Undergraduate Program

The basic courses PHYC 160, 160L, 161, 161L, 262, 262L and MATH 162, 163 and 264 are prerequisite to all 300-level and higher physics and astronomy courses, and are required prerequisites for major and minor study in physics and in astrophysics for either the B.S. or the B.A. degree. For the B.S. in astrophysics, ASTR 270, 270L, 271 and 271L are also required.

Major Study Requirements

First year students planning to major or minor in physics or astrophysics, if they have the necessary mathematics, usually take PHYC 160, 160L and MATH 162 in their first semester, and PHYC 161, 161L and MATH 163 in their second semester. There is some flexibility in these prerequisites.

For admission to any degree program in the department, within the College of Arts and Sciences, in any given semester, it is required that the student have registered for PHYC 160, or a more advanced physics course.

Academic advisement is required each semester for students majoring in physics or astrophysics. Students in University College with an area of interest or a definite major in mind in this department should meet with a departmental advisor as soon as possible, to ensure that they obtain current curriculum and admissions policies as well as specific advice on how to meet the requirements for admission.

Students are not allowed to receive credit for both PHYC 151 and 160, nor for both PHYC 152 and 161.

The B.S. degrees are designed as a beginning and foundation for students planning to continue their studies in graduate school and are, therefore, preparatory to professional training in physics or astrophysics.

The B.A. degree is designed for people interested in physics, astrophysics and science in general who are not seeking a career in scientific research. Rather, these students should use the flexibility within the program to choose minors or an additional major in other areas, such as management, education, communications, journalism, economics, history, political science, etc.

For the degree of B.S. in Physics: PHYC 290, 301, 303, 304, 307L, 308L, 330, 405, 406, 491, 492, 493L; and one 3-hour Physics course numbered above 300. PHYC 451 and 452 cannot be substituted for the 3-hour elective course numbered above 300.
Required supportive courses: MATH 311, 312, 316, 321; CHEM 121,123L and 122,124L

For the degree of B.S. in Physics with a concentration in Optics: For the degree of B.S. in Physics with a concentration in Optics: PHYC 290, 301, 302, 303, 304, 307L, 330, 405, 406. Optics elective number 1: must be chosen as one of PHYC 463, 464, ASTR 426, or ECE 475. Optics elective number 2: must be chosen as one of PHYC 430, 477L, 493L, or 554. In addition, these two electives must be chosen in such a way that one of the Optics electives is either PHYC 430 or ECE 475. Science/Engineering/Math elective number 1: must be at the 200 level or above; Science/Engineering/Math elective number 2: must be at the 300 level or above.
Required supportive courses: MATH 311, 312, 316, 321; CHEM 121,123L, 122,124L

For the degree of B.S. in Astrophysics: ASTR 421, 422; PHYC 290, 301, 303, 304, 330, 405, and either 406 or 491; 6 hours of Astronomy courses numbered above 399 except for 455.
Required supportive courses: MATH 311, 312, 316.

For the degree of B.A. in Physics and Astrophysics: ASTR 271; PHYC 290; PHYC 330; two courses chosen from PHYC 303, 307L or 405; three additional 3-hour, upper-level courses in Physics or Astronomy, one of which must be in Astronomy, except for any one of the following problems courses: ASTR 455, PHYC 451, 452.
Required supportive courses: MATH 311, 316.

Departmental Honors

The Departmental Honors Program is designed to provide additional depth to the student’s knowledge in a special area of contemporary physics, and to ground that knowledge in their understanding of the world around them. As the standard undergraduate curriculum is rather tightly defined and scheduled, the Honors Program allows each Honors Student the opportunity to be directly involved in the choice of an addition to his/her educational program. In addition, the program offers the student the opportunity to work closely with one or two professors.

During each of the last two semesters of the student’s undergraduate program, and upon selecting an original research topic that is accepted by the faculty mentor, the student should register for the 1 credit hour honors course, ASTR/PHYC 456. This registration requires the prior approval of the faculty mentor in question. As an honors award is of a departmental nature, the student and mentor should submit an initial proposal outlining the intended work as early as possible, and certainly before the end of the fourth week of the semester in which the work is begun. The proposal is submitted to the department’s Undergraduate Committee for initial approval.

Successful completion will be demonstrated by a final, formal, written paper as well as an oral presentation by the student. Approval of the presentation as achieving the level and standard intended for Honors work will be made by a subcommittee of the Undergraduate Committee, thereby providing some uniformity for the department. Finally, the student’s overall grade point average must be 3.25 or greater at the time of graduation.

Minor Study Requirements

Physics

The two courses PHYC 290, MATH 316; three courses chosen from PHYC 301, 302, 302L or 307L, 303, 304, 330, 405, 406.

Astrophysics

The four courses ASTR 271, PHYC 290, 330, MATH 316; one course chosen from PHYC 301, 302, 302L or 307L, 303, 405; 3 hours of Astronomy courses numbered above 399.

Keys and Symbols Reference