Physics - Graduate School Emphasis Requirements (BA/BS)
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Major Requirements - 40 units 1, 2, 3 | ||
| PHYSCS 180 | PHYSICS FOR SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS I | 5 |
| PHYSCS 181 | PHYSICS FOR SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS II | 5 |
| PHYSCS 190 | FRONTIERS OF ENGINEERING AND PHYSICS | 1 |
| PHYSCS 221 | INTERMEDIATE LABORATORY | 2 |
| PHYSCS 310 | MECHANICS - DYNAMICS | 3 |
| PHYSCS 324 | METHODS OF THEORETICAL PHYSICS | 4 |
| PHYSCS 325 | CLASSICAL ELECTROMAGNETISM | 3 |
| PHYSCS 344 | MODERN PHYSICS | 4 |
| PHYSCS 364 | THERMAL PHYSICS | 3 |
| PHYSCS 389 | JUNIOR SEMINAR | 1 |
| PHYSCS 424 | VIBRATIONS AND WAVES | 3 |
| PHYSCS 425 | QUANTUM MECHANICS | 3 |
| PHYSCS 489 | SENIOR SEMINAR | 1 |
| Select the remaining units from Physics numbered 300 or 400 4 | 2 | |
| Total Units | 40 | |
- 1
This major is required for students intending to attend graduate school.
- 2
Department Exit Interview is required.
- 3
An approved minor is required for this major.
- 4
No more than 3 units from courses PHYSCS 490 thru PHYSCS 499
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Unique Requirement - 23 units | ||
| CHEM 102 | GENERAL CHEMISTRY I | 5 |
| CHEM 104 | GENERAL CHEMISTRY II | 5 |
| COMPSCI 170 | INTRODUCTION TO PYTHON PROGRAMMING | 3 |
| or COMPSCI 174 | INTRODUCTION TO C++ | |
| MATH 255 | CALCULUS AND ANALYTIC GEOMETRY III | 4 |
| MATH 355 | MATRICES AND LINEAR ALGEBRA | 3 |
| MATH 361 | DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS | 3 |
| Total Units | 23 | |
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Writing Requirement - 3 units | ||
| PWP 371 | WRITING IN THE SCIENCES | 3 |
| or ENGLISH 370 | ADVANCED COMPOSITION | |
| Total Units | 3 | |
Four-Year Plan: This four-year plan outlines a suggested curricular path for new students aiming to earn a degree within in four years. Please note that this plan represents just one of many paths to degree completion.
Physics: Graduate School Emphasis - BS
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Units | Spring | Units |
| PHYSCS 180 (F) | 5 | PHYSCS 181 (S) | 5 |
| PHYSCS 190 (F) | 1 | MATH 254 | 4 |
| MATH 253 | 5 | ENGLISH 102 | 3 |
| ENGLISH 101 | 3 | CORE 130 | 3 |
| INTRAUNV 104 | 1 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Units | Spring | Units |
| PHYSCS 221 | 2 | PHYSCS 310 | 3 |
| PHYSCS 324 | 3 | PHYSCS 344 | 4 |
| MATH 255 | 4 | MATH 355 | 3 |
| COMPSCI 170 | 3 | Elective (SBS-E or SBS-S) | 3 |
| CORE 120 or 140 | 3 | CORE 110 | 3 |
| 15 | 16 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Units | Spring | Units |
| PHYSCS 364 | 3 | PHYSCS 325 | 3 |
| MATH 361 | 3 | PHYSCS 389 | 1 |
| CHEM 102 | 5 | CHEM 104 | 5 |
| COMM 110 | 3 | PHYSCS 330 | 4 |
| PEGNRL 192 | 1 | U.S Racial/Ethnic Diversity Course | 3 |
| 15 | 16 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Units | Spring | Units |
| PHYSCS 489 | 1 | PHYSCS 424 | 3 |
| PHYSCS 425 | 3 | MATH 459 (for Math Minor) | 3 |
| ENGLISH 370 or PWP 371 | 3 | PHYSCS Elective/s | 3-6 |
| PHYSCS 360 | 4 | Elective (HA-A, HA-G, or HA-H) | 3 |
| CORE 390 | 3 | Electives to Total 120 (if needed) | 3 |
| Department Exit Interview is Required | |||
| 14 | 15-18 | ||
| Total Units: 121-124 | |||
- 1
This program may also be completed as a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in the College of Letters and Sciences, but will require additional coursework. The BA degree emphasizes preparation in the arts, world languages, humanities and social sciences.
- 2
The math and English courses you will take during your first year will depend on UW System placement exam scores or ACT/SAT subscores. This four-year plan reflects the math and English courses most common for students in this major. All students are encouraged to complete placement testing prior to attending Warhawks SOAR.
- 3
This program requires a minor. Students are encouraged to start thinking about selecting a minor in the second year. Students can choose any approved minor; however, students in this major complete many of the requirements of a math minor through completion of courses required in this program.
- 4
By completing the requirements of the Physics major, students complete the Bachelor of Science/BS degree requirements. Some classes are offered fall semester only, denoted: (F); or spring semester only, denoted: (S).
First Year: Joining a university-sponsored club and actively participating is strongly encouraged. Some clubs that may be of particular interest to students with a Physics Major include: Research Apprentice Program (RAP), Robotics Club, Society of Physics Students (SPS), SURF, and various travel study options.
Second Year: The Undergraduate Research Program (URP) is a high-impact practice that gives students the opportunity to apply their knowledge outside of the classroom and dive deeper into their field of interest.
Third Year: An internship provides students with hands-on experience in a potential career field, supervision and coaching from prospective employers, and the ability to learn professional norms and behaviors. In addition, completing an internship allows students to differentiate themselves in a competitive job market.
LSINDP 399: Career Information in Letters and Sciences is a 1-credit course that focuses on career and graduate school opportunities, identifying skills, strengths, and work values; creating effective job search materials; developing a networking strategy; and planning for a successful post-graduation transition.
Fourth Year: All students must earn at least 120 credits and complete undergraduate degree requirements to graduate.
Graduation: Students should apply for graduation one full semester prior to their intended graduation date.
Learn more about Physics Department programs, activities, faculty, and opportunities.