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Physics Minor

Minor - Physics

College of Humanities & Sciences

Degree Specific Credits: 24

Required Cumulative GPA: 2.0

Catalog Year: 2021-22

Note: Mathematics prerequisites for the physics minor are M 171, M 172, M 273, (and M 221 if needed).

Summary

Required Lower-Division Courses

10

Upper-Division Core Course

3

Elective Courses

11

Teaching Physics Track

Total Hours

24


Required Lower-Division Courses

Note: The Physics with Calculus series (PHSX 215N - PHSX 218N) is strongly recommended.

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 Core Course

Code

Title

Hours

Complete the following course:

PHSX 301

Intro Theoretical Physics

3

Total Hours

3

Minimum Required Grade: C-


Elective Courses

Code

Title

Hours

Complete 11 credits of the following courses, 8 of which must be upper-division:

11

PHSX 141N

Einstein's Relativity

PHSX 291

Special Topics

PHSX 311

Oscillations and Waves

PHSX 320

Classical Mechanics

PHSX 323

Intermediate Physics Lab

PHSX 327

Optics

PHSX 330

Communicating Physics

PHSX 333

Computational Physics

PHSX 343

Modern Physics

PHSX 423

Electricity & Magnetism I

PHSX 444

Advanced Physics Lab

PHSX 446

Thermodyn & Stat Mech

PHSX 461

Quantum Mechanics I

PHSX 462

Quantum Mechanics II

Total Hours

11

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.

  • Individuals completing the teaching track of this minor must also complete the teaching track of a major in another teaching content area.

Teaching Physics Track Requirements:

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.