The Bachelor of Arts physics degree is for students who desire a broad, possibly interdisciplinary, education with an emphasis in physics. It is a suitable foundation for a variety of professional careers including teaching, business, law, and medicine. This is also an option for students pursuing a major in another discipline, such as chemistry, computer science, engineering technology, and mathematics.

Required Courses:

Introductory Physics:
PHYS 181 - General Physics I with Laboratory
PHYS 182 - General Physics II with Laboratory
PHYS 183 - General Physics III with Laboratory

Introductory Chemistry:
CHEM 181 - General Chemistry I
CHEM 181LAB - General Chemistry Laboratory I
CHEM 182 - General Chemistry II
CHEM 182LAB - General Chemistry Laboratory II

Math:
MATH 172 - Calculus I
MATH 173 - Calculus II
MATH 265 - Linear Algebra I
MATH 272 - Multivariable Calculus I
MATH 273 - Multivariable Calculus II
MATH 265 - Linear Algebra I
MATH 272 - Multivariable Calculus I
MATH 273 - Multivariable Calculus II

Major Classes:
PHYS 317 - Modern Physics I
PHYS 318 - Modern Physics II
PHYS 331 - Laboratory Practices and Techniques
PHYS 333 - Experimental Physics I
PHYS 361 - Computational Physics
PHYS 363 - Optics
PHYS 489 - Senior Assessment
PHYS 495 - At least 2 credits of Undergraduate Research

Electives:
Students must take an additional 9 credits of department approved electives. At least four credits must be from the physics department at the 200-level or above. The rest of the credits may be from any department, including physics, at the 200-level or above. Courses must be approved by the department chair and advisor.

See physics course descriptions here.

Advice to Prospective and Current Students:

Students planning on taking Electromagnetic Theory or Quantum Mechanics as an elective should take the prerequisite MATH 376.

Students should plan to complete their undergraduate research credits (PHYS 495) as early as possible. Motivated students can start taking PHYS 495 as early as their sophomore year.  Most students will be prepared to do research during their junior year.