Physics B.A.
Bachelor of Arts - Physics
College of Humanities & Sciences
Degree Specific Credits: 68
Required Cumulative GPA: 2.0
Catalog Year: 2019-2020
General Education Requirements
Information regarding these requirements can be found in the General Education Section of the catalog.
Summary
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 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 135 | Fund of 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.