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Bachelor of Science in Physics — General Concentration

The total required credit hours for the B.S. Degree in Physics is 120. It involves 42 General Education Core credit hours. Please consult the University Catalog to ascertain the allowed courses. University Physics I (PHYS 251) can be used to fulfill this requirement. In addition there are 37 credit hours of required courses and 41 credit hours of electives, some of them requiring departmental approval.

Learning Outcomes: Students will understand Newtonian, Relativistic, and Quantum physics, their theoretical framework, as well as the analytical and computational approaches for solving the underlying differential and discrete equations. They will be skilled in advanced applied mathematics as required for solving these systems. Their mathematical skill set will include the understanding of multidimensional calculus, vector calculus, differential and partial differential equations, matrix theory and linear algebra, and complex analysis. They will learn how to analyze these systems in terms of Fortran, C/C++, Mathematica, etc., programming languages.

Students will learn how to be problem solvers, which requires not only that they be able to frame questions, but exercise their critical thinking capabilities to solve these problems. They will also learn how to work in groups (team work) in the identification of interesting research problems and their solutions. They will also develop effective communication skills by which to promote their research within their peer and professional community, particularly at conferences, etc.

Physics, is an empirically based, quantitative critical thinking discipline. Theories are formulated based on experiments, and their predictive powers revealed through advanced quantitative analysis. This skill set is vital to any discipline, be it in the sciences, business, finance, law, etc. That is, physics teaches you how to think based on empirical data and quantitative analysis.

The following classes are taught within the Texas Physics Consortium through an interactive, online system that uses teleconferencing technology. Courses are also recorded for student’s use and are centrally managed by a BlackBoard communication interface.

PHYS 338  – Mathematica Methods I

PHYS 341 – Mechanics I

PHYS 332 – Introduction to Modern Physics

PHYS 333 – Electricity and Magnetism

PHYS 336 – Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics

PHYS 360 – Advanced Undergraduate Laboratory

PHYS 432 – Quantum Mechanics I

PHYS 437 – Nuclear Physics I

PHYS 415 – Senior Thesis I

PHYS 416 – Senior Thesis II