Non-Physics Electives and General Education Requirements
The courses listed below constitute the required Kernel for all physics majors. Sample programs of study are shown in the next section which illustrate how these courses can be integrated with General Education requirements and Physics Electives to make a four-year degree program.
I. Lower Division Courses
Physics
Non-Physics
II. Upper Division Courses*
Physics
Non-Physics
Any waivers or substitutions for these requirements must be approved by the Undergraduate Coordinator.
*Upon completion of the Lower Division courses (Freshman and Sophomore Level) the students’ records will be reviewed by a committee of at least three faculty members. A recommendation will be made to proceed to Upper Division courses (Junior and Senior Level) or to take remedial courses or repeat courses as deemed necessary to prepare the student for the Upper Division courses. A revised program will be formulated for each student requiring remedial work which may extend his/her program by one or more semesters. In appropriate cases the student will be advised to change major. The student attains the status of physics baccalaureate degree candidate when admitted to the Upper Division.
Non-Physics Electives and General Education Requirements
In addition to the Kernel Program in Physics, courses to satisfy the General Education requirement and the physics elective requirement must be chosen from among all of the course offerings of the University subject to the following conditions:
1. All elective courses must be approved by the student’s faculty advisor.
2. General Education Guidelines (36-38 credits)
Students must conform to the General Education guidelines as outlined elsewhere in this document. These include:
3. Technical electives required by the major
At least 13 credits (of which six must be from the Physics Electives list) in technical elective courses must be taken in a specialty field. These electives may include courses outside the department. Elect - Magn II (3) [95.354] is strongly recommended for students intending to pursue a graduate degree in physics, as well as Introductory Quantum Mechanics I and II (3,3) [95.435/436]. Experimental Analysis for Physicists (1) [95.191] is required for students who have not taken 96.161 and 96.164 and have an insufficient background in experimental error analysis.
If the Optics Option is chosen, then included in the Physics Electives the student must take the courses listed below.
Successful completion of the Optics option will be certified by the Department on the student’s transcript provided an official declaration form is filed at the end of the lower division program. See Physics Electives list for additional courses in optics.
1. General Physics - Upper Division (all but 95.191)
Note: *Courses that are strongly recommended for students intending to pursue a graduate degree in physics.
**Experimental Analysis for Physics Majors (1) [95.191] is required for students who have not taken 96.161 and do not have a background in experimental error analysis and technical report writing
2. Optics - Upper Division
***supervisor needed before registering
3. Radiological Health Physics
Upper Division
Gen Ed Elect - general education elective
Physics Elect - physics elective - upper division
Special Elect - specialty elective (specialization)
Elective - free elective
View the complete course of study (pdf)
