Physics Curriculum
The University’s program is one of the few undergraduate physics programs in the region to include biophysics and materials science tracks. These tracks provide focus to upper-level courses and offer an applied, interdisciplinary connection with current issues in industry, medicine and research.
The culmination of the physics program is a capstone senior-level research course sequence in which each student is matched with a physics faculty mentor to complete a project and develop and deliver a formal seminar presentation.
The following is a typical curriculum for physics students entering the University in Fall 2012; current students should refer to their academic advisor for their curricula.
No Track Selected
First Year
Physics Orientation
Physics I
Principles of Chemistry I, II
Principles of Chemistry Lab I, II
Mathematical Analysis I, II
Writing and Rhetoric I, II
Physical Education I, II
General Education Requirement
Second Year
Physics II
Electronics
Mathematical Analysis III, IV
Linear Algebra
Intellectual Heritage I, II
General Education Requirement
Free Electives
Third Year
Modern Physics
Mechanics
Mathematical Methods for the Physical Sciences
Thermodynamics
Differential Equations
Advanced Lab
Electricity and Magnetism
Optics and Wave Phenomena
Quantum Mechanics
Introduction to Communication
General Education Requirement
Fourth Year
Physics Electives
Undergraduate Research in Physics
Advanced Research in Physics
General Education Requirement
Free Electives
Biophysics Track
First Year
Physics Orientation
Physics I
Principles of Chemistry I, II
Principles of Chemistry Lab I, II
Mathematical Analysis I, II
Introduction to Biostatistics
Writing and Rhetoric I, II
Physical Education I, II
General Education Requirement
Second Year
Physics II
Electronics
Introductory Biology I, II
Principles of Organic Chemistry I, II
Principles of Organic Chemistry Lab I, II
Mathematical Analysis III, IV
Third Year
Modern Physics
Mechanics
Mathematical Methods for the Physical Sciences
Thermodynamics
Differential Equations
Biophysics I
Advanced Lab
Electricity and Magnetism
Optics and Wave Phenomena
Quantum Mechanics
Intellectual Heritage I, II
Fourth Year
Undergraduate Research in Physics
Advanced Research in Physics
Molecular Structure in Biochemistry
Biology/Biochemistry Electives
General Education Requirements
Free Elective
Introduction to Communication
Materials Science Track
First Year
Physics Orientation
Physics I
Principles of Chemistry I, II
Principles of Chemistry Lab I, II
Mathematical Analysis I, II
Writing and Rhetoric I, II
Physical Education I, II
General Education Requirement
Second Year
Physics II
Electronics
Mathematical Analysis III, IV
Linear Algebra
Intellectual Heritage I, II
General Education Requirement
Free Electives
Third Year
Modern Physics I
Mechanics
Mathematical Methods for the Physical Sciences
Thermodynamics
Advanced Lab
Electricity and Magnetism
Optics and Wave Phenomena
Quantum Mechanics
Differential Equations
Introduction to Communication
General Education Requirement
Fourth Year
Solid State Physics
Introduction to Materials Science
Undergraduate Research in Physics
Advanced Research in Physics
Physics Electives
General Education Requirement
Free Electives
Additional general education courses are required as part of this program.
For detailed course descriptions and other information about the physics curriculum, see the University Catalog.