For students in the College of Arts and Sciences, the Department of Physics and Astronomy offers majors in physics (B.A. or B.S.); preparation for advanced training for students planning to pursue graduate study in physics or astronomy; applied physics; and premeteorology. 

• 54 quarter hours of physics, including

PHYS 210	Physics Seminar	1 credit hour
PHYS 251, 252, 253	General Physics	15
PHYS 254	Contemporary Physics	4
PHYS 272, 273	Electronics Lab	4
PHYS 311, 312	Mechanics	8
PHYS 371, 372, 373	Intermediate Labs	6
PHYS 411	Thermodynamics	4
PHYS 427, 428	Electricity and Magnetism	8
PHYS 451	Quantum Mechanics	4

• The following mathematics courses

MATH 263A, B, C, D	Calculus	16 credit hours
MATH 340	Differential Equations	4
MATH 440	Vector Analysis	4
MATH 441	Fourier Analysis and Partial Differential Equations	4

• 12 quarter hours in PHYS, ASTRO, or MATH above 300 level, in CHEM above 150 level, or in BIOS above 200 level.

PHYS 210	Physics Seminar	1 credit hour
PHYS 251, 252, 253	General Physics	15
PHYS 254	Contemporary Physics	4

The degree is recommended if you want a general education with an emphasis on physics; have plans for further education or employment in a interdisciplinary area; or desire a dual major in physics and chemistry, biological sciences, geological sciences, etc.

You can meet the requirements for teaching high school physics by completing the physics major program listed in the College of Education section.

The minor in astronomy is an option for non-physics majors who wish to study astronomy as a special  interest.  (Physics majors who are interested in astronomy should enroll in physics pre-astronomy program.)  Students in mathematics, chemistry, engineering, and other fields of study will find a significant science overlap with their major areas of interest.

The astronomy minor consists of a set of required courses--PHYS 251 and 252, PHYS 253 or EE 321, PHYS 351 or 254, and ASTR 305--and at least 12 hours from ASTR 310, 401, 402, 403, 410, and 450.

The minor in physics consists of 30 hours with 10 hours at or above the 300 level.

This four-year program leads to a B.S. in physics and allows an emphasis in experimental techniques together from specific engineering or other applied sciences.  It provides the opportunity for a broad basic education in areas fundamental to present technology and is aimed at preparing you for many physics career opportunities in industry and government laboratories.

The sequence of courses will vary depending on your interests.  Basic requirements in natural sciences, physics, and mathematics will be equivalent to those of the regular B.S. in physics but may be set in engineering or other applied science courses.  The elected sequence of interest could be toward a specific area of interest within an engineering college, e.g. Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, etc. or over a broad area of interest e.g. materials science, which comes from several colleges.

The advantage of preparing for applied science through the fundamental physics program is the acquisition of the abilities for continued development of technology from fundamental physics principles.

This challenging program offers a solid foundation in physics along with specialized study for students interested in pursuing advanced degrees in astronomy or astrophysics.  Required and recommended courses are listed below by the year in which they are taken by most students.  The order is not fixed, but check the course listing for prerequisite requirements.  Consult the department chair and pre-astronomy major advisor during your freshman year for help in planning your program.

Freshman