Skip to main content

Physics Minor

Minor - Physics

College of Humanities & Sciences

Degree Specific Credits: 24

Required Cumulative GPA: 2.0

Catalog Year: 2019-2020

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

Summary

Required Lower-Division Courses10
Upper-Division Core Course3
Elective Courses11
Teaching Physics Track
Total Hours24

Required Lower-Division Courses

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

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 Hours10

Minimum Required Grade: C-


Upper-Division Core Course

Complete the following course:
PHSX 301Intro Theoretical Physics3
Total Hours3

Minimum Required Grade: C-


Elective Courses

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 Hours11

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.

Complete the following course
EDU 497Teaching and Assessing4
Total Hours4

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.