Applied Physics, B.A.
Completion of this major prepares a student for a career as a laboratory technician, systems analyst, engineering assistant, research associate, or physics associate. Continued study may include a master’s degree in physics, engineering, geology, biology, environmental science, natural science, or science education, among others. It may also include doctorates in medicine, dentistry, or the previously identified fields.
The requirements for admission to this degree track are a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 2.5 and MATH 175. Students interested in this track are encouraged to make their selection of major as soon as possible.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Requisites | ||
| PHYS 100 | Preparation for Physics | 3 |
| CHEM 100 | Preparation for General Chemistry | 3 |
| Required | ||
| PHYS 130 | College Physics I (Lecture) | 3 |
| PHYS 1130 | Physics I Recitation & Laboratory | 1 |
| PHYS 131 | Physics II (Lecture) | 3 |
| PHYS 1131 | Physics II Recitation & Laboratory | 1 |
| PHYS 230 | Physics III (Lecture) | 3 |
| PHYS 1230 | Physics III Recitation & Laboratory | 1 |
| MATH 192 | Calculus and Analytic Geometry I | 4 |
| MATH 193 | Calculus and Analytic Geometry II | 4 |
| MATH 292 | Calculus & Analytical Geometry III | 4 |
| MATH 311 | Differential Equations for Engineers | 4 |
| CHEM 105 | General Chemistry I Lecture | 3 |
| CHEM 1105 | General Chemistry I Recitation/Laboratory | 2 |
| CHEM 106 | General Chemistry II Lecture | 3 |
| CHEM 1106 | General Chemistry II Recitation/Laboratory | 2 |
| INTD 180 | Computers Tools for Science and Math | 3 |
| PHYS 321 | Theory and Applications of Electricity and Magnetism | 3 |
| PHYS 405 | Introduction to Quantum Mechanics | 3 |
| PHYS 401 | Principles and Application of Modern Optics | 3 |
| PHYS 1401 | Optics Recitation/Laboratory | 1 |
| PHYS 410 | Classical Mechanics | 4 |
| Restricted Electives | ||
| Select a minimum of nine credits from the following courses: | 9 | |
| PHYS 204 | Digital Electronics and Applications | 3 |
| PHYS 301 | Thermodynamics and Kinetic Theory | 3 |
| PHYS 307 | Principles of Electronics Lecture | 3 |
| PHYS 404 | Nuclear Radiation: Theory and Applications | 3 |
| Supportive Electives | ||
| Select a minimum of nine credits from the following courses: | 9 | |
| CHEM 305 | Physical Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 3305 | Physical Chemistry I Recitation/Laboratory | 2 |
| CHEM 306 | Physical Chemistry II, Lecture | 3 |
| CHEM 3306 | Physical Chemistry II Recitation/Laboratory | 2 |
| EESC 110 | Physical Geography | 3 |
| PHYS 113 | Introduction to Astronomy | 3 |
| MATH 330 | Mathematical Statistics I | 3 |
| Total Credits | 110 | |
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Credits | |
| ENGL 101 or ESL 101 | English Composition I or English Composition I for English as a Second Language Students | 4 |
| MATH 192 | Calculus and Analytic Geometry I 1 | 4 |
| PHYS 130 | College Physics I (Lecture) | 3 |
| PHYS 1130 | Physics I Recitation & Laboratory | 1 |
| CHEM 105 | General Chemistry I Lecture | 3 |
| CHEM 1105 | General Chemistry I Recitation/Laboratory | 2 |
| INTD 101 | Orientation to College *First time Freshmen Only | 1 |
| Credits | 18 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| ENGL 102 or ESL 102 | English Composition II or | 4 |
| MATH 193 | Calculus and Analytic Geometry II 1 | 4 |
| PHYS 131 | Physics II (Lecture) | 3 |
| PHYS 1131 | Physics II Recitation & Laboratory | 1 |
| CHEM 106 | General Chemistry II Lecture | 3 |
| CHEM 1106 | General Chemistry II Recitation/Laboratory | 2 |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| PHYS 230 | Physics III (Lecture) | 3 |
| PHYS 1230 | Physics III Recitation & Laboratory | 1 |
| MATH 292 | Calculus & Analytical Geometry III | 4 |
| INTD 180 | Computers Tools for Science and Math (General Education Tier I Course) | 3 |
| General Education Tier I Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| PHYS 321 | Theory and Applications of Electricity and Magnetism | 3 |
| PHYS 113 or EESC 110 | Introduction to Astronomy (General Education Tier I Course) or Physical Geography | 3 |
| MATH 311 | Differential Equations for Engineers | 4 |
| General Education Tier I Course | 3 | |
| General Education Tier II Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Junior | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| PHYS 204 or PHYS 301 | Digital Electronics and Applications (Physics Restricted Elective Course) or Thermodynamics and Kinetic Theory | 3 |
| PHYS 307 or PHYS 404 | Principles of Electronics Lecture (Physics Restricted Elective Course) or Nuclear Radiation: Theory and Applications | 3 |
| PHYS 401 | Principles and Application of Modern Optics | 3 |
| PHYS 1401 | Optics Recitation/Laboratory | 1 |
| General Education Tier II Course | 3 | |
| General Education Tier II Course | ||
| Elective or Minor Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| MATH 330 | Mathematical Statistics I (or Physics Supportive Elective Course (see requirements)) | 3 |
| General Education Tier II Course | 3 | |
| Elective or Minor Course | 3 | |
| Elective or Minor Course | 3 | |
| Elective or Minor Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Senior | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| PHYS 405 | Introduction to Quantum Mechanics | 3 |
| CHEM 305 | Physical Chemistry I (Physics Supportive Elective Course) | 3 |
| CHEM 3305 | Physical Chemistry I Recitation/Laboratory (Physics Supportive Elective Course) | 2 |
| General Education Tier II Course | 3 | |
| General Education Tier II Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| General Education Tier III Course | 3 | |
| Elective or Minor Course | 3 | |
| Elective or Minor Course | 3 | |
| Elective or Minor Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 122 | |
| 1 | Courses are part of the General Education program and may be used to simultaneously satisfy a General Education Mode of Inquiry requirement. |
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Applied Physics BA program, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the factual and theoretical basis of physics including Newton's Laws of motion, conservation laws, E&M and Quantum Mechanics.
- Demonstrate understanding of scientific inquiry and explain how scientific knowledge is discovered and validated.
- Apply quantitative reasoning to describe or explain phenomena in the natural world.
- Demonstrate knowledge of mathematical tools and their applications to understanding physics systems.
- Communicate scientific information based on original research or literature review.
- Demonstrate preparedness to enter the work force or Graduate School.