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.
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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