81

Program Objectives

Upon completion of this program the graduate will:

  1. be able to apply mathematics to analyze problems in Physics;
  2. be able to use fundamental physical results, such as conservation laws, to study physical systems;
  3. be able to analyze important processes occurring in physical systems.
  4. be prepared for employment in Physics or a related field in the public or private sector;
  5. be prepared for admission to a graduate program in Physics or a related field;
  6. be prepared to take and pass the Praxis exam in Physics; and physics teaching majors will be prepared to teach Physics in a secondary school.

Program Requirements

CIP Code: 40.0801

Major

University Graduation Requirements
Essential Education 30
Student Success Seminar
GSD 101Foundations of Learning3
Upper division courses (hours are distributed throughout Major/Supporting/Essential Ed/Free Electives categories)39
Major Requirements
Core Courses
PHY 201University Physics I 15
or PHY 131 College Physics I
PHY 202University Physics II 25
or PHY 132 College Physics II
PHY 211Intermediate Physics4
PHY 302Modern Physics4
PHY 315Electrical Circuits4
PHY 406Advanced Physics Laboratory4
MAT 244Calculus II4
CHE 112General Chemistry II3
CHE 112LGeneral Chemistry Lab1
CSC 174Introduction to Programming for Science & Engineering3
Concentrations
Students must select one of the following Concentrations:
Engineering Physics30-31
Physics (General)31
Physics Teaching54
Free Electives 3
Engineering Physics19-20
Physics (General)19
Physics Teaching0
Total Hours120
1

At the discretion of the chair, PHY 131 College Physics I may be substituted for PHY 201 University Physics I.

2

For teaching majors PHY 132 College Physics II may be substituted for PHY 202 University Physics II.

3

Students who are interested in Medical Physics graduate programs are encouraged to take EHS 510 Radiological Health and Safety as a free elective.

Engineering Physics Concentration

Concentration Courses
PHY 221Statics3
PHY 310Theoretical Methods in Physics3
PHY 360Engineering Dynamics3-4
or PHY 460 Classical Mechanics
PHY 375Engineering Thermodynamics3
PHY 380Fluid Mechanics3
Choose from three hours of the following:3
CSC 185
Discrete Structures I
EET 257
Electronic Devices and Circuits
EET 351
Programmable Logic Controllers
PHY 303
Introduction to Laser Physics
PHY 402
Modern Optics
PHY 410
Independent Study in Physics:___
PHY 411
Special Topics in Physics:
PHY 412
Directed Research in Physics:
STA 270
Applied Statistics
Supporting Course Requirements
CHE 111
General Chemistry (Element 2B) E
CHE 111LGeneral Chemistry Lab I1
EET 252Digital Electronics3
MAT 234Calculus I (Element 2A) E,11
MAT 254Calculus III4
MAT 353Differential Equations3
Total Hours30-31
E

Course also satisfies an Essential Education element. 3 hours are included within the Essential Education requirement above. 

1

A preparatory course (MAT 122 Precalculus Mathematics) in mathematics may be required before admission to MAT 234 Calculus I.

Physics (General) Concentration

Concentration Courses
PHY 310Theoretical Methods in Physics3
PHY 421 Electricity and Magnetism I3
PHY 422Electricity and Magnetism II3
PHY 456Statistical and Thermal Physics3
PHY 460Classical Mechanics4
PHY 470Quantum Mechanics3
Choose from three hours of any PHY course numbered 300 and above 13
Supporting Course Requirements
CHE 111
General Chemistry (Element 2B) E
CHE 111LGeneral Chemistry Lab I1
MAT 234Calculus I (Element 2A) E,21
MAT 254Calculus III4
MAT 353Differential Equations3
Total Hours31
1

Except PHY 506 Physics for High School Teachers

2

A preparatory course (MAT 122 Precalculus Mathematics) in mathematics may be required before admission to MAT 234 Calculus I.

E

Course also satisfies an Essential Education element. 3 hours are included within the Essential Education requirement above. 

Physics Teaching Concentration

Concentration Courses
AST 135Introductory Astronomy3
AST 335Stars, Galaxies, & Cosmology3
Choose from three hours of PHY courses numbered 300 and above3
Supporting Course Requirements
CMS 100
Introduction to Human Communication (Element 1C) E
or CMS 210
 Public Speaking
BIO 100
Introductory Biology (Element 2B) E
or BIO 102
 Inquiry Biology for Teachers
CHE 111
General Chemistry (Element 2B) E
CHE 111LGeneral Chemistry Lab I1
MAT 234Calculus I (Element 2A) E,11
Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB) Requirements (43 hours)
EDC 300Differentiation in Inclusive Classrooms3
EDF 203Educational Foundations3
EDF 204Emerging Instructional Technologies2
EDF 219Human Development and Learning3
EDF 413Assessment in Education3
EMS 300Curriculum and Instructional Design3
EMS 490Classroom and Behavior Management3
EMS 474Disciplinary Literacy3
ESE 561Teaching Science in Secondary School3
SED 104Special Education Introduction3
CED 400Clinical IV: Diagnosis and Prescription1
CED 450Clinical V: Practicing Teaching1
CED 499Clinical VI: The Professional Semester12
Exit Requirements
PRAXIS Examination
Students must register for and take the PRAXIS exam which correlates to their degree program, per College of Education requirements. Refer to Degree Works for exam details. The PRAXIS exam must be taken prior to student teaching.
Total Hours54
E

Course also satisfies an Essential Education element. 3 hours are included within the Essential Education requirement above. 

1

A preparatory course (MAT 122 Precalculus Mathematics) in mathematics may be required before admission to MAT 234 Calculus I.

Key:
E

Course satisfies an Essential Education element.

*

Course must be taken in semester indicated.

Upper division courses: All students are required to have a minimum of 39 hrs. upper division (300-level or above) courses distributed throughout Major/Supporting/Essential Ed/Free Electives categories.

Physics B.S. - Physics (General) Concentration

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
First SemesterHours
GSD 101 Foundations of Learning 3
CHE 111 General Chemistry (E-4) E* 3
CHE 111L General Chemistry Lab I 1
MAT 234 Calculus I (E-2) E* 4
E-1A (ENG 101) E 3
 Hours14
Second Semester
CHE 112 General Chemistry II 3
CHE 112L General Chemistry Lab 1
MAT 244 Calculus II 4
PHY 201 University Physics I 5
E-1B (ENG 102) E 3
 Hours16
Second Year
First Semester
MAT 254 Calculus III 4
MAT 353 Differential Equations 3
PHY 202 University Physics II 5
General Education E 3
 Hours15
Second Semester
CSC 174 Introduction to Programming for Science & Engineering 3
PHY 211 Intermediate Physics 4
PHY 315 Electrical Circuits 4
Essential Education E 3
Essential Education E 3
 Hours17
Third Year
First Semester
PHY 302 Modern Physics 4
PHY 310 Theoretical Methods in Physics 3
PHY Elective (upper division) 3
Essential Education E 3
 Hours13
Second Semester
PHY 406 Advanced Physics Laboratory 4
PHY 460 Classical Mechanics 4
General Education E 3
Free Elective (upper division) 3
 Hours14
Fourth Year
First Semester
PHY 421 Electricity and Magnetism I 3
PHY 456 Statistical and Thermal Physics 3
Essential Education E 3
Free Elective (upper division) 3
Free Elective (upper division) 3
Free Elective 3
 Hours18
Second Semester
PHY 422 Electricity and Magnetism II 3
PHY 470 Quantum Mechanics 3
Free Elective (upper division) 3
Free Elective (upper division) 4
 Hours13
 Total Hours120

Physics B.S. - Engineering Physics Concentration

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
First SemesterHours
GSD 101 Foundations of Learning 3
CHE 111 General Chemistry (E-4) E* 3
CHE 111L General Chemistry Lab I 1
MAT 234 Calculus I (E-2) E 4
E-1A (ENG 101) E 3
 Hours14
Second Semester
CHE 112 General Chemistry II 3
CHE 112L General Chemistry Lab 1
MAT 244 Calculus II 4
PHY 201 University Physics I 5
E-1B (ENG 102) E 3
 Hours16
Second Year
First Semester
MAT 254 Calculus III 4
MAT 353 Differential Equations 3
PHY 202 University Physics II 5
Essential Education E 3
 Hours15
Second Semester
CSC 174 Introduction to Programming for Science & Engineering 3
PHY 211 Intermediate Physics 4
PHY 221 Statics 3
Essential Education E 3
Free Elective 3
 Hours16
Third Year
First Semester
PHY 302 Modern Physics 4
PHY 310 Theoretical Methods in Physics 3
PHY 375 Engineering Thermodynamics 3
PHY 360 Engineering Dynamics 3
Essential Education E 3
 Hours16
Second Semester
PHY 315 Electrical Circuits 4
PHY 406 Advanced Physics Laboratory 4
PHY 380 Fluid Mechanics 3
Free Elective 4
 Hours15
Fourth Year
First Semester
Restricted Elective 3
Essential Education E 3
EET 252 Digital Electronics 3
Free Elective (upper division) 4
Free Elective 3
 Hours16
Second Semester
Free Elective (upper division) 3
Free Elective (upper division) 3
Essential Education E 3
Essential Education E 3
 Hours12
 Total Hours120

Physics B.S. - Physics Teaching Concentration

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
First SemesterHours
GSD 101 Foundations of Learning 3
CHE 111 General Chemistry (E-4) E 3
CHE 111L General Chemistry Lab I 1
MAT 234 Calculus I (E-2) E 4
E-1A (ENG 101) E 3
 Hours14
Second Semester
CHE 112 General Chemistry II 3
CHE 112L General Chemistry Lab 1
MAT 244 Calculus II 4
SED 104 Special Education Introduction 3
E-1B (ENG 102) E 3
Essential Education E 3
 Hours17
Second Year
First Semester
EDF 203 Educational Foundations 3
PHY 201
or PHY 131
 University Physics I
or College Physics I
 5
CMS 100
or CMS 210
 Introduction to Human Communication (E-1C) E
or Public Speaking
 3
Essential Education E 3
CSC 174 Introduction to Programming for Science & Engineering 3
 Hours17
Second Semester
AST 135 Introductory Astronomy 3
BIO 100 Introductory Biology (E-4) E 3
EDF 219 Human Development and Learning 3
PHY 202
or PHY 132
 University Physics II
or College Physics II
 5
 Hours14
Third Year
First Semester
EDC 300 Differentiation in Inclusive Classrooms 3
EDF 204 Emerging Instructional Technologies 2
EMS 300 Curriculum and Instructional Design 3
PHY 302 Modern Physics 4
PHY 300 or above 3
 Hours15
Second Semester
CED 400 Clinical IV: Diagnosis and Prescription 1
EDF 413 Assessment in Education 3
EMS 490 Classroom and Behavior Management (spring only) 3
PHY 211 Intermediate Physics (spring only) 4
PHY 406 Advanced Physics Laboratory 4
PHY 315 Electrical Circuits 4
 Hours19
Fourth Year
First Semester
CED 450 Clinical V: Practicing Teaching 1
ESE 561 Teaching Science in Secondary School 3
Essential Education E 3
Essential Education E 3
AST 335 Stars, Galaxies, & Cosmology 3
EMS 474 Disciplinary Literacy 3
 Hours16
Second Semester
CED 499 Clinical VI: The Professional Semester 12
 Hours12
 Total Hours124