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Sep 18, 2024
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2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog
Physics (B.S.)
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Program Coordinator/Contact
Robert McTaggart, Assistant Department Head
Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics
Daktronics Engineering Hall 255
605-688-5428
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.
Course Delivery Format
Physics students learn through hands-on and face to face learning in lecture, laboratory, and field-based experiences.
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Student Learning Outcomes
Upon the completion of the Physics major, students will:
- Support an environment that is inclusive to everyone regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability status.
- Be able to write a laboratory report that is appropriate for the discipline of physics and suitable for publication in an undergraduate research journal.
- Defend a hypothesis or a research project by giving an oral presentation in a colloquium setting.
- Solve complex physics problems by applying scientific and mathematical principles.
- Design experiments; build and use equipment; gather, analyze and interpret experimental data; and draw conclusions based upon the data.
- Propose creative solutions for key issues of scientific, social, economic, or environmental merit and defend their hypothesis in either a research paper or by generating a proposal for an experimental design.
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.
Requirements for Physics Major: 120 Credits
Bachelor of Science
System General Education Requirements
Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics Requirements
- Capstone course in the major discipline
- Upper division coursework Credits: 33
Major Requirements
- CHEM 112 - General Chemistry I (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 3
- CHEM 112L - General Chemistry I Lab (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 1
- CHEM 114 - General Chemistry II (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 3
- CHEM 114L - General Chemistry II Lab (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 1
- CSC 150 - Computer Science I (COM) Credits: 3
- EE 216 - Linear Circuits I Credits: 3
- EE 216L - Linear Circuits I Lab Credits: 1
- MATH 125 - Calculus II (COM) [SGR #5, HSDC] Credits: 4
- MATH 225 - Calculus III (COM) [SGR #5, HSDC] Credits: 4
- MATH 321 - Differential Equations (COM) Credits: 3
- PHYS 119 - First Year Seminar in Physics (COM) Credits: 1
- PHYS 211 - University Physics I (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 4
- PHYS 211L - University Physics I Lab (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 1
- PHYS 213 - University Physics II (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 4
- PHYS 213L - University Physics II Lab (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 1
- PHYS 316 - Measurement Theory and Experiment Design Credits: 1
- PHYS 316L - Measurement Theory and Experiment Design Lab Credits: 1
- PHYS 318 - Advanced Laboratory I Credits: 2
- PHYS 331 - Introduction to Modern Physics (COM) Credits: 3
- PHYS 341 - Thermodynamics (COM) Credits: 2
- PHYS 343 - Statistical Physics (COM) Credits: 2
- PHYS 421 - Electromagnetism (COM) Credits: 4
- PHYS 451 - Classical Mechanics (COM) Credits: 4
- PHYS 490 - Seminar (COM) Credits: 1-3 (2 credits required) (Capstone)
Major Electives
Select one elective group based on career objectives. Credits: 36
Group 1: Professional and Applied Physics
Group 2: Health/Medical Physics
Group 3: Flexible Emphasis
- Electives: 9
- Directed Electives: 20
- Technical Electives: 7
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Up to a total of 3 credits may be NE/PHYS x94, x96, x98 total
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Technical electives will be selected from the following list of approved courses. Any departures from this list must be approved by the Head of the Physics Department. One may not count a specific course required for an elective group as also counting towards elective credit requirements of the elective group.
Electives
Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.
Total Required Credits: 120
Summary of Program Requirements
Bachelor of Science
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| System General Education Requirements* |
25 Credit Hours |
| Major Requirements |
94 Credit Hours |
| Electives** |
1 Credit Hours |
*System General Education Requirements for students pursuing a baccalaureate degree shall include a minimum of 30 credit hours. Some general education coursework may be counted for Major Requirements and Supporting Coursework.
**Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.
Academic Advising Guide Sheet
The goal of the academic advising guide sheets and sample plans of study is to promote undergraduate student success by guiding all students to timely completion of an undergraduate degree. Students are not limited to the course sequence provided for their academic program. Instead, the sample plan of study is one possible path to completing your degree and is meant to be used as a guide for planning purposes in consultation with an academic advisor. The plans also help students prepare for meetings with their academic advisor and track their progress in their selected academic program.
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