Detailed Overview of the Undergraduate Program

About the Program

The Department of Physics and Astronomy offers a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Arts degree, as well as a Minor in Physics. The department also offers a special major for life science (pre-med) students leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree. Our B.A. graduates have exceptionally high acceptance rates (over 95%) at Medical Schools.

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements for entering freshmen are based primarily on two factors: scores on standardized tests and high school academic performance. The average American College Test (ACT) score for physics majors is 27. Equal numbers of undergraduate students seek B.A. and B.S. degrees.

For more admissions information, and to apply for admission, please see the university's admissions web site.

Degree Requirements

Bachelor of Science

The B.S. in physics requires 42 hours of credit from selected physics courses. The B.S. degree consists of the basic Physics for Scientists and Engineers (211, 212, 221, 222) in the freshman year and 34 hours of upper-division courses, which must include Mathematical Physics (308), Thermodynamics (309), Mechanics (310), Introduction to Modern Physics (317, 318), Optics (319), Electromagnetic Theory (401,402), and Introduction to Quantum Mechanics (451); as well as Physics Senior Review (498). At least one additional upper-division laboratory-based course is required. This lab course is typically either Electronics (321) or Modern Physics Laboratory (417).

Additionally B.S. physics majors must take Math 261, 262, 263, 264, and 353, plus at least one of the following courses: Math 319, 454, or 459. All six required math courses should be completed by the end of the junior year.

Bachelor of Arts

The B.A. in Physics requires 24 hours in physics is offered in two tracks.

Track 1 includes the following: Physics 211, 221, 221, 222; at least 16 hours of approved physics courses at the 300 level or higher (excluding Phys 303), of which at least 6 hours are of approved physics courses at the 400 level or above.
Track 2 includes the following: Physics 213, 214, 223, 224, 303; at least 13 hours of approved physics courses at the 300 level or higher, of which at least 6 hours are of approved physics courses at the 400 level or above.

For both tracks Physics 498, Math 261, and 262 are also required

Premedical Physics Bachelor of Arts

The B.A. in Physics for Premeds also is offered in two tracks.

Track 1 includes the following: Physics 211, 221, 221, 222; at least 16 hours from the following: 315, 319, 321, 413, 415, 417, and 422.
Track 2 includes the following: Physics 213, 214, 223, 224, 303; at least 13 hours from the following: 315, 319, 321, 413, 415, 417, and 422.

For both tracks Physics 498, Math 261, and 262 are also required.

Physics Minor

A minor in Physics consists of 18 hours in physics, which must include the either the Physics 211, 212, 221, 222 or the Physics 213, 214, 223, 224 sequence, and at least 10 hours chosen from 303, 308, 309, 310, (either 315 or 317), 318, 319, 321, 401, 402, (either 415 or 417), 422, and 451. Physics courses at the appropriate level may be substituted at the discretion of the department.

Premedical Special Minor

A special minor in Physics for Premeds consists of Physics 213-214 and 223-224, 315, 413 and 415.

For more information please see the complete undergraduate catalog at the academic programs web page.

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