Program: Physics Major - South Dakota State University

2013-2014 Undergraduate Catalog

Apr 13, 2025

Program Contact/Coordinator
Joel Rauber, Head
Department of Physics
Daktronics Engineering Hall 255
605-688-5428
e-mail: joel.rauber@sdstate.edu
http://www.sdstate.edu/phys
Click here for additional information.

Program Information
Physics is the foundation of almost all of the science and engineering disciplines. The curriculum in Physics has the flexibility to accommodate a wide range of student interests including engineering, physical science, mathematics, biological science, or health sciences. Graduates find careers in physics research, education, engineering, medicine, nuclear medicine, law, science journalism or alternatively many other choices.

Program Outcomes

Additional Academic Requirements
The program requires a Cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above for all physics courses and a GPA 2.0 or above in PHYS 211-213 (or PHYS 111-113) and PHYS 331.

Course Delivery Format
Physics students learn through hands-on and face to face learning in lecture, laboratory, and field based experiences.

Requirements for Physics Major: 120 Credits

Bachelor of Science

System General Education Requirements*: 33

Goal #1 Written Communication:
ENGL 101
, and
ENGL 201
or
ENGL 277
¹ Credits: 6
Goal #2 Oral Communication:
SPCM 101*
Credits: 3
Goal #3 Social Sciences/Diversity Credits: 6
Goal #4 Arts and Humanities/Diversity Credits: 6
Goal #5 Mathematics:
MATH 123
Credits: 4
Goal #6 Natural Sciences:
PHYS 111-111L
and
PHYS 113-113L
Credits: 8
or
PHYS 211-211L
and
PHYS 213-213L
Credits: 8

Institutional Graduation Requirements**: 5

Goal #1 First Year Seminar:
PHYS 109**
Credits: 2
Goal #2 Cultural Awareness and Social and Environmental Responsibility Credits: 3

College of Arts & Sciences Bachelor of Science Requirements: 34

Bachelor of Science

Natural Science Credits: 14
With 6 credits of Biological Sciences
With 8 credits of Physical Sciences
Social Sciences Credits: 12
Humanities Credits: 8 including
PHIL 200
or
PHIL 331
Credits: 3

SGRs, IGRs, and/or Major coursework may satisfy some or all of the above requirements. Consult program advisor for details. See the College of Arts and Sciences for additional information about Bachelor of Arts Specifications and Bachelor of Science Specifications .

Major Requirements: 36

PHYS 316-316L - Measurement Theory and Experiment Design and Lab (AW)
Credits: 2
PHYS 331 - Introduction to Modern Physics (COM)
Credits: 3
PHYS 490-590 - Seminar (COM)
Credits: 1-3 Only (1 credit required for program.)
MATH 125 - Calculus II * (COM)
Credits: 4
MATH 225 - Calculus III * (COM)
Credits: 4
MATH 321 - Differential Equations (COM)
Credits: 3
CHEM 112-112L - General Chemistry I and Lab* (COM)
Credits: 3, 1
OR
CHEM 106-106L - Chemistry Survey and Lab* (COM)
Credits: 3,1
CHEM 114-114L - General Chemistry II and Lab * (COM)
Credits: 3, 1
OR
CHEM 120-120L - Elementary Organic Chemistry and Lab*
Credits: 3, 1
CSC 150-150L - Computer Science I (COM)
Credits: 3
PHYS 421-521 - Electromagnetism (COM)
Credits: 4
PHYS 341 - Thermodynamics
Credits: 2 and
PHYS 343 - Statistical Physics
Credits: 2
OR
PHYS 451-551 - Classical Mechanics (COM)
Credits: 4
OR
PHYS 471-571 - Quantum Mechanics (COM)
Credits: 4

Electives: 34

Select one elective group based on career objectives

Total Required Credits: 120

Curriculum Notes

* The 30 credit Board of Regents System General Education Requirements (SGRs) must be completed as part of a student’s first 64 credits.

** South Dakota State University has a 5 credit Institutional Graduation Requirement (IGRs).

(G) Globalization Requirement.

(AW) Advanced Writing Requirement.

Students must take the proficiency examination after completing 48 credits. English 101, and a course in each of the General Education areas of social science, mathematics, natural science, and humanities and arts must be taken prior to taking this exam.