300 College of Science Physics (BS) Program Prerequisite: Not required. Minor: No minor is required. However, a math minor is automatically satisfied by the requirements. Grade Requirements: An overall GPA of 2.00 is required. Also refer to the general grade requirements for graduation on Degree and General Education Requirements. Credit Hour Requirements: A total of 120 semester credit hours is required for graduation; 75 to 82 of these (depending on the option chosen) are required within the Physics major. Forty upper-division credit hours are required (courses numbered 3000 and above); 30 to 34 of these (depending on the option chosen) are required within the Physics major. Advisement All Physics majors are strongly encouraged to meet with the chair at least annually for course and program advisement. Call 801-626-6163 for more information or to schedule an appointment. Note that because most courses have prerequisites and some advanced courses are offered only in alternate years, careful planning is essential. Admissions Requirements Declare your program of study (see Enrollment Services and Information). There are no special admission or application requirements for the Physics major. General Education Refer to Degree and General Education Requirements for Bachelor of Science requirements. The following courses required for the Physics major will satisfy general education requirements: PHYS 2210 and MATH 1210. Physics Major Course Requirements for BS Degree Physics Courses Required (23 credit hours) • PHYS 2210 PS - Physics for Scientists and Engineers I (5) and • PHYS 2220 - Physics for Scientists and Engineers II (5) • PHYS 2300 - Scientific Computing for Physical Systems (3) • PHYS 2710 - Introductory Modern Physics (3) • PHYS 3500 - Analytical Mechanics (3) • PHYS 3510 - Electromagnetic Theory (3) • PHYS 4990 - Seminar in Physics (l) Physics Electives (3 credit hours) Select a minimum of three additional credit hours from Physics courses numbered 3000 and above. Courses in closely related disciplines may also satisfy this requirement when appropriate to the option chosen (see below). In all cases, elective courses must be approved by the department chair. Support Courses Required (22 credit hours) • MATH 1200 - Mathematics Computer Laboratory (l) • MATH 1210 - Calculus I (4) • MATH 1220 - Calculus II (4) • MATH 2210 - Calculus III (4) • MATH 2270 - Elementary Linear Algebra (3) • MATH 2280 - Ordinary Differential Equations (3) • MATH 3710 - Boundary Value Problems (3) OPTIONS Physics Majors must also satisfy the requirements of at least one of the following four options. 1. Traditional option. By including all of the core courses in theoretical physics, this option provides a strong foundation for graduate study in physics. Additional Physics Courses Required (17 or 18 credit hours) • PHYS 3180 - Thermal Physics (3) • PHYS 3190 - Applied Optics (3) or • PHYS 3410 - Electronics for Scientists (4) • PHYS 3540 - Mechanical and Electromagnetic Waves (3) • PHYS 3710 - Nuclear and Particle Physics (3) • PHYS 4400 - Advanced Physics Laboratory (2) • PHYS 4610 - Quantum Mechanics (3) Additional Support Courses Required (10 credit hours) • CHEM 1210 PS - Principles of Chemistry I (5) and • CHEM 1220 - Principles of Chemistry II (5) 2. Physics of Materials option. This option is intended for students who have an interest in the properties of materials and their study using advanced ins tru m en ta tio n. Additional Physics Courses Required (18 credit hours) • PHYS 3180 - Thermal Physics (3) • PHYS 3410 - Electronics for Scientists (4) • PHYS 3540 - Mechanical and Electromagnetic Waves (3) • PHYS 4200 - The Physics of Materials (3) • PHYS 4410 - Materials Characterization Laboratory (2) • PHYS 4610 - Quantum Mechanics (3) Additional Support Courses Required (10 credit hours) • CHEM 1210 PS - Principles of Chemistry I (5) and • CHEM 1220 - Principles of Chemistry II (5) 3. Astrophysics option. Supplementing a traditional physics program with several astronomy and astrophysics courses, this option is intended for students with a special interest in astronomy, including those intending to pursue graduate study in astrophysics. Weber State University 2012-2013 Catalog