Physics: Bachelor of Arts

The Department of Physics offers a program leading to a bachelor of arts degree in physics. The program is suited especially for students who are interested in combining a degree in physics with the study of another discipline (such as biology, life sciences, environmental science, or a major in humanities).

The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Biology is designed to allow students to combine coursework in biology with classes towards a major or minor in a liberal arts field, business, or education.  It is appropriate for students preparing for admission to master's degree programs in physical therapy, hospital administration, and genetic counseling; it can also be used to meet admission requirements for programs in occupational therapy, optometry, environmental law, scientific illustration, public health, and science communication, among many possibilities. This is a more flexible program than the traditional biology major on which it is based. The degree program requires 120 credit hours.

 

University Core Requirements -- 30 credit hours

General Physics (PHY 204-205) satisfies the science requirement. The core requirement for mathematics is satisfied by Calculus (MTH 201).

College Requirements, B.A. -- 21-33 credit hours

Hrs.
3	Effective Communication (CST 100, CST 107, CST 307, ENG 107, ENG 311)
3	Metaphysics (one course from PHL 331-337)
15	Credits of upper-division courses outside the primary major, 9 of which must come from 3 different disciplines in the College of Arts and Sciences. This requirement is not fulfilled by the University core.
0-12	Intermediate level of one language

Major Requirements-- 48 credit hours

Hrs.
8	MTH 201-202 - Calculus I-II
4	MTH 301 - Vector Calculus
4	CHM 207/277 - General Chemistry I / Lab or BIO 206/276 - Organismal and Population Biology / Lab
4	PHY 201/271 - General Physics / Lab or PHY 204 - General Physics Lecture & Lab or PHY 208 - Integrated Physics / Math Lecture & Lab
4	PHY 202/272 - General Physics / Lab or PHY 205 - General Physics Lecture & Lab or PHY 209 - Integrated Physics / Math Lecture & Lab
4	PHY 306/376 - Modern Physics / Lab
3	PHY 356 - Mathematical Methods for Physicists
17	Major electives (PHY 312, 317, 321, 322, 370, 371, 372, 411, 412, 422, 441, 470, 471, 472)

General Electives -- 9-21 credit hours

Total Credit Hours -- 120