Departments & Programs
Department of Physics
Physics-Undergraduate Degree Options
Degree Requirements
Minimum requirements for the School of Science are given in this bulletin (see the School of Science requirements under “Undergraduate Programs”).
First-Year Experience Course
Beginning freshmen and transfer students with fewer than 19 credit hours are required to take SCI-I120 Windows on Science (1 cr.) or an equivalent first-year experience course.
Area I English Composition and Communication Competency
ENG-W131 or W140 Reading Writing and Inquiry (3 cr.)
The second semester of English composition may be satisfied only with ENG-W270 (preferred), ENG-W230, ENG-W231, ENG-W250, ENG-W331, ENG-W350, or TCM 32000. (3 cr.)
Area II World Language Competency
Proficiency in a world language is not required for a Bachelor of Science degree from the School of Science, with the exception of Mathematical Science degrees.
Area IIIA Arts and Humanities, Social Sciences, and Cultural Understanding Competencies (12 cr.)
List H course: Choose one course (3 cr.) from this list. The list of course choices is located under the School of Science requirements “Undergraduate Programs” in this bulletin.
List S course: Choose one course (3 cr.) from this list. The list of course choices is located under the School of Science requirements “Undergraduate Programs” in this bulletin.
List C course: Choose one course (3 cr.) from this list. The list of course choices is located under the School of Science requirements “Undergraduate Programs” in this bulletin.
One additional course from either List H or List S
For the most current list of courses in the areas of Arts and Humanities, Social Sciences and Cultural Understanding, please refer to the IUPUI General Education Curriculum.
Area IIIC Life and Physical and Sciences Competency
Minimum requirements for the School of Science are given in this bulletin (see the School of Science requirements under “Undergraduate Programs”).
Courses must include CHEM-C105/CHEM-C125 and CHEM-C106/CHEM-C126 with laboratory or their approved equivalent. For Physics majors, course options in this area also include: ECE 20100, ECE 20200, ECE 20400, ECE 27000, ME 30100, ME 31000 and ME 34000.
Students must have grades of C- or higher in Life and Physical Sciences courses. A grade of D or D+ will be allowed for one course only.
Area IIID Analytical Reasoning Competency
Minimum requirements for the School of Science are given in this bulletin (see the School of Science requirements under “Undergraduate Programs”)
Twenty-four (24) credit hours of courses in mathematics are required, which must include MATH 16500, MATH 16600, MATH 17100, MATH 26100 and MATH 26600 and two (2) additional courses beyond MATH 26600.
Students must have grades of C- or higher in Analytical Reasoning courses. A grade of D or D+ will be allowed for one course only.
Area IV Physics Concentration
The Department of Physics offers four options for students pursuing the Bachelor of Science degree: a traditional physics program; a biophysics option; a program designed for students planning a career in physics teaching; an accelerated program with a B.S. in physics and a B.S. in electrical engineering; and an accelerated program known as the BPMME program because students earn both a bachelor’s in physics and a master’s in mechanical engineering.
Students pursuing the traditional program must complete PHYS 15200, PHYS 25100, PHYS 29900, PHYS 30000, PHYS 31000, PHYS 33000, PHYS 34200, PHYS 35300, PHYS 40000, PHYS 40100, PHYS 41800, PHYS 44200, and PHYS 49000. These students must complete 6 hours of mathematics above the level of MATH 26600 in courses approved by the Department of Physics.
Students pursuing the biophysics option must complete: Introductory course sequence PHYS-P201 or PHYS 15200, PHYS-P202 or PHYS 25100, PHYS 29900, PHYS 31000, PHYS 33000, PHYS 34200, PHYS 35300, PHYS 44200, PHYS 58500, and PHYS 49000 (Biophysics Capstone). In addition, a minimum of 13 credit hours of biology and 21 credit hours of chemistry is required. Please refer to the Biophysics Option section of the bulletin for detailed information. Note: For this option, students are NOT required to complete two (2) additional courses beyond MATH 26600.
Students pursuing the teaching option must complete: PHYS 15200, PHYS 25100, PHYS 30000, PHYS 31000, PHYS 33000, PHYS 34200, PHYS 35300, and PHYS 49000. The Department of Physics may substitute other science courses for the 400-level courses and recommend education courses in order to meet teacher certification requirements. These students must complete 6 hours of mathematics above the level of MATH 26600 in courses approved by the Department of Physics.
Students pursuing the program in physics and mathematical sciences must complete PHYS 15200, PHYS 25100, PHYS 29900, PHYS 31000, PHYS 3300, PHYS 34200, PHYS 35300, PHYS 40000, PHYS 40100, PHYS 41800 and PHYS 44200. Students must complete the MATH sequence up to MATH 26600 and MATH 35100, MATH 30000, MATH 41400, MATH 42600 and MATH 44400. Additionally, students must take twelve (12) additional credit hours: three credit hours selected from MATH 35300/35400/45300; three credit hours selected from mathematics courses at the 300 level or above and statistics courses numbered 35000 or higher; three additional credit hours from mathematics or statistics or from physics courses numbered 300 level or above. Please refer to the dual degree Physics/Math section of the bulletin for detailed information.
Students pursuing the program in physics and mechanical engineering must complete: PHYS 15200, PHYS 25100, PHYS 30000, PHYS 31000, PHYS 33000, PHYS 34200, PHYS 35300, PHYS 40000, PHYS 40100, PHYS 41800 and PHYS 55000. These students must complete 3 hours of mathematics above the level of MATH 26600 in courses approved by the Department of Physics. Students in this program must satisfy additional requirements specified by the Department of Mechanical Engineering.
Students pursuing the program in physics and electrical engineering must complete the traditional physics program except PHYS 29900, PHYS 30000, PHYS 49000, a computer programming class, 2 life/physical science classes, and one MATH elective at the 26600-level or higher. The following electrical engineering classes must be completed: ENGR 29700, ECE 20100, ECE 20700, ECE 20200, ECE 26100 & 26300 (concurrently), ECE 20800 & 25500 (concurrently), ECE 27000, ECE 30100, ECE 36200, ECE 38200, ECE 21000, ECE 40100, ECE 44000, ECE 30200, ECE 48700, ECE 48800, and 15 hours of ECE electives in consultation with the electrical engineering advisor. Attendance may be required during summer sessions to avoid academic overload during the fall and spring semesters. Please keep in regular contact with the electrical engineering advisor for frequency and availability of electrical engineering classes. Please refer to the Physics and Electrical Engineering section of the bulletin for detailed information.
Students pursuing the program in physics with the embedded Electrical Engineering minor must complete the physics classes for the traditional program plus the following Electrical Engineering classes: ECE 30200, ECE 26300 concurrently with ECE26100, ECE 30100, ECE 36200, and an additional 4-credit-hour ECE elective (ECE 32100 or ECE 36500 or ECE 38200 or ECE 44000).
No more than 6 credit hours of studio, clinical, athletic, or performing arts courses will be approved. See the departmental advisor for details.
