2016-2018 Undergraduate and Graduate Bulletin (without addenda) 
    
    Nov 13, 2024  
2016-2018 Undergraduate and Graduate Bulletin (without addenda) [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Applied Physics, B.S.


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Bachelor of Science in Applied Physics


The aim of the four-year Bachelor of Science in Applied Physics is to prepare students thoroughly for any one of the many careers based on a concentration in physics. For some students, this means preparation for graduate school and further study leading to the master’s or doctoral degree. For many others, it means professional work in industry, government or in high school teaching. Some students use their major in applied physics to prepare for work in mathematics, chemistry, biology, medicine, engineering, law, history of science, writing or business. The program’s emphasis on fundamental knowledge, thorough analytic training and the universal logic of science enables applied physics students to take these different career paths. Students must complete 128 credits, as defined below, to graduate from the School of Engineering with a Bachelor of Science in Applied Physics. Please note that the curriculum that follows applies to students who begin classes in the Fall of 2014 or later. For students who enter the School of Engineering prior to that date, please review the curriculum and typical course schedule for students entering prior to Fall 2014.

The core of the program is 37 credits of required physics courses. Students begin with a general, calculus-based introductory sequence, followed by an introduction to Modern Physics, then intermediate courses in the fundamentals, i.e., Classical Mechanics, Electromagnetism, Thermal Physics and Statistical Mechanics and Quantum Physics. Students are provided with a solid grounding in mathematics and in the humanities and social sciences, and the choice to round out their education with two free electives. Students select the balance of their major courses from available elective physics offerings. Technical electives from other disciplines may be substituted with adviser approval, especially if a student is pursuing a concentration or minor.

Physics and Math Electives: 23 Credits


Students should select five applied physics elective courses totaling at least 16 credits, and two math electives courses totaling at least 7 credits. Electives from other disciplines may be substituted with adviser approval.

Electives in the Humanities and Social Sciences: 16 Credits


Students are required to take 16 elective credits in the humanities and social sciences, requiring EXPOS-UA 1  and EXPOS-UA 2  as prerequisites. To gain some breadth of knowledge, it is required that students take courses in at least two disciplines and at least one course at an advanced level.

Free Electives, Independant Study and Projects: 12 Credits


Twelve credits are reserved for free electives and independent study courses, of which 6 credits are recommended for use on a project or thesis topic.

An illustrative typical course of study for the Bachelor of Science degree in applied physics is shown at the end of this section.

Typical Course of Study for the Bachelor of Science in Applied Physics


Freshman Year


Sophomore Year


Junior Year


Fall Semester: 17 Credits


Spring Semester: 16 Credits


Senior Year


Fall Semester: 17 Credits


Spring Semester: 17 Credits


  • 4 Credits
  • PH 3/4/5**3 PH Elective 3 Credits
  • PH 3/4/5**3 PH Elective 3 Credits
  • Free Elective 3 Credits
  • Humanities and Social Sciences Elective #4 4 Credits 2

Total cedits required for the degree: 128


Footnotes


1 Students may choose to take a two-semester sequence in chemistry, or a combination of a single semester of chemistry and a semester of biology.

2 To gain some breadth and depth of knowledge, take courses in at least two disciplines and at least one course at an advanced level.

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