Bachelor of Arts in Physical Sciences
New! Starting Spring 2026
Program Description
The BA in Physical Sciences combines a liberal arts perspective with core studies in chemistry and physics. Compared to the BS, it requires fewer STEM courses, offering flexibility to pair science with health, business, humanities, or social sciences through a required minor. While less focused on specialized research, it suits students pursuing interdisciplinary careers that require knowledge across sciences and other fields of study.
Academic Advising
Your academic advisor is a critical partner in fostering your success at IU South Bend and beyond. Your advisor will help you explore academic majors and careers, plan your degree, choose classes, learn about internships and study abroad, and much more. To see who is assigned as your advisor, visit your Student Online Advising Record in one.iu.edu. For more information about advising at IU South Bend, visit the website for the Undergraduate Advising Center.
Final responsibility for meeting degree requirements rests with the student.
Questions about advising? Email sbadvise@iu.edu or call (574) 520-4550.
Degree Requirements
Current students can view their degree pathway in Stellic >>
Students receiving the Bachelor of Science in Physical Sciences degree must complete 120 credits including the following.
- IU South Bend General Education Curriculum (33 cr.) to include:
- MATH-M 215 | Fulfills Fundamental Literacies Quantitative Reasoning
- PHYS-P 303 | Fulfills Extended Literacies
- PSCI-S 106 | Fulfills Information Literacy
- CHEM-C 105/125 | Fulfills Science Course and Laboratory
- Required Minor (15-18 cr.)
- Major Requirements (41 cr.)
- Foundation (26 cr.)
- Advanced Coursework (15 cr.)
- Supporting Requirements (10-16 cr.)
- Free Electives (balance of credits needed to equal 120 credit requirement)
- Minimum of 30 credit hours at the 300– or 400–level.
- Coures required for the major and minor must be completed with a grade of C– or higher.
- Must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 for Major Requirements.
- At least 30 credit hours must be taken in residence at IU South Bend, of which at least 12 credits must be in the major at the 300– or 400–level.
- All courses are 3 credit hours, unless otherwise noted.
Major Requirements (41 cr.)
Foundation (26 cr.)
- CHEM-C 105 Principles of Chemistry I
- CHEM-C 106 Principles of Chemistry II
- CHEM-C 125 Experimental Chemistry I (2 cr.)
- CHEM-C 126 Experimental Chemistry II (2 cr.)
- PHYS-P 221 Physics I (5 cr.)
- PHYS-P 222 Physics II (5 cr.)
- PHYS-P 303 Digital Electronics (4 cr.)
- PSCI-S 106 Freshman Seminar (1 cr.)
- PSCI-S 490 Senior Seminar (1 cr.)
Advanced Coursework (15 cr.)
- At least 15 credits above the 200–level of AST, CHEM, GEOL, “Physical Sciences”, or PHYS. Other courses subject to department approval.
Supporting Requirements (10-16 cr.)
Mathematics (10 cr.)
- MATH-M 215 Calculus I (5 cr.)
- MATH-M 216 Calculus II (5 cr.)
World Language (0-6 cr.)
Successful completion of a second-semester language class (102), placement into/beyond the third-semester language class (203), or formal training, as evidenced by secondary or university diplomas or transcripts, in a language other than English. The Department of World Language Studies (WLS) offers a placement examination to determine into which semester a student should enroll and/or to qualify students for credit by examination.