This four-year plan serves as a sample to provide students with a clear path to graduation. A student’s path may differ from this example. Students are encouraged to consult with their faculty advisor each semester to ensure appropriate course selection.
Bachelor of Science in Physics
Standard Track
Physics Students take three of the four PHS core courses and two PHS electives.
Fall Semester
Course |
Credits |
PHS 235: Physics I |
4 |
MTH 201: Calculus I |
4 |
CSC 120: Intro to Computing |
4 |
ENG 112: College Composition |
3 |
GEP 100: Academic Planning Seminar |
1 |
Total |
16 |
Spring Semester
Course |
Credits |
PHS 240: Physics II |
4 |
MTH 202: Calculus II |
4 |
CSC 203: Prob Solv w/Objects |
4 |
Gen Ed: Humanities |
3 |
Total |
15 |
Fall Semester
Course |
Credits |
PHS 307: Physics III |
3 |
PHS 308: Electronics Laboratory |
1 |
MTH 203 Calculus III |
4 |
CHM 205: General Chemistry I |
4 |
Gen Ed: Fine Art w/Performance |
3 |
Total |
15 |
Spring Semester
Course |
Credits |
PHS 332: Math Methods and Intermediate Mechanics |
3 |
PHS 328: Modern Physics |
3 |
PHS 329: Modern Physics and Optics Lab |
1 |
MTH 255: Differential Equations |
3 |
CHM 206: General Chemistry II |
4 |
Total |
14 |
Fall Semester
Course |
Credits |
PHS 411: Quantum Mechanics |
3 |
Physics Elective (see below) |
3 |
PHS 345: Advanced Laboratory |
1 |
Gen Ed: Humanities |
3 |
Gen Ed: Social Science |
3 |
Gen Ed: Foreign Language |
3 |
Total |
16 |
Spring Semester
Course |
Credits |
PHS 415: Thermal Physics |
3 |
PHS 350: Instrumentation Laboratory |
1 |
PHS 403: Physics Seminar I |
1 |
Gen Ed: Fine Art |
3 |
Gen Ed: Diversity or Other Worlds |
3 |
Gen Ed: Social Science |
3 |
Total |
14 |
Fall Semester
Course |
Credits |
PHS 423: Advanced Mechanics or free elective |
3 |
Gen Ed: Oral Communication |
3 |
Gen Ed: Contemporary Issues |
3 |
Gen Ed: Gender Perspectives |
3 |
Free Elective towards degree total |
3 |
Total |
15 |
Spring Semester
Course |
Credits |
Physics Elective (see below) |
3 |
Free Elective or PHS 419: Electricity & Magnetism |
3 |
Free Elective towards degree total |
3 |
Free Elective towards degree total |
3 |
Free Elective towards degree total |
3 |
Total |
15 |
Course |
Credits |
PHS 361: Astrophysics |
3 |
PHS 362: Solid State Physics |
3 |
PHS 363: Semiconductor Physics |
3 |
3xx-4xx in BIO, CHM, CSC, ESC, GEO, MET, MTH |
3 |
Total Needed for Graduation |
6 |
Total Credits: 120
Advanced Track
Students take all four PHS core courses, two additional PHS electives, and PHS 404.
Fall Semester
Course |
Credits |
PHS 235: Physics I |
4 |
MTH 201: Calculus I |
4 |
CSC 120: Intro to Computing |
4 |
ENG 112: College Composition |
3 |
GEP 100: Academic Planning Seminar |
1 |
Total |
16 |
Spring Semester
Course |
Credits |
PHS 240: Physics II |
4 |
MTH 202: Calculus II |
4 |
CSC 203: Prob Solv w/Objects |
4 |
Gen Ed: Humanities |
3 |
Total |
15 |
Fall Semester
Course |
Credits |
PHS 307: Physics III |
3 |
PHS 308: Electronics Laboratory |
1 |
MTH 203 Calculus III |
4 |
CHM 205: General Chemistry I |
4 |
Gen Ed: Fine Art w/Performance |
3 |
Total |
15 |
Spring Semester
Course |
Credits |
PHS 332: Math Methods and Intermediate Mechanics |
3 |
PHS 328: Modern Physics |
3 |
PHS 329: Modern Physics and Optics Lab |
1 |
MTH 255: Differential Equations |
3 |
CHM 206: General Chemistry II |
4 |
Gen Ed: Social Science |
3 |
Total |
17 |
Fall Semester
Course |
Credits |
PHS 411: Quantum Mechanics |
3 |
Physics Elective (see below) |
3 |
PHS 345: Advanced Laboratory |
1 |
Gen Ed: Humanities |
3 |
Gen Ed: Social Science |
3 |
Gen Ed: Foreign Language |
3 |
Total |
16 |
Spring Semester
Course |
Credits |
PHS 415: Thermal Physics |
3 |
Physics Elective (see below) |
3 |
PHS 350: Instrumentation Laboratory |
1 |
PHS 403: Physics Seminar I |
1 |
Gen Ed: Fine Art |
3 |
Gen Ed: Diversity or Other Worlds |
3 |
Total |
14 |
Fall Semester
Course |
Credits |
PHS 423: Advanced Mechanics |
3 |
Physics Elective (see below) |
3 |
PHS 404: Physics Seminar II |
1 |
Gen Ed: Oral Communication |
3 |
Gen Ed: Contemporary Issues |
3 |
Free Elective towards degree total |
3 |
Total |
16 |
Spring Semester
Course (include Course number and title) |
Credits |
PHS 419: Electricity & Magnetism |
3 |
Physics Elective (see below) |
3 |
Gen Ed: Gender Perspectives |
3 |
Free Elective towards degree total |
3 |
Free Elective towards degree total |
3 |
Total |
15 |
Course |
Credits |
PHS 361: Astrophysics |
3 |
PHS 362: Solid State Physics |
3 |
PHS 363: Semiconductor Physics |
3 |
3xx-4xx in BIO, CHM, CSC, ESC, GEO, MET, MTH |
3 |
Total Needed for Graduation |
12 |