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 (Gen Ed L) |
4 |
MTH 201 Calculus I* (M) |
4 |
CSC 120: Intro to Computing |
4 |
ENG 112 College Composition (Q) |
3 |
GEP 100: Academic Planning Seminar |
1 |
Total |
16 |
*MTH 201 has a pre-requisite of MTH 122 Pre-calculus
Spring Semester
Course |
Credits |
PHS 240: Physics II |
4 |
MTH 202: Calculus II |
4 |
CSC 203 Problem Solving with Objects |
4 |
General Education - Oral Communication (Y) Elective |
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 |
General Education – Arts (F) Elective |
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 College Chemistry II |
4 |
Total |
14 |
Fall Semester
Course |
Credits |
PHS 345 Advanced Laboratory |
1 |
Physics Elective (see below) |
3 |
PHS 411 Quantum Mechanics |
3 |
General Education – US History and Civic Engagement Elective (V) |
3 |
General Ed. – Diversity: Equity, Inclusion, & Social Justice (D) Elective |
3 |
General Education - World Language (R) Elective |
3 |
Total |
16 |
Spring Semester
Course |
Credits |
PHS 350: Instrumentation Laboratory |
1 |
PHS 403 Physics Seminar I |
1 |
PHS 415 Thermal Physics |
3 |
General Education – World History and Global Awareness (O) Elective |
3 |
General Education – Humanities (H) Elective |
3 |
Open Elective |
3 |
Total |
14 |
Fall Semester
Course |
Credits |
PHS 419 Electricity & Magnetism |
3 |
General Education – Social Science (S) Elective |
3 |
General Education - Contemporary Issues (I) Elective |
3 |
Open Elective |
3 |
Open Elective |
3 |
Total |
15 |
Spring Semester
Course |
Credits |
Physics Elective (see below) |
3 |
General Education - Gender Perspectives (W) |
3 |
Open Elective |
3 |
Open Elective |
3 |
Open Elective |
3 |
Total |
15 |
Course |
Credits |
PHS 361 Special Topics |
3 |
PHS 362 Astrophysics |
3 |
PHS 363 Solid State Physics |
3 |
PHS 364 Semiconductor Device Physics |
3 |
PHS 365 Optics |
3 |
3xx-4xx in BIO, CHM, CSC, ESC, GEO, MET, MTH |
3 |
Total |
12 |
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 (Gen Ed L) |
4 |
MTH 201 Calculus I* (M) |
4 |
CSC 120: Intro to Computing |
4 |
ENG 112 College Composition (Q) |
3 |
GEP 100: Academic Planning Seminar |
1 |
Total |
16 |
*MTH 201 has a pre-requisite of MTH 122 Pre-calculus
Spring Semester
Course |
Credits |
PHS 240: Physics II |
4 |
MTH 202: Calculus II |
4 |
CSC 203: Prob Solv w/Objects |
4 |
General Education - Oral Communication (Y) Elective |
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 |
General Education – Arts (F) Elective |
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 345: Advanced Laboratory |
1 |
Physics Elective (see below) |
3 |
PHS 411 Quantum Mechanics |
3 |
General Education – US History and Civic Engagement Elective (V) |
3 |
General Ed. – Diversity: Equity, Inclusion, & Social Justice (D) Elective |
3 |
General Education - World Language (R) Elective |
3 |
Total |
16 |
Spring Semester
Course |
Credits |
PHS 350: Instrumentation Laboratory |
1 |
Physics Elective (see below) |
3 |
PHS 403: Physics Seminar I |
1 |
PHS 415 Thermal Physics |
3 |
General Education – World History and Global Awareness (O) Elective |
3 |
General Education – Humanities (H) Elective |
3 |
Total |
14 |
Fall Semester
Course |
Credits |
Physics Elective (see below) |
3 |
PHS 404 Physics Seminar II |
1 |
PHS 419 Electricity & Magnetism |
3 |
General Education – Social Science (S) Elective |
3 |
General Education - Contemporary Issues (I) Elective |
3 |
Open Elective |
3 |
Total |
16 |
Spring Semester
Course (include Course number and title) |
Credits |
PHS 423 Advanced Mechanics |
3 |
Physics Elective (see below) |
3 |
General Education - Gender Perspectives (W) |
3 |
Open Elective |
3 |
Open Elective |
3 |
Total |
15 |
Course |
Credits |
PHS 361 Special Topics |
3 |
PHS 362 Astrophysics |
3 |
PHS 363 Solid State Physics |
3 |
PHS 364 Semiconductor Device Physics |
3 |
PHS 365 Optics |
3 |
3xx-4xx in BIO, CHM, CSC, ESC, GEO, MET, MTH |
3 |
Total Needed for Graduation |
12 |