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Bulletins

Physics Minor (Non-Teaching), B.S., B.A.

Admission Requirements, Retention & Termination Standards

Several MTH courses are required as prerequisites for the physics courses listed below. Prospective majors are urged to begin their study of mathematics in the fall of the freshman year with MTH 132 (or MTH 130, if necessary), and to consult with a departmental advisor as soon as possible for help in scheduling additional MTH courses.

No more than 5 semester hours of credit taken on a credit/no credit basis may be counted toward the physics major or minor. Since the department permits credit/no credit registration only for beginning physics courses, the restriction refers specifically to PHY 145QR and PHY 175.

Although not recommended, the following course substitutions can be allowed for a student who successfully completes PHY 247: 

Transfer students from two-year colleges can complete a major in physics in two additional years if they have satisfactorily completed a one-year course in calculus and a one year course in general physics (preferably utilizing calculus). Transfer students should consult the chairperson of this department at their earliest opportunity, and in any case, prior to initial registration.

Program Requirements

Required Courses (22 hours)

PHY 145QRUniversity Physics I

4(4-0)

PHY 146University Physics II

4(4-0)

PHY 175University Physics Laboratory I

1(0-2)

PHY 176University Physics Laboratory II

1(0-2)

PHY 247QRIntroduction to Modern Physics

4(4-0)

PHY 277Modern Physics: Experimental Methods and Data Analysis

2(1-3)

PHY 322Intermediate Mechanics

3(3-0)

PHY 332Electricity and Magnetism

3(3-0)

Notes:

  •  Cognate courses below are prerequisites or pre/co-requisites for some Required Courses.
  •  PHY 145QR counts toward UP Group II-B.
 

Cognate Courses I: Mathematics Prerequisites (12 hours)

MTH 132Calculus I

4(4-0)

MTH 133Calculus II

4(4-0)

MTH 233Calculus III

4(4-0)

Notes:

  • One of MTH 232 or MTH 223 is a pre/co-requisite for MTH 233.
  • MTH 132 satisfies Mathematics Competency and UP Group II-B.
  • MTH 132 and MTH 133 are required for other majors within the College of Science and Engineering and may be double counted.
 

Cognate Courses II: Mathematics Prerequisites (3-6 hours)

Select one of the following options:

Option A (6 hours)

MTH 223Linear Algebra and Matrix Theory

3(3-0)

MTH 334Differential Equations

3(3-0)

Option B (3 hours)

MTH 232Linear Algebra and Differential Equations

3(3-0)

Note: MTH 232 and MTH 334 are required for some majors and other minors within the College of Science and Engineering and may be double counted.

Cognate Courses III: Computer Science (3 hours)

CPS 190Introduction to Programming in Python

3(3-0)

Note: CPS 190 satisfies UP II-B and may be double counted with other majors or minors that require it.

Total: 40-43 semester hours