Physics, BS

PNW General Education Core (32 Credits Minimum)

• English Composition (6 Credits): Select two courses from the English Composition Core list  
• Speech Communication (3 Credits): Select from the Speech Communication Core list  
• Quantitative Reasoning (5 Credits): MA 16300 - Integrated Calculus Analysis Geometry I  
• Natural Sciences (8 Credits): PHYS 15200 - Mechanics  and CHM 11500 - General Chemistry  
• Technology (3 Credits): CS 12300 - Programming I: Java  (Also allowed: ENGR 15100 - Software Tools For Engineers  or CIS 16600 - Introduction To Programming )
• Humanities (3 Credits): Select from the Humanities Core list  
• Social Sciences (3 Credits): Select from the Social Sciences Core list  
• First-Year Experience (FYE) (1 Credit): PHYS 19400 - Freshman Physics Orientation  

Major Core (54 Credits)

• CHM 11600 - General Chemistry
• CS 12400 - Programming II: C++ - Also allowed: ECE 15200 , CIS 26300 , CIS 26600 , or CNIT 26700 
• MA 16400 - Integrated Calculus Analysis Geometry II
• MA 26100 - Multivariate Calculus
• MA 26400 - Differential Equations
• MA 26500 - Linear Algebra
• PHYS 25100 - Heat, Electricity And Optics
• PHYS 29400 - Sophomore Physics Seminar
• PHYS 31000 - Intermediate Mechanics
• PHYS 31100 - Quantum Physics I
• PHYS 33000 - Intermediate Electricity And Magnetism
• PHYS 34200 - Modern Physics
• PHYS 34300 - Modern Physics Laboratory
• PHYS 38000 - Advanced Physics Laboratory
• PHYS 40200 - Senior Research I
• PHYS 40300 - Senior Research II
• PHYS 41800 - Thermal And Statistical Physics
• PHYS 49400 - Junior-Senior Physics Seminar

Other Required Courses (34 Credits)

CES Electives (9 Credits): ASTR (any course), BIOL (any course excluding BIOL 10008 , BIOL 10700 ), CHM (any course excluding CHM 10000 , CHM 10300  , CHM 10600 , CHM 11100 , CHM 11200 , CHM 19400 ), CE (any course), CS (any course excluding CS 10000 ), EAS (any course), ECE (any course), ENGR (any course excluding ENGR 18600 ), FIS (any course 20000 or higher), MSE (any course), MA (any course 30000 or higher), ME (any course), PHYS (any course 30000 or higher), SCI (any course excluding SCI 10300 , SCI 10400 , SCI 10500 , SCI 11200 , SCI 11300 , SCI 11400 , SCI 20200  and SCI 31500 ), and STAT (any course 30000 or higher)

Physics Electives (15 Credits): Choose from Physics or Astronomy courses 30000 level or above

Free Electives (10 Credits)

Requirements

Minimum Grade and Grade Point Average (GPA):  Minimum grade of C- required for all College of Engineering and Sciences courses; 2.0 GPA

Experiential Learning (EL):  One EL course required.  EL courses are noted by (e) next to the course title.

General Education Core:  General Education notations can be found within the course description.  Please click on a course to see if it meets a Gen Ed requirement.

Milestone Courses noted by (m) next to the course title have been identified as being critical to your success in this field of study. 

Courses that are only offered on one campus will be noted by an (H) for Hammond, or (W) for Westville.

Please see the Additional Information and Guidelines section below for more information.

Additional Information and Guidelines

Upper division physics courses are offered on a two year rotation. Contact an advisor to determine the specific semester a particular course will be offered.  Certain courses may only be available at one campus location.

Any individual course within CES must be a C- or better, but the average GPA for all disciplinary courses (ASTR, CHM or PHYS courses) must be at least 2.50.

At least 6 credit hours of PHYS, CES, or Free Electives must be 30000 level or higher.

Note 1: CES Elective: ASTR (any course); BIOL (any course excluding 10008, 10700); CHM (any course excluding 10000, 10300, 10600, 11100, 11200, 19400); CE (any course); CS (any course excluding 10000); EAS (any course): ECE (any course): ENGR (any course excluding 18600); MSE (any course); MA (any course 30000 or higher); ME (any course); PHYS (any course 30000 or higher); SCI (any course excluding 10300, 10400, 10500, 11200, 11300, 11400, 20200, and 31500); FIS (any course 20000 or higher);  and STAT (any course 30000 or higher).

Note 2: CES Elective – Secondary Education Attribute: Also allowed with permission are EDCI 30900, 34600, 35500, or 36600.

Note 3: PHYS Elective – Choose from PHYS or ASTR courses 30000 or higher.

Note 4: PHYS Elective – Pre-health Attribute: Also allowed with permission are BIOL 10100, 10200, and any other 4 credit hour Biology class. PHYS Elective – Secondary Education Attribute: Also allowed with permission is EDCI 49700.