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Department of Physics
Plans of Study

Bachelor of Science Sample Program (120 cr. required)

The Department of Physics recommends the following sample program leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science.

Freshman Year
First Semester
CHEM-C105 Principles of Chemistry I 3
CHEM-C125 Experimental Chemistry I 2
MATH 16500 Analytic Geometry and Calculus I 4
MATH 17100 Multidimensional Mathematics 3
SCI-I120 Windows on Science 1
ENG-W131 Reading, Writing and Inquiry 3
Total 16
Second Semester
PHYS 15200 Mechanics 4
CHEM-C106 Principles of Chemistry II 3
CHEM-C126 Experimental Chemistry II 2
MATH 16600 Analytic Geometry and Calculus II 4
2nd written communication course 3
Total 16

 Sophomore Year
Third Semester
PHYS 25100 Heat Electricity and Optics 5
MATH 26100 Multivariate Calculus 4
Computer Programming (approved elective) 3-4
Arts & Humanities/Social Sciences (choose from list) 3
Total 15-16  
Fourth Semester
PHYS 30000 Intro. to Elem. Math Physics 3
PHYS 34200 Modern Physics 3
MATH 26600 Ordinary Differential Equations 3
COMM-R110 Fundamentals of Speech Communication 3
Arts & Humanities/Social Sciences (choose from list) 3
Total 15

Junior Year
Fifth Semester
PHYS 31000 Intermediate Mechanics 4
MATH Course 3
Arts & Humanities/Social Sciences (choose from list) 3
Cultural Understanding (choose from list) 3
Total 13
Sixth Semester
PHYS 33000 Intermediate Electricity and Magnetism 3
PHYS 35300 Electronics Laboratory 2
MATH Course 3
Life and Physical Science (approved elective) 3
Elective 3
Total 14

Senior Year
Seventh Semester
PHYS 40000 Physical Optics 3
PHYS 40100 Physical Optics Laboratory 2
PHYS 44200 Quantum Mechanics 3
Life and Physical Science (approved elective) 3
Elective 3
Total 14
Eighth Semester
PHYS 41800 Thermal & Statistical Physics 3
PHYS 49000 Capstone Experience 1-3
Electives 10-13
CAND 99100 Candidate for Graduation   0
Total 17

Biophysics Option Sample Program (minimum 120 cr. required)

Freshman Year
First Semester
CHEM-C105 Principles of Chemistry I 3
CHEM-C125 Experimental Chemistry I 2
MATH 16500 Analytic Geometry and Calculus I 4
ENG-W131 Reading, Writing and Inquiry 3
Cultural Understanding (choose from list) 3
SCI-I120 Windows on Science 1
Total 16
Second Semester
PHYS-P201 General Physics I or PHYS 15200 Mechanics 4 or 5
CHEM-C106 Principles of Chemistry II 3
CHEM-C126 Experimental Chemistry II 2
MATH 16600 Analytic Geometry and Calculus II 4
MATH 17100 Multidimensional Mathematics 3
Total 16 - 17

Sophomore Year
Third Semester
PHYS-P202 General Physics II or PHYS 25100 Heat, Elec. & Optics 5
CHEM-C341 Organic Chemistry I 3
CHEM-C343 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I 2
MATH 26100 Multivariate Calculus 4
ENG-W270 Argumentative Writing 3
Total 17
Fourth Semester
BIOL-K101 Concepts of Biology I 5
CHEM-C342 Organic Chemistry II 3
PHYS 34200 Modern Physics 3
PHYS 35300 Electronics Laboratory 2
MATH 26600 Ordinary Differential Equations 3
Total 16

Junior Year
Fifth Semester
BIOL-K103 Concepts of Biology II 5
PHYS 31000 Intermediate Mechanics 4
COMM-R110 Fundamentals of Speech Communication 3
PSY-B110 Introduction to Psychology 3
Total 15
Sixth Semester
BIOL-K483 Biological Chemistry 3
PHYS 33000 Interm. Electricity & Magnetism 3
CHEM-C360 Elementary Physical Chemistry 3
SOC-R100 Introduction to Sociology 3
Total 12

Senior Year
Seventh Semester
PHYS 44200 Quantum Mechanics 3
PHYS 49000 Capstone Experience 3
PHYS 58500 Intro. to Molecular Biophysics 3
Elective 3
Total 12
Eighth Semester
Computer Programming (approved elective) 3
Arts and Humanities/Social Sciences (choose from list) 3
Electives 9-10
CAND 99100 Candidate for Graduation 0
Total 15-16

Bachelor of Science in Physics  and Electrical Engineering Sample Program (133 cr. required)

The Department of Physics recommends the following sample program for students pursuing the program.

Freshman Year
First Semester
SCI-I120 Windows on Science or ENGR 19500 Introduction to the Engineering Profession 1
CHEM-C105 Principles of Chemistry I 3
CHEM-C125 Experimental Chemistry I 2
MATH 16500 Analytic Geometry and Calculus I 4
MATH 17100 Multidimensional Mathematics 3
ENG-W131 Reading, Writing and Inquiry 3
Total 16
Second Semester
PHYS 15200 Mechanics 4
CHEM-C106 Principles of Chemistry II 3
CHEM-C126 Experimental Chemistry II 2
MATH 16600 Analytic Geometry and Calculus II 4
Arts and Humanities/Social Sciences (choose from list) 3
Total 16


Sophomore Year
Third Semester
PHYS 25100 Heat Electricity and Optics 5
MATH 26100 Multivariate Calculus 4
CSCI 23000 Computing I 4
ECE 20100 Linear Circuit Analysis I 3
ECE 207 Electronic Measurement Techniques 1
ENGR 297 Computer Tools for Engineering 1
Total 18
Fourth Semester
PHYS 34200 Modern Physics 3
MATH 26600 Ordinary Differential Equations 3
ECE 20200 Circuit Analysis II 3
ECE 20800 Electronic Design and Devices lab 1
ECE 27000 Digital Logic with lab 4
ECE 25500 Introduction to Electronic Analysis and Design 3
Total 17

Junior Year
Fifth Semester
PHYS 31000 Intermediate Mechanics 4
MATH 35100 Elementary Linear Algebra or MATH 51100 Linear Algebra with Applications 3
ECE 30100 Signals and Systems 3
ECE 36200 Microprocessor Systems and Interfacing 4
Arts and Humanities/Social Sciences (choose from list) 3
Total 17
Sixth Semester
PHYS 33000 Intermediate Electricity and Magnetism 3
PHYS 35300 Electronics Laboratory 2
ECE 30200 Probabilistic Methods in Electrical Engineering 3
ECE 38200 Feedback Systems Analysis 3
TCM 32000 Written Communication in Science and Industry 3
Arts and Humanities/Social Sciences (choose from list) 3
Total 17

Senior Year
Seventh Semester
PHYS 40000 Physical Optics 3
PHYS 40100 Physical Optics Laboratory 2
PHYS 44200 Quantum Mechanics 3
ECE 40000 Senior Seminar 1
ECE 44000 Introduction to Comm. Systems Analysis 4
ECE Elective 3
Total 16
Eighth Semester
PHYS 41800 Thermal and Statistical Physics 3
ECE 40100 Ethics 1
ECE 49200 Senior Design 3
ECE Elective 3
COMM-R110 Fundamentals of Speech Communication 3
Cultural Understanding (choose from list) 3
CAND 99100 Candidate for Graduation 0
Total 16

Bachelor of Science and Master of Science (BPMME) Sample Program (136 cr. required)

The Department of Physics recommends the following sample program for students pursuing the BPMME program.

Freshman Year
First Semester
CHEM-C105 Principles of Chemistry I 3
CHEM-C125 Experimental Chemistry I 2
MATH 16500 Analytic Geometry and Calculus I 4
MATH 17100 Multidimensional Mathematics 3
SCI-I120 Windows on Science 1
ENG-W131 Reading, Writing and Inquiry 3
Total 16
Second Semester
PHYS 15200 Mechanics 4
CHEM-C106 Principles of Chemistry II 3
CHEM-C126 Experimental Chemistry II 2
MATH 16600 Analytic Geometry and Calculus II 4
2nd written communication course 3
Total 16


Sophomore Year
Third Semester
PHYS 25100 Heat Electricity and Optics 5
MATH 26100 Multivariate Calculus 4
Computer Programming Course (approved elective) 4
Arts and Humanities/Social Sciences (choose from list) 3
Total 16
Fourth Semester
PHYS 33000 Intermediate Electricity and Magnetism 3
PHYS 34200 Modern Physics 3
PHYS 35300 Electronics Laboratory 2
MATH 26600 Ordinary Differential Equations 3
COMM R110 Fundamentals of Speech Communication 3
Arts and Humanities/Social Sciences (choose from list) 3
Total 17

Junior Year
Fifth Semester
PHYS 31000 Intermediate Mechanics 4
ME 27200 Mechanics of Materials 4
ME 33000 Modeling and Analysis of Dynamic Systems 3
Life and Physical Sciences (approved elective) 5
Total 16
Sixth Semester
PHYS 41800 Thermal and Statistical Physics 3
ME 46200 Engineering Design 4
MATH Course 3
Life and Physical Sciences (approved elective) 3
Arts and Humanities/Social Sciences (choose from list) 3
Total 16
Senior Year
Seventh Semester
ME 500-level ME primary area course 3
Elective: 400 or 500 level Engineering or Physics 3
MATH 53700 Applied Mathematics for Sci. & Eng I 3
Cultural Understanding (choose from list) 3
Total 12
Eighth Semester
ME 500-level ME primary area course 3
Elective: 400 or 500 level Engineering or Physics 3
MATH 53800 Applied Mathematics for Sci. & Eng II 3
Total 9

Fifth Year
Ninth Semester
PHYS 55000 Introduction to Quantum Mechanics 3
ME 500-level ME primary area course 3
ME 500-level ME primary area course 3
Total 9
Tenth Semester
ME 69800 (thesis option) or ME 500-level ME primary/related area course 3
ME 69800 (thesis option) or ME 500-level ME primary/related area course 3
Science Elective: Graduate PHYS or MATH course 3
CAND 99100 Candidate for Graduation (with B.S. in Physics) 0
CAND 99100 Candidate for Graduation  (with an M.S. in ME) 0
Total 9

Science Electives (5th and 6th semesters) may be replaced by engineering courses with departmental approval.

Consult the Department of Mechanical Engineering Master’s Program Handbook (2013-2014) for ME primary and related courses.