Applied Physics, B.S.
Completion of this major prepares one 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, and 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 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Prerequisite Courses | ||
| PHYS 100 | Preparation for Physics | 3 |
| CHEM 100 | Preparation for General Chemistry | 3 |
| Required Courses | ||
| PHYS 140 | Principles of Physics I - Lecture | 3 |
| PHYS 1140 | Principles of Physics I - Laboratory and recitation | 1 |
| PHYS 141 | Principles of Physics II - Lecture | 3 |
| PHYS 1141 | Principles of Physics II - Laboratory and Recitation | 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 | Computer Tools for Science and Mathematic Majors 1 | 3 |
| PHYS 321 | Theory and Applications of Electricity and Magnetism | 3 |
| PHYS 401 | Principles and Application of Modern Optics | 3 |
| PHYS 1401 | Optics Recitation/Laboratory | 1 |
| PHYS 405 | Introduction to Quantum Mechanics | 3 |
| 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 |
| Select a minimum of nine credits from the following courses, or from other courses approved by the Chairperson: | 9 | |
| Supportive Electives | ||
| 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 140 | Principles of Physics I - Lecture | 3 |
| PHYS 1140 | Principles of Physics I - Laboratory and recitation | 1 |
| General Education Tier I Course | 3 | |
| INTD 101 | Orientation to College *First time Freshmen Only | 1 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| ENGL 102 or ESL 102 | English Composition II or English Composition 2 ESL | 4 |
| MATH 193 | Calculus and Analytic Geometry II 1 | 4 |
| PHYS 141 | Principles of Physics II - Lecture | 3 |
| PHYS 1141 | Principles of Physics II - Laboratory and Recitation | 1 |
| General Education Tier I Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| PHYS 230 | Physics III (Lecture) | 3 |
| PHYS 1230 | Physics III Recitation & Laboratory | 1 |
| MATH 292 | Calculus & Analytical Geometry III | 4 |
| CHEM 105 | General Chemistry I Lecture | 3 |
| CHEM 1105 | General Chemistry I Recitation/Laboratory | 2 |
| INTD 180 | Computer Tools For Science and Mathematics (General Education Tier I Course) | 3 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| PHYS 113 or EESC 110 | Introduction to Astronomy (Physics Supportive Elective Course/General Education Tier I Course) or Physical Geography | 3 |
| PHYS 204 or PHYS 301 | Digital Electronics and Applications (Physics Restricted Elective Course) or Thermodynamics and Kinetic Theory | 3 |
| MATH 311 | Differential Equations for Engineers | 4 |
| CHEM 106 | General Chemistry II Lecture | 3 |
| CHEM 1106 | General Chemistry II Recitation/Laboratory | 2 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Junior | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| PHYS 321 | Theory and Applications of Electricity and Magnetism | 3 |
| PHYS 401 | Principles and Application of Modern Optics | 3 |
| PHYS 1401 | Optics Recitation/Laboratory | 1 |
| CHEM 305 | Physical Chemistry I (or Physics Supportive Elective Course (see requirements)) | 3 |
| CHEM 3305 | Physical Chemistry I Recitation/Laboratory | 2 |
| General Education Tier II Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| PHYS 307 or PHYS 404 | Principles of Electronics Lecture (Physics Restricted Elective Course) or Nuclear Radiation: Theory and Applications | 3 |
| CHEM 306 | Physical Chemistry II, Lecture | 3 |
| CHEM 3306 | Physical Chemistry II Recitation/Laboratory (Physics Supportive Elective Course) | 2 |
| General Education Tier II Course | 3 | |
| General Education Tier II Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Senior | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| PHYS 405 | Introduction to Quantum Mechanics | 3 |
| MATH 330 | Mathematical Statistics I (or Physics Supportive Elective Course (see requirements)) | 3 |
| General Education Tier II Course | 3 | |
| General Education Tier II Course | 3 | |
| Elective or Minor Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| PHYS 410 | Classical Mechanics | 4 |
| Physics Restricted Elective Course (see requirements) | 3 | |
| General Education Tier II Course | 3 | |
| General Education Tier III Course | 3 | |
| Elective or Minor Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| 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 BS 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.