A physics degree opens up a rich diversity of options to the graduating student. Approximately one-half of physics graduates go on to graduate school. Those not going on to graduate school enter employment in physics or such related fields as electronics, computers, or engineering, or as teachers.
Students must achieve a grade-point average of at least 2.0 in physics and mathematics courses. When a course has an associated laboratory, the student must take both the lecture course and the laboratory concurrently, unless prior permission has been obtained from the department chair. Students should be aware that certain 300- and 400-level courses may be offered only in alternate years.
Students seeking teacher certification in physics must complete the requirements for the major in physics as well as satisfying other requirements for certification. For details regarding secondary school physics teaching, students should consult the Institute for Effective Education.
The requirements for the first two years of both tracks are almost identical to those of the engineering transfer program (005), giving the student two options during the first two years. The required courses are:
First Year
First Semester
50:640:121 Unified Calculus I (4)
50:750:131 Elements of Physics I (3)
50:750:133 Introductory Physics Laboratory I (1)
Second Semester
50:198:105 Introduction to Matlab (3)*
50:640:122 Unified Calculus II (4)
50:750:132 Elements of Physics II (3)
50:750:134 Introductory Physics Laboratory II (1)
*In lieu of 50:198:105 students may take both 50:198:111 Programming Fundamentals (R) (3) AND 50:198:112 Software Laboratory I (R) (1)
Sophomore Year
First Semester
50:160:115 Chemical Principles I (3)
50:160:125 Chemical Principles Laboratory I (1)
50:640:221 Unified Calculus III (4)
50:750:233 Electric Circuits I (3)
50:750:253 Mechanics I (3)*
Second Semester
50:160:116 Chemical Principles II (3)
50:160:126 Chemical Principles Laboratory II (1)
50:750:232 Elements of Modern Physics (3)
50:750:238 Modern Physics Laboratory (1)
50:640:314 Elementary Differential Equations (3)
Students planning to attend graduate school in physics should take 50:640:250 Linear Algebra.
