The BS degree is an intensive program of study providing stronger preparation for graduate school in physics, or a closely related science, than does the BA. Students planning to pursue graduate study normally elect the BS program.

Concentration Requirements for BS degree in Physics

• PHY 217, 218, 227, 235, 237, 246 or their close equivalents; PHY 243W or 244W; an additional 4 credit hours in an approved 200-300 level physics and/or astronomy course.
• Two courses in advanced mathematics: MTH 281 is required and MTH 282 or OPT 287 is recommended.
• Computer literacy ¹
• One course in a natural science outside the field of Physics (an Astronomy course can satisfy this requirement).
• At least a 2.0 (C) average in astronomy, physics and mathematics courses must be maintained.
• All choices must be approved by the undergraduate physics advisor.

A typical program of study for the last two years is:

Third Year
Fall	Spring
PHY 217 -- Electricity & Magnetism I	PHY 227 -- PHY 218 -- Electricty & Magnetism II
PHY 235W -- Classical Mechanics	PHY 237 -- Quantum Mech. of Physical Systems 3
MTH 281 -- Fourier Series	PHY 227 -- Thermo. & Statistical Mech. 2
Elective 1	Elective
Fourth Year
Fall	Spring
PHY 243W -- Advanced Experimental Techniques I	PHY 246 -- Quantum Theory
PHY or AST Elective 4	MTH 282 -- Intro. Complex Variables
Elective	PHY or AST Elective 4
Elective	Elective

¹The computer literacy requirement is satisfied by a passing grade in an introductory computing course (e.g. CSC 171, ECE 114), or in PHY 256 (Computational Physics), or by completing a computer-based problem approved by the department's undergraduate advisor (possibly one associated with a previous class) or by having a faculty member familiar with the student's work certify the computer literacy.

² Students continuing to graduate school in physics or in astronomy, generally take the GRE Physics Exam during the Fall of their senior year. Before taking the GREs, it is strongly recommended that you have taken PHY 227, Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics, and that you review old copies of GRE exams available in the Physics/Optics/Astronomy Library, located on the 3rd floor of Bausch & Lomb Hall, room 374.

³Students who have already taken PHY 237 in their sophomore year should take PHY 246 in their junior year. Students who have not already had PHY 237 should take it in their junior year, and take PHY 246 in their senior year.

⁴Depending on what is offered in any given semester, this can typically be PHY 251 (Condensed Matter Physics), PHY 253 (Biological Physics), PHY 254 (20^th Century Particle Physics), PHY 255 (Physics in Modern Technology), PHY 256 (Computational Physics), PHY 258 (Energy and the Environment), PHY 391 (Independent Study), PHY 393W (Senior Thesis), AST 203 (Astronomy Techniquies), AST 241 or AST 242 (Astrophysics) or AST 232 (Dynamics and Statistics of Star Systems), AST 393W (Senior Thesis), or any other 200 level standard physics or astronomy course. Note that the Advanced Experimental Techniques courses PHY 243W and PHY 244W are independent; one or both of these couses can be taken since each course offers a different set of experiments.

Note: Equivalent graduate level courses may be substituted when appropriate. Well prepared students might consider taking the graduate quantum mechanics sequence PHY 407/408 in their senior year, in place of PHY 246.

Go to Undergraduate Programs page.