Program Information

Majors

We offer 10 different majors and minors. Click here to find out more about each major and its requirements. 

Not sure which major to choose? Check out this flowchart to help you decide (link to our major flowchart).

Flowcharts

Signing up for classes and not sure where to start? Check out these flowcharts for each Physics & Astronomy major:

The Physics degree provides a solid grounding in physics as needed for contemporary applications of physics or further study of physics or astronomy. This is the degree students should pursue if they desire to continue with graduate study in physics, or if they desire to work in a research environment requiring a broad-based education in physics with significant depth in the principal subfields. This degree is also appropriate for those who want a solid foundation in a research science before pursuing professional study in business, law, medicine, or other areas. BS Physics Flowchart
The Physics and Astronomy degree provides a solid grounding in physics with an emphasis in astronomy. It is a strong physics degree which prepares students for graduate study in astronomy or astrophysics. It also provides a good background for graduate study in physics or for professional study in business, law, medicine, or other areas, while satisfying a strong undergraduate interest in astronomy.

The Applied Physics degree provides the basics of the discipline of physics while leaving great flexibility in the schedule for particular student interests in applied areas. It includes a student-selected, advisor-approved set of elective courses, 12 credit hours, that may be taken inside or outside the Department of Physics and Astronomy, tailored to individual student interests in applied physics. It is an excellent degree for those who may continue study in law, business or medicine, computer/information technology or in an engineering or another science area after the BS. It is also appropriate for those who wish to work in a science or technical area at the BS level in industry or government. It is also an attractive degree for those undergraduates who have a clear vision of individual educational goals in physics and wish to take advantage of the flexibility in this program. These 12 hours must consist of a coherent set of courses with an identified educational goal. Up to three of the 12 hours can be from 200-level classes, the remaining hours must be upper division (300-level or above).

You have a great deal of flexibility when choosing your elective emphases: technology, business, life sciences, pre-professional, etc. To get your 12 hours of electives approved, meet with your faculty advisor to get his/her approval; then have your advisor send the approved list to the Physics Department Undergraduate Committee Chair for departmental approval. Here are a few possible areas of emphasis; for many examples of actual tracks which have been approved in recent years see the Applied Physics page.

  • Acoustics: Phscs 461, 560, and 561; and choices from Ec En 301, 380, 487; Me En 250, 312, 335, 531, 535; TMA 265.
  • Aerospace Engineering: choices from CE En 203, Me En 312, Me En 340, Me En 415, Me En 422, Me En 426
  • Biophysics:biochemistry, PDBio 568
  • Business: courses to prepare to work in a high-tech business or for MBA school.
  • Computer Science/Computer Engineering: CS 235, 236, or 240; and other courses in computer programming, information technology, networks, numerical analysis (math), computer engineering that fit your career goals.
  • Electrical Engineering (graduate school preparation): EC En 320, 324, 380 and 400 level courses
  • Law (especially patent law): courses to broaden technical background in one or more areas, prepare for law school
  • Linguistics: Phscs 461; Ling 310, 440; COMD 421
  • Materials Science (graduate school preparation): choices from Phscs 360, 451, 452, 581; Me En 250, 321
  • Medicine (including Medical Physics): Courses required to prepare for these professional schools.
  • Microelectronics/Semiconductor Devices: Chem 105, Ch En 381, Phscs281 or 581, EC En 450 or Phscs 587, Stat 361.
  • Neuroscience: Neuro 205, 360, 380, 480, 481
  • Nuclear Physics (power generation for industry or Navy): Phscs 360, 451, 452, Me En 422.
  • Optical Communication Engineering: Phscs 471, 571, EC En 380, 555,562.
  • Optical/Laser Engineering: Phscs 442, 471, and/or 571, EC En 466, 555, and/or 562.
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Classes