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2025-2026 University Catalog
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major: Physics

Degree: Bachelor of Science (BS) Concentration: Astrophysics 2025-2026

Osprey Map (Course Sequence Guide)

Prerequisites (28 credits)

CHEMISTRY REQUIREMENT:
CHM 2045/2045L General Chemistry I and Lab (4 credits)
Acceptable substitutes: (CHMX040 and CHMX041) or CHMX045C
Students must complete Introduction to Chemistry, CHM1025/L with a "C" or higher to take Chemistry I
CHM 2046/2046L General Chemistry II and Lab (4 credits)
Acceptable substitute: CHMX046C

MATHEMATICS REQUIREMENT:
MAC2311 (GM) Calculus I (4 Credits)
Prerequisite: MAC 1147 (Students must complete MAC1105 and Trig or Pre Calc with a "C" or higher to take Calc I)
Acceptable substitute: MACX281
MAC2312 (GM) Calculus II (4 Credits)
Prerequisite: MAC 2311
Acceptable substitute: MACX282
MAC2313 (GM) Calculus III (4 Credits)
Prerequisite: MAC 2312
Acceptable substitute: MACX283

PHYSICS REQUIREMENT:
PHY 2048C Calculus-based Physics I (4 credits)
Prerequisites: PHY1028 Introduction to Physics and MAC2311 Calculus I
Corequisite: MAC2312
PHY 2049 Calculus-based Physics II (3 credits)
Prerequisite: PHY2048C and MAC2312
PHY 2049L Calculus-based Physics II Lab (1 credit)

Core Requirements (15 credits)

The Physics major is very sequential as most courses are prerequisites to the next; many courses are only offered in fall semester or spring semester. Please see your academic advisor to discuss course sequencing. Courses must be taken in prerequisite order. Electronic approval for courses requiring prerequisites must be obtained each registration. Grades of C or above must be earned in all core requirements.         

COP 2220 Programming I (3 credits) 
PHY 1024 Exploring Majoring in Physics (1 Credit)                               
PHY 3101 Modern Physics (3 Credits)                                  
PHY 3101L Modern Physics Lab (1 Credit)     
PHZ 3113C Mathematical Physics (4 Credits)    
PHY 4802L Advanced Physics Laboratory (1 Credit)        
PHY 4910 Physics Research and Seminar 1 (1 Credit)          
PHY 4911 Physics Research and Seminar 2 (1 Credit)         

Major Requirements (21 credits)

Grades of C or above must be earned in all major requirements.

MAP 2302 (GM) Ordinary Differ Equations (3 Credits)    
PHY3220 Classical Mechanics (4 Credits)
PHY4320 Electricity and Magnetism (4 Credits)
PHY3604 Quantum Mechanics (3 Credits)
PHY4523 Thermodyn and Statistical Mech (4 Credits)
PHY4610 Applications of Quantum Mechanics (3 Credits)

Concentration Requirements (24 credits)

Grades of C or above must be earned in all concentration requirements.

PHY 3424C Optics with Laboratory (4 Credits)     
PHY 3722C Electronics for Scientists (4 credits)    
AST 3204 Stellar Astronomy (4 Credits)               
AST 3113 Planetary Astronomy (4 Credits)      
AST 3303 Galactic Astronomy (4 Credits)      
AST 3414 Cosmology (4 Credits)                        

Free Electives

This degree requires a minimum of 120 total hours with 48 upper (3000/4000) level hours. Free electives may be courses in any discipline (provided the required prerequisites are met) and they are the hours needed to satisfy the total hour requirement. These hours may vary (consult your advisor about free elective hours needed to graduate).