Skip to Main Content
2023-2024 University Catalog
catalog program twoColumn twoLeft

major: Physics

Degree: Bachelor of Science (BS) Concentration: Astrophysics 2023-2024

Osprey Map (Course Sequence Guide)

Prerequisites (28 credits)

CHEMISTRY 1 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

CHEMISTRY 2 REQUIREMENT:
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)

Contextual Courses (9 credits)

AST2002 Discovering Astronomy (3 Credits) or ESC2000 Discovering Earth Science (3 Credits)
COP2220 Programming I (3 Credits)
MAP2302 (GM) Ordinary Differ Equations (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: MAC 2312

Major Requirements (46 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 physics requirements.

PHY1024 Exploring Majoring in Physics (1 Credit)
AST3217 Astrophysics I (4 Credits)
Prerequisite: PHY2049 and Corequisite: PHY3101
AST3402 Astrophysics II (4 Credits)
Prerequisite: AST 3217
PHY3101 Modern Physics (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: PHY 2049 and Corequisite: MAC 2313
PHY3101L Modern Physics Lab (1 Credit)
Corequisite: PHY 3101
PHZ3113C Mathematical Physics (4 Credits)
Prerequisite: PHY 2049 and MAC 2313 and Corequisite: MAP 2302
PHY3220 Classical Mechanics (4 Credits)
Prerequisite: PHZ 3113C
PHY3424C Optics with Laboratory (4 Credits)
Prerequisites: PHY 2049 and MAC 2313
PHY4320 Electricity and Magnetism (4 Credits)
Prerequisite: PHZ 3113C
PHY3604 Quantum Mechanics (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: PHY3101 and PHZ 3113C
PHY3722C Electronics for Scientists (4 Credits)
Prerequisites: PHY 2049/L and MAC 2312
PHY4523 Thermodyn and Statistical Mech (4 Credits)
Prerequisites: (PHY 3101 or CHM 4410C) and MAC 2313
PHY4610 Applications of Quantum Mechanics (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: PHY 3604
PHY4802L Advanced Physics Laboratory (1 Credit)
Prerequisite: PHY 3101L
PHY4910 Physics Research and Seminar 1 (1 Credit)
Prerequisite: PHY 3101L
PHY4911 Physics Research and Seminar 2 (1 Credit)
Prerequisite: PHY 4910

Major Electives (3 to 4 credits)

SELECT 1 FROM THE FOLLOWING:
PHZ 4404 Solid State Physics (3 Credits)
PHZ 4160 Adv Topics Physics (4 Credits)
PHZ 4303 Nuclear Physics (3 Credits)
PHY 4660 Introduction to Quantum Field Theory (3 credits)

Free Electives (2 to 3 credits)

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).