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Physics B.A.

Bachelor of Arts - Physics

College of Humanities & Sciences

Degree Specific Credits: 68

Required Cumulative GPA: 2.0

Catalog Year: 2021-22

General Education Requirements

Information regarding these requirements can be found in the General Education Section of the catalog.

Summary

Lower-Division Physics

10

Upper-Division Physics

30

Physics Electives

6

Math Requirements

16

Computer Science Requirements

3

Advanced College Writing Requirement

3

Teaching Physics Track

Total Hours

68


Lower-Division Physics

Code

Title

Hours

Complete one of the following Physics sequences:

10

Algebra- and Trigonometry-based Physics:

PHSX 205N
& PHSX 206N

College Physics I
and College Physics I Laboratory

PHSX 207N
& PHSX 208N

College Physics II
and College Physics II Laboratory

Calculus-based Physics (strongly recommended):

PHSX 215N
& PHSX 216N

Fund of Physics w/Calc I
and Physics Laboratory I w/Calc

PHSX 217N
& PHSX 218N

Fund of Physics w/Calc II
and Physics Laboratory II w/Calc

Total Hours

10

Minimum Required Grade: C-


Upper-Division Physics

Code

Title

Hours

Complete all of the following courses:

PHSX 301

Intro Theoretical Physics

3

PHSX 311

Oscillations and Waves

2

PHSX 320

Classical Mechanics

3

PHSX 323

Intermediate Physics Lab

3

PHSX 343

Modern Physics

3

PHSX 423

Electricity & Magnetism I

3

PHSX 444

Advanced Physics Lab

3

PHSX 461

Quantum Mechanics I

3

PHSX 499

Senior Capstone Seminar

1

Complete two of the following courses:

6

PHSX 425

Electricity & Magnetism II

PHSX 446

Thermodyn & Stat Mech

PHSX 462

Quantum Mechanics II

Total Hours

30

Minimum Required Grade: C-


Physics Electives

Note: Other PHSX courses may be substituted with adviser approval.

Code

Title

Hours

Complete two of the following courses:

6

PHSX 141N

Einstein's Relativity

or ASTR 142N

The Evolving Universe

PHSX 327

Optics

PHSX 330

Communicating Physics

PHSX 333

Computational Physics

PHSX 425

Electricity & Magnetism II (2 of these 3 courses must be taken in the physics core, the remaining course can be used as an elective)

or PHSX 446

Thermodyn & Stat Mech

or PHSX 462

Quantum Mechanics II

Total Hours

6

Minimum Required Grade: C-


Math Requirements

Note: M 317, M 412, and M 418 are recommended as well

Code

Title

Hours

Complete all of the following courses:

M 171

Calculus I

4

M 172

Calculus II

4

M 221

Introduction to Linear Algebra

4

M 273

Multivariable Calculus

4

Total Hours

16

Minimum Required Grade: C-


Computer Science Requirements

Code

Title

Hours

Complete one of the following courses:

3

CSCI 100

Intro to Programming

CSCI 150

Introduction to Computer Science

CSCI 151

Interdisciplinary Computer Science I

PHSX 333

Computational Physics (strongly recommended)

Total Hours

3

Minimum Required Grade: C-


Advanced College Writing Requirement

Note: May substitute another advanced writing course as approved by the department chair.

Code

Title

Hours

Complete the following course:

PHSX 330

Communicating Physics

3

Total Hours

3

Minimum Required Grade: C-


Teaching Physics Track

Notes:

  • This teaching track contains different/additional course requirements designed to meet state standards. Those interested in teaching in K-12 schools must complete the teaching track of a major in a teaching content area plus the Teacher Education Program through the Department of Teaching and Learning. Additional teaching areas can be added through completion of the teaching track of a major or minor in that content area.

  • To complete this teaching track, you need to contact the Teaching and Learning Department. You do not fill out a major/minor form for graduation or the major/minor/concentration section of the major change form. Approvals for this track must come from the Teaching and Learning Department.

  • Tracks will not appear on your UM transcript, diploma, university lists, student data system, or university publications. They are used for advising purposes only. You do not fill out a major change for a track.

Teaching Physics Track Requirement

Note: The EDU 497 course number is used for multiple courses. Students should register for EDU 497 Methods: 5-12 Science.

Code

Title

Hours

Complete the following course:

EDU 497

Teaching and Assessing

4

Total Hours

4

Minimum Required Grade: C-


Secondary Teaching Licensure

Note: For endorsement to teach physics, a student also must gain admission to the Teacher Education Program and meet all the requirements for secondary teaching licensure. For more information, see the Teaching and Learning Department.