Undergraduate
Programs

 


 

 

            Physics is concerned with the most basic principles that underlie all phenomena in the universe. Physicists ask, “How does the world work?” They search for the most elementary particles; they seek understanding of the behavior of collections of particles ranging from quarks in nuclei and electrons in atoms to stars in galaxies; they strive for insights into the nature of space and time, and they explore the behavior of matter and energy.  On a more human scale, physicists study an enormous range of topics including all the devices of modern electronics, complex biological molecules, the atmosphere, and all forms of energy and its uses.  Physics is the basis for much of engineering and technology.  Studying physics prepares some students to push back the boundaries of knowledge in this most fundamental of the natural sciences.  For others it provides training in the concepts and methods of science for application in many professional areas, and for many it gives a more substantial basis for understanding many aspects of modern society.

 

            The Physics undergraduate major is planned to serve students with a broad spectrum of interests and objectives.  The department offers both Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Science (BS) degrees. In addition there is a joint Astronomy/Physics BA. The basic BA is designed for students interested in physics and planning to enter professional schools in business, education, law, and medicine, and for liberal arts students desiring a strong background in physical science but with career objectives in other areas. Students planning graduate study in physics or physics related areas or preparing to enter jobs in a scientific or technical field should elect the BS or the BA with a Distinguished Major course sequence, or for astronomy or astrophysics, the Astronomy/Physics BA. These programs provide intensive preparation in physics.

 

            If you are curious about how a physics major may fit your interests, please contact one of the physics undergraduate advisors listed below to learn about the various possibilities and to design a program to fit your specific needs. Extensive information about the department and its programs can be found through the Physics Department site on the Internet at http://www.phys.virginia.edu.

 

Physics Department Office:

Room 101, Jesse Beams Laboratory Physics

Mailing Address:

Physics Department, University of Virginia

 

382 McCormick Road, PO Box 400714

 

Charlottesville, VA  22904 - 4714

 

Phone:  434-924-3781

Fax:  434-924-4576

Internet Address: http://www.phys.virginia.edu

 

Undergraduate Advisors Office Office Phone
Bascom S. Deaver, Jr. 311C Physics 924-6574
Blaine E. Norum 136 Physics 924-6789
Stefan Baeßler 169 Physics 243-1024
Diana Vaman 318 Physics 924-6585
Keith A. Williams 159 Physics 924-6136
Stephen T. Thornton 305 Physics 924-6165


                In the sections that follow we give some information about the department and its activities, describe the requirements for the various degrees, and show some typical course sequences leading to the degrees.



The Physics Major


                There are several introductory course sequences leading to the physics major.  For all of them it is highly desirable to complete Math 1310, 1320 or equivalent courses in calculus by the end of the first year.  If calculus is not taken during the first year, any of the sequences can be started in the second year and the requirements for the BA, but not the BS, completed in four years.

 

Requirements for the BA in Physics 

 

There are two options leading to the BA in physics, each having three components:

 

Option I

(1)  Prerequisites - Math 1310, 1320 and Phys 1610, 1620.

(2)  Math 2310 and Phys 2610, 2620, 2630, 2640.

(3)  Three courses chosen from PHYS 2660 and/or 3000-level physics courses.

 

Option II 

(1)  Prerequisites - Math 1310, 1320.

(2)  Math 2310 and Phys 2310, 2320, 2030, 2040, 2620.

(3)  Four courses chosen from PHYS 2660 and/or 3000-level physics courses.

 

            For either of the options, a year of chemistry may be substituted for one of the 3000-level physics courses in (3).  

 

            Students choosing Option II who want more extensive preparation in basic physics and particularly those planning to take physics courses numbered 3150 and higher should replace Phys 2030, 2040 in component (2) with the higher level laboratory sequence Phys 2630, 2640 to be taken after completing Phys 2310, 2320. 

 

            It is also possible to enter the physics major through Phys 1425.  Students desiring to use this route should consult one of the physics undergraduate advisors.

 

            For students electing the basic BA program, the courses, Physics 3110, 3120 - Widely Applied Physics, if elected in component (3), can be used to complete a strong preparation in basic physics.  These courses are designed to make use of the concepts learned in the introductory courses to understand some modern applications including fluid dynamics, aeronautics, musical sound, chaos, superconductivity and electronic communications. Either one (for Option I) or two (for Option II) additional courses complete the requirements of component (3). Phys 2660 Fundamentals of Scientific Computing and a year of introductory chemistry are good choices for completing this component. Students completing the basic BA program have an outstanding record of success in admission to medical, law, business and education schools.

 

            Math 3255 is not required for the BA degree, however it is a prerequisite for courses numbered 3210 and above, any of which can be chosen to complete component (3).

 

            Strong preparation for graduate study in physics and physics-related areas and for scientific and technical jobs is provided by the following programs:

 

BA with Distinguished Major Course Sequence

 

This sequence may be entered using components (1) and (2) of either Option I or II above. Component (3) is replaced by the following requirements:  Math 3255, Phys 2660, 3170, 3210, 3310, 3420, 3650, 3660, 3995 and one 3000-5000 level physics elective. If Option II is used, substitution of Phys 2630, 2640 for Phys 2030, 2040 is strongly recommended.

 

BS in Physics

 

The requirements for the BS in physics are the completion of the Distinguished Major Course sequence plus Math 5210, 5220  (or equivalent APMA courses) and Phys 3430. Except for Echols scholars, the requirements for the BS in Physics include completion of the standard College of Arts and Sciences competency and area requirements.

 

Two special concentrations can be pursued by students in either the BA or the BS progams: A Computational Physics Concentration (Phys 5630, 5640 Computational Physics I, II); An Optics Concentration (Phys 5310 Optics & Optics Laboratory and Phys 5320 Fundamentals of Photonics). A concentration in experimental physics can be obtained by taking Phys 3150 Electronics, Phys 3170 Intermediate Laboratory I and Phys 3180 Intermediate Laboratory II.

 

            A grade point average of at least 2.0 for all the required courses must be achieved for graduation as a physics major.

 

BA in Astronomy-Physics    This is an interdepartmental major administered jointly with the Astronomy Department.  This major prepares a student for graduate study in either astronomy or physics.  The requirements are Math 1310, 1320, 2310, 3255, 5210, 5220; Phys 1610, 1620, 2610, 2620, 2630, 2640, 2660, 3210, 3420, 3430, 3650; and ASTR 2110, 2120, 3130, 4993, 4998(Senior Thesis), and six additional credits of 3000-5000 level Astronomy courses.

 

           The course requirements for the BA, BA-DMP and BS are summarized (below), which also show the topics and credit hours. The Astronomy-Physics requirements are also listed below.

 

Some Additional Information about the Physics Program

 

            Physics majors are a relatively small but a very outstanding, enthusiastic and diverse group. During the last decade an average of 34 students has graduated each year with bachelors degrees in physics. An encouraging trend is that 24% of them are women. There is a wide diversity of interests, and many students have double majors. In the last several years second majors have included anthropology, biology, chemistry, economics, English, environmental science, French, German language and literature, government, history, mathematics, music, philosophy, psychology, religious studies, Slavic languages and literature, and studio art.

 

            Approximately half of our physics majors go on to graduate or professional schools, most at top-ranked universities, and they are very successful there. Recent graduates have attended the University of California at Berkeley, University of California at Santa Barbara, Cal Tech, Chicago, Colorado, Cornell, Dartmouth, Duke, Georgia Tech, Harvard, Johns Hopkins, MIT, Princeton, Stanford and Yale. Many recent graduates have taken scientific or technical positions in industry or government immediately after graduating with a bachelors degree. Each year several go to professional schools in medicine, education, business and law. Others graduate with physics as a concentration in a broad liberal arts program and enter a variety of careers.

 

            Beginning the first year there are special courses for physics majors. The third and fourth year classes are small, and students have much interaction with faculty members. Since the Department has active research programs in all the major fields of physics that involve all 35 faculty members, there are many opportunities for undergraduates to participate in research on the frontiers of physics. During their third and fourth years, students in the Distinguished Majors and BS programs undertake independent research projects (Phys 3995), working on a tutorial basis with a faculty member and often working with a research group. The study culminates in a written and an oral report. Students find these projects among the most valuable and enjoyable parts of their programs. Also there are summer jobs and part-time jobs during the academic year with the various research groups.

 

            In addition to the undergraduate courses, many graduate courses in physics may be taken by advanced undergraduates. Undergraduate students are encouraged to take advantage of the weekly colloquia. These talks are given by eminent physicists from around the world. They provide further contact with research on the frontiers of physics.

 

            All physics majors are expected to become proficient in the use of computers by taking courses and by using computers for coursework and in the research labs. Phys 2660 Fundamentals of Scientific Computing introduces some programming concepts and numerical methods. We provide an introduction to data acquisition and analysis in the introductory laboratory courses, an introduction to microprocessors in Phys 3150-Electronics, more advanced data acquisition and analysis in the intermediate physics laboratory courses, and many class and laboratory exercises requiring use of computers. As mentioned above, there are courses providing a concentration in computational physics. In addition a wide variety of computer courses is available through the Computer Science Department and numerous workshops are presented by Information Technology and Communication staff.

 

            Personal computers and computer systems are widely available. A departmental computer facility is open to all majors, and there are computers in the undergraduate labs, as well as in research labs in which students participate. All are linked through local networks and to national and worldwide networks.

 

            Early declaration of major is encouraged: you do not have to wait until your fourth semester. A valued perquisite for physics majors is that all are provided keys to the Physics Building that give them access at any time to the Physics Library, two conference rooms and the departmental computer facility. Very frequently at night and on weekends one finds groups of physics majors gathered in one of the conference rooms or the library working together (as we encourage them to do) on quantum mechanics, statistical physics or other topics.

 

            Some very interesting facts about the skills physics graduates find most useful emerged from a recent survey by the American Institute of Physics. They queried some thousands of people with physics degrees (bachelors, masters and doctorates) working in industry, government, and secondary and higher education about the skills they used most frequently. At all degree levels and for all types of jobs, whether directly involving physics or not, almost 100% of respondents said that problem solving is their most frequently used skill. Computer skills were highly ranked by most of the respondents, but even more highly ranked were interpersonal skills and technical writing. These same skills have been identified as most important by many companies who hire physics graduates.

 

            We address the development of these skills explicitly in the physics major. Problem solving and computing are already strong components of the program. The upper-level physics laboratories and independent research courses are structured to provide excellent opportunities for developing skills in both oral and written communication of technical material. Spontaneous teamwork on solving problems in the upper-level courses has long been a part of being a physics major. Working with a variety of partners in the elementary and upper-level lab courses also helps develop skills in interpersonal relationships. These experiences are supplemented in physics classes by group problem solving, which has been shown to be an effective way of learning new concepts and has the added effect of teaching and encouraging teamwork.

 

            The local Society of Physics Students organizes weekly meetings with invited talks and pizza. The weekly SPS meetings offer special talks on topics related to physics by faculty members from Physics and other departments at the University. There are also presentations devoted to giving advice and commentary on graduate and professional schools, and talks about careers in science. At each meeting there are refreshments and time for students to talk to each other and to faculty members who are invited to attend. Membership in SPS is open to any student interested in physics. Membership in Sigma Pi Sigma recognizes special academic achievement.

 

            There are a number of activities each year intended to help students and faculty get to know each other and to recognize academic achievement. There is an annual reception in the Rotunda near the beginning of the fall semester to which all undergraduate majors, students who think they might like to major, and all physics faculty are invited. The annual Physics/Astronomy diploma ceremony is held on the lawn in front of Kent & Dabney Houses across Bonnycastle Dr. from the Physics Building. During this ceremony, various awards are presented, including an award to the graduate with the most outstanding academic record in physics and one for the most outstanding undergraduate research project that year.

 

Distinguished Major Program

 

This program provides recognition of outstanding academic performance in a challenging sequence of physics courses including an independent research project.  Students who complete the Distinguished Majors Course Sequence or the BS requirements with final grade point averages exceeding 3.4, 3.6, or 3.8, are given departmental recommendation to receive their degrees (BA or BS) with distinction, high distinction, or highest distinction, respectively.

 

Career Planning

 

In addition to the extensive resources available through University Career Services (UCS), the Physics Department offers assistance with career planning in a number of ways:

 

Discussions with undergraduate advisors and other physics faculty members

Talks about graduate schools and careers at SPS meetings

A brochure, “What can I do with a physics major”

Contacts with UVa alumni who are willing to offer career information

Pointers to information on the Internet: 

UCS web site, http://www.virginia.edu/~career/

The American Institute of Physics site,  http://aip.org/

 


 


 

 

Summary of Requirements

for

BA in Physics

 

 

Option I

Option II

 

Prerequisites

Prerequisites

 

Math 1310, 1320

Calculus I, II

[4,4]

Math 1310, 1320

Calculus I, II

[4,4]

 

Phys 1610, 1620

Intro. Phys. I, II

[4,4]

 

 

 

 

Requirements

Requirements

 

Math 2310

Calculus III

[3]

Math 2310

Calculus III

[3]

 

Phys 2610, 2620

Intro. Phys. III, IV

[4,4]

Phys 2310, 2320

Class. Mod. Phys I, II

[4,4]

 

Phys 2630, 2640

Elem. Lab. I,II

[3,3]

Phys 2030, 2040

Intro. Lab. I, II

[1,1]

 

 

 

 

Phys 2620

Intro. Phys. IV

[4]

 

plus

plus

 

Three courses chosen from Phys 2660

and/or 3000-level physics courses

Four courses chosen from Phys 2660

and/or 3000-level physics courses

 

 

For either option, one elective physics course can be replaced by a year of chemistry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


*Students choosing Option II who want more extensive preparation in basic physics and particularly those planning to take physics courses numbered 3150 and higher should replace Phys 2030, 2040 with the higher level laboratory sequence Phys 2630, 2640 to be taken after completing Phys 2310, 2320.

 

3000-level courses from which to select

Phys 3040

Physics of the Human Body

[3]

Phys 3110

Widely Applied Physics I

[4]

Phys 3120

Widely Applied Physics II

[4]

Phys 3150

Electronics

[3]

Phys 3170

Intermediate Lab I

[3]

Phys 3180

Intermediate Lab II

[3]

Phys 3190

Advanced Lab

[3]

Courses numbered 3210 and higher require

Math 3255 Differential Equations as prerequisite.

Phys 3210

Mechanics

[3]

Phys 3310

Statistical Physics

[3]

Phys 3420, 3430

Electricity and Magnetism I, II

[3,3]

Phys 3650, 3660

Quantum Mechanics I, II

[3,3]

Phys 3995

Independent Research

[3]

 



 

 

Summary of Requirements

for

BA-Distinguished Major and BS in Physics

 

Prerequisites

 

Option I

Option II

 

Math 1310, 1320

Calculus I, II

[4,4]

Math 1310, 1320

Calculus I, II

[4,4]

 

Phys 1610, 1610

Intro. Phys. I, II

[4,4]

 

 

 

 

Math 2310, 3255

Calc. III, Diff. Eqn.

[3,3]

Math 2310, 3255

Calc. III, Diff. Eqn.

[3]

 

Phys 2610, 2620

Intro. Phys. III, IV

[4,4]

Phys 2310, 2320

Class. Mod. Phys. I, II

[4,4]

 

Phys 2630, 2640

Elem. Lab. I, II

[3,3]

*Phys 2030, 2040

Intro. Lab. I, II

[1,1]

 

 

 

 

Phys 2620

Intro. Phys. IV

[4]

 

Required Courses

 

BA -Distinguished Major

BS

 

Phys 2660

Fund. Scientific Computing

[3]

Phys 2660

Fund. Scientific Computing

[3]

 

Phys 3170 or 3180

Intermediate Lab.

[3]

Phys 3170 or 3180

Intermediate Lab.

[3]

 

Phys 3210

Mechanics

[3]

Phys 3210

Mechanics

[3]

 

Phys 3420

Electricity  & Magnetism I

[3]

Phys 3420

Electricity  & Magnetism I

[3]

 

Phys 3310

Statistical  Physics

[3]

Phys 3310

Statistical Physics

[3]

 

Phys 3650, 3660

Quantum Physics I, II

[3, 3]

Phys 3650, 3660

Quantum Physics I, II

[3, 3]

 

Phys 3995

Independent Research

[3]

Phys 3995

Independent Research

[3]

 

Physics Elective**

[3]

Physics Elective**

[3]

 

 

 

 

Phys 3430

Electricity  & Magnetism II

[3]

 

 

 

 

Math 5210

Advanced Calculus

[3]

 

 

 

 

Math 5220

Partial Differential Equations

[3]

 

 

*For BA-DMP and BS programs, replacement of Phys 2030, 2040 with Phys 2630, 2640 is strongly recommended.

 

 

**To be chosen from any of the 3000-level or 5000-level physics courses.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Typical Course Sequences and Upper-level Course List

 

Information contained on the following pages shows:

 

 

A.

Examples of Course Sequences leading to the various degrees

 

 

 

BA - Basic Program

 

 

 

BA including Premedical Requirements via Phys 1610

 

 

 

BA including Premedical Requirements via Phys 2310

 

 

 

BA with Distinguished Major Course Sequence

 

 

 

BS in Physics

 

 

 

BA in Astronomy/Physics - Requirements and usual course sequence

 

 

 

B.

List of Upper Level Physics Courses

 



 

BA in Physics - Basic Program

Example Course Sequence for Option I

Fall

Spring

First Year

Math 1310

Calculus I

[4]

Math 1320

Calculus II

[4]

Phys 1610

Intro. Physics I

[4]

Phys 1620

Intro. Physics II

[4]

------------

 

 

------------

 

 

------------

 

 

------------

 

 

------------

 

 

------------

 

 

Second Year

Math 2310

Calculus III

[4]

Phys 2660

Fund. Scientific Computing

[3]

Phys 2610

Intro. Physics III

[4]

Phys 2620

Intro. Physics IV

[4]

------------

 

 

------------

 

 

------------

 

 

------------

 

 

------------

 

 

------------

 

 

Third Year

Phys 2630

Elem. Lab I

[3]

Phys 2640

Elem. Lab II

[3]

------------

 

 

------------

 

 

------------

 

 

------------

 

 

------------

 

 

------------

 

 

------------

 

 

------------

 

 

Fourth Year

Phys 3110

Widely Applied Physics I

[4]

Phys 3120

Widely Applied Physics  II

[4]

------------

 

 

------------

 

 

------------

 

 

------------

 

 

------------

 

 

------------

 

 

------------

 

 

------------

 

 

 

Note that this program can be started in the second year, and completed by moving Phys 2630, 2640 to the fourth year.

 

If Option II is chosen, the four-semester introductory sequence, Phys 1610, 1620, 2610, 2620 and Phys 2620, 2630 Elem. Lab is replaced by Phys 2310, 2320. 2620 and Phys 2030, 2040 Physics Lab taken in the second or third year as preparation for the upper level physics courses. Students choosing Option II who want more extensive preparation in basic physics and particularly those planning to take physics courses numbered 3150 and higher should replace Phys 2030, 2040 in Component 2 with the higher level laboratory sequence Phys 2630, 2640 to be taken after completing Phys 2310, 2320.

 

If Math 3255 is taken, any of the 3000-level physics courses can be chosen to complete the BA.

 



 

Physics BA - Premed I

Example Course Sequence for Option I including Premed Requirements

Fall

Spring

First Year

Math 1310

Calculus I

[4]

Math 1320

Calculus II

[4]

Chem 1410

Intro. Chem. I

[3]

Chem 1420

Intro. Chem. II

[3]

Chem 1411

Intro. Chem. Lab I

[2]

Chem 1421

Intro. Chem. Lab II

[2]

------------

 

 

------------

 

 

------------

 

 

------------

 

 

Second Year

Math 2310

Calculus III

[4]

------------

 

 

Phys 1610

Intro. Phys. I

[4]

Phys 1620

Intro. Phys II

[4]

Bio 2010

Intro. Bio. I

[3]

Bio 2020

Intro. Bio. II

[3]

Bio 2030

Intro. Bio. Lab. I

[2]

Bio 2040 

Intro. Bio. Lab. II

[2]

------------

 

 

-----------

 

 

Third Year

Phys 2610

Intro. Phys. III

[4]

Phys 2620

Intro. Phys. IV

[4]

Phys 2630

Elem. Lab. I

[3]

Phys 2640

Elem. Lab. II

[3]

Chem 2410

Organic Chem. I

[3]

Chem 2420

Organic Chem. II

[3]

Chem 2411

Organic Lab. I

[3]

Chem 2421

Organic Lab. II

[3]

Fourth Year

Phys 3110

Widely Applied Phys. I

[4]

Phys 3040

Phys. of the Human Body

[4]

------------

 

 

------------

 

 

------------

 

 

------------

 

 

------------

 

 

------------

 

 

------------

 

 

------------

 

 

 



 

Physics BA - Premed II

Example Course Sequence for Option II including Premed Requirements

Fall

Spring

First Year

Math 1310

Calculus I

[4]

Math 1320

Calculus II

[4]

Chem 1410

Intro. Chem. I

[3]

Chem 1420

Intro. Chem. II

[3]

Chem 1411

Intro. Chem. Lab I

[2]

Chem 1421

Intro. Chem. Lab II

[2]

------------

 

 

------------

 

 

------------

 

 

------------

 

 

Second Year

Math 2310

Calculus III

[4]

------------

 

 

Phys 2310

Physics I

[4]

Phys 2320

Physics II

[4]

Phys 2030

Physics Lab I

[1]

Phys 2040

Physics Lab. II

[1]

Bio 2010

Intro. Bio. I

[3]

Bio 2020

Intro. Bio. II

[3]

Bio 2030

Intro. Bio. Lab. I

[2]

Bio 2040

Intro. Bio. Lab. II

[2]

------------

 

 

-----------

 

 

Third Year

------------

 

 

Phys 2620

Intro. Phys. IV

[4]

Chem 2410

Organic Chem. I

[3]

Chem 2420

Elem. Lab. II

[3]

Chem 2411

Organic Lab. I

[3]

Chem 2421

Organic Lab. II

[3]

------------

 

 

------------

 

 

------------

 

 

------------

 

 

Fourth Year

Phys 3110

Widely Applied Phys. I

[4]

Phys 3120

Widely Applied Phys. II

[4]

------------

 

 

Phys 3040

Phys. Human Body

[3]

------------

 

 

------------

 

 

------------

 

 

------------

 

 

------------

 

 

------------

 

 

 

            Students choosing Option II who want more extensive preparation in basic physics and particularly those planning to take physics courses numbered 3150 and higher should replace Phys 2030, 2040 in component (2) with the higher level laboratory sequence Phys 2630, 2640 to be taken after completing Phys 2310, 2320.

 



 

BA in Physics:  Distinguished Major

Usual Course Sequence

Fall

Spring

First Year

Math 1310

Calculus I

[4]

Math 1320

Calculus II

[4]

Phys 1610

Intro. Phys. I

[3]

Phys 1620

Intro. Phys. II

[4]

------------

 

 

Phys 2660

Fund. Scien. Computing

[3]

------------

 

 

------------

 

 

------------

 

 

------------

 

 

Second Year

Math 2310

Calculus III

[4]

Math 3255

Differential  Eqn

[4]

Phys 2610

Intro. Phys. III

[4]

Phys 2620

Intro. Phys. IV

[4]

Phys 2630

Elem. Lab. I

[3]

Phys 2640

Elem. Lab II

[3]

------------

 

 

------------

 

 

------------

 

 

-----------

 

 

Third Year

Phys 3210

Mechanics

[3]

Phys 3420

Electricity & Magnetism I

[3]

Phys 3650

Quantum Physics I

[3]

Phys 3660

Quantum Physics  II

[3]

------------

 

 

------------

 

 

------------

 

 

------------

 

 

------------

 

 

------------

 

 

Fourth Year

Phys 3310

Statistical Physics

[3]

Phys 3995

Independent Research

[3]

Phys 3170

Intermediate Lab

[3]

3000-5000 level Physics elective

[3]

------------

 

 

------------

 

 

------------

 

 

------------

 

 

 

Although the four semester introductory sequence, Phys 1610, 1620, 2610, 2620, is recommended, it can be replaced by Phys 2310, 2320 taken in the second year as preparation for the upper level physics courses.

 



 

BS in Physics

Usual Course Sequence

Fall

Spring

First Year

Math 1310

Calculus I

[4]

Math 1320

Calculus II

[4]

Phys 1610

Intro. Phys. I

[3]

Phys 1620

Intro. Phys. II

[4]

------------

 

 

Phys 2660

Fund. Scien. Computing

[3]

------------

 

 

------------

 

 

------------

 

 

------------

 

 

Second Year

Math 2310

Calculus III

[4]

Math 3255

Differential  Eqn

[4]

Phys 2610

Intro. Phys. III

[4]

Phys 2620

Intro. Phys. IV

[4]

Phys 2630

Elem. Lab. I

[3]

Phys 2640

Elem. Lab II

[3]

------------

 

 

------------

 

 

------------

 

 

-----------

 

 

Third Year

Math 5210

Advanced Calculus

[3]

Math 5220

Partial  Diff. Eqn.

[3]

Phys 3210

Mechanics

[3]

Phys 3420

Electricity & Magnetism I

[3]

Phys 3650

Quantum Physics I

[3]

Phys 3660

Quantum Physics  II

[3]

------------

 

 

------------

 

 

------------

 

 

------------

 

 

Fourth Year

Phys 3170

Intermediate Lab

[3]

Phys 3995

Independent Research

 [3]

Phys 3430

Electricity & Magnetism II

[3]

3000-5000 level Physics elective

 

Phys 3310

Statistical Physics

[3]

------------

 

 

------------

 

 

------------

 

 

------------

 

 

------------

 

 

 

Although the four-semester introductory sequence, Phys 1610, 1620, 2610, 2620, is strongly recommended, it can be replaced by Phys 2310, 2320 taken in the second year as preparation for the upper level physics courses. Students choosing this option should meet with a physics major advisor to work out a schedule including Phys 2620, the introductory labs and the upper level courses.

 

 



 

BA Astronomy/Physics

Usual Course Sequence

Fall

Spring

First Year

Math 1310

Calculus I

[4]

Math 1320

Calculus II

[4]

Phys 1610

Intro. Phys. I

[3]

Phys 1620

Intro. Phys. II

[4]

Language 1010

 

[4]

Language 1020

 

[4]

*ENWR 1505

 

[3]

Phys 2660

Fund. Scien. Computing

[3]

**Elective

 

 

**Elective

 

 

Second Year

+Astro 2110

Gen. Astro. I

[3]

+Astro 2120

Gen. Astro. II

[3]

Math 2310

Calculus III

[4]

Math 3255

Differential  Eqn

[4]

Phys 2610

Intro. Phys. III

[4]

Phys 2620

Intro. Phys. IV

[4]

Phys 2630

Elem. Lab. I

[3]

Phys 2640

Elem. Lab II

[3]

Language 2010

 

[3]

Language 2020

 

[3]

Third Year

Astro 3130

Obser. Astro.

[3]

Astro 4993

Tutorial

[3]

Phys 3210

Mechanics

[3]

Phys 3420

Electricity & Magnetism I

[3]

Phys 3650

Quantum Physics I

[3]

Math 5220

Partial  Diff. Eqn.

[3]

Math 5210

Advanced Calculus

[3]

**Electives

 

 

**Elective

 

 

 

 

 

Fourth Year

3000-5000 level Astro elective

[3]

Astro 4810

Intro. Astrophys.

[3]

Phys 3310

Statistical Physics

[3]

(or 3000-5000 level Astro)

 

Phys 3430

Electricity & Magnetism II

[3]

Astro 4998

Thesis

[3]

Electives

 

 

Electives

 

 

 

*Unless excused.

**The electives in the first three years should be chosen to meet the general BA degree requirements for the College of Arts and Sciences.

+May be taken in first year with permission of instructor.

 

Distinguished Major

 

To qualify for a distinguished major in Astronomy/Physics:

 

a) take

1)  Astro 4998 (senior thesis) for two semesters

 

 

2)  Astro 4810 (Intro. to Astrophys.) as 4th year elective

 

 

3)   One graduate-level (5000 or above) astronomy course as 4th year elective

 

 

4)   Phys 3660 (Quantum Phys II)

 

b) maintain a GPA above 3.4 (Distinction), above 3.6(High Distinction), above 3.8 (Highest Distinction).

 



 

Upper Level Physics Courses

 

Phys 3040

Physics of the Human Body

[3]

Phys 3110, 3120

Widely Applied Physics I, II

[4,4]

Phys 3150

Electronics

[3]

Phys 3170, 3180

Intermediate Lab

[3,3]

Phys 3190

Advanced Lab

[3]

Phys 3210

Mechanics

[3]

Phys 3310

Statistical Physics

[3]

Phys 3420, 3430

Electricity and Magnetism I, II

[3,3]

Phys 3650, 3660

Quantum Theory I, II

[3,3]

Phys 3810, 3820

Topics in Physics Related Research Areas

[3,3]

Phys 3995

Independent Research

[3]

Phys 5190

Electronics

[3]

Phys 5210

Mechanics

[3]

Phys 5240

Introduction to General Relativity

[3]

Phys 5310

Optics

[3]

Phys 5320

Fundamentals of Photonics

[3]

Phys 5110, 5120

Selected Topics in Classical and Modern Physics

[3,3]

Phys 5630

Computational Physics I

[3]

Phys 5640

Computational Physics II

[3]

Phys 5620

Introduction to Solid State Physics

[3]

Phys 5720

Introduction to Subatomic Physics

[3]

Phys 5820

Introduction to Nanophysics

[3]