The request to revise the requirements for the B.A. in Physics and the Dual Degree Program in Physics and Engineering

Date: June 30, 2011
To: College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
From: Clarence Greene, Faculty Governance Assistant
Approved On: May 4, 2011
Implementation Date: 2011

Note: Deletions are strikethroughs. Insertions are underlined.

Catalog Copy

BACHELOR OF ARTS IN PHYSICS

The Bachelor of Art degree is appropriate for students seeking an in-depth understanding of physics within the context of a broader education. This curriculum allows the greatest freedom in choosing electives offered by other departments, and is ideal for students wishing to pursue double majors, matching physics with another discipline. A major in Physics leading to the B.A. degree consists of at least 33 semester hours of physics with an average of C or better. The 33 hours of physics must include eight hours in an introductory sequence of either PHYS 1101, 1102, 1101L, and 1102L or PHYS 2101, 2102, 2101L, and 2102L. Under special circumstances, and with the approval of the Undergraduate Studies Committee, PHYS 1101, 1102, 1101L, and 1102L may be substituted for the PHYS 2101-2102 sequence. The remaining 25 hours must include PHYS 1000, PHYS 3101, PHYS 3121, PHYS 3141, PHYS 4231, PHYS 4241, either PHYS 3282 or PHYS 3283, plus six additional hours at the 3000-4000 level. Also required are CHEM 1251, 1251L and MATH 1241, 1242, 2171, 2241, and 2242. Students may substitute PHYS 3220 for MATH 2242. PHYS 3000, 3900, 4000, or 4800 may be used to fulfill the 33-semester hour requirement only if approved in advance for this purpose by the Undergraduate Studies Committee. Freshmen should complete MATH 1241 before the beginning of their second year.

DUAL DEGREE PROGRAMS WITH ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING

The Department of Physics and Optical Science offers two dual degree opportunities with the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. These dual degrees are designed to broaden and enhance the education of students in engineering degree programs. Students can obtain a B.S. Physics and B.S. Electrical Engineering dual degree or a B.S. Physics and B.S. Computer Engineering dual degree. Students completing the dual degree can complete the “W” in the major requirement by taking 3 credit hours chosen from the following engineering courses: ECGR 2155, ECGR 2156, ECGR 3155, ECGR 3156, ECGR 3253, or ECGR 3254. Students in this dual degree program are not required to fulfill the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences foreign language requirement (see the CLAS General Education section in this Catalog for additional information).

B.S.E.E. OR B.S. IN PHYSICS

To obtain a dual B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering and Physics, an undergraduate student must complete all requirements for the B.S.E.E. degree as established by the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. In addition, the student must complete 12 hours of upper division physics courses specified by the Department of Physics and Optical Science with an average of C or better. To meet the upper division physics requirements, students must complete the following courses: PHYS 3121 (Classical Mechanics), PHYS 4241 (Quantum Mechanics), and 6 elective hours chosen from a list of approved courses available from the Department of Physics and Optical Science. A B.S. in Physics under this program will be awarded at the same time as the B.S.E.E. The B.S. Physics degree will not be awarded in advance of the engineering degree.

B.S.Cp.E./B.S. IN PHYSICS

To obtain a dual B.S. degree in Computer Engineering and Physics, an undergraduate student must complete all requirements for the B.S. Cp.E. degree as established by the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. In addition, the student must complete 12 hours of upper division physics courses specified by the Department of Physics and Optical Science with an average of C or better. To meet the upper division physics requirements, students must complete the following courses: PHYS 3121 (Classical Mechanics), PHYS 3141 (Introduction to Modern Physics), PHYS 4231 (Electricity and Magnetism), PHYS 4241 (Quantum Mechanics). Students must also complete MATH 2241. A B.S. in Physics under this program will be awarded at the same time as the B.S.Cp.E. The B.S. Physics degree will not be awarded in advance of the engineering degree.

DUAL DEGREE PROGRAM WITH MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

The Department of Physics and Optical Science offers a dual degree opportunity with the Department of Mechanical Engineering. The dual degree is designed to broaden and enhance the education of students in the engineering degree program. Students can obtain a B.S. Physics and B.S. Mechanical Engineering dual degree. Students completing the dual degree can complete the “W” in the major requirement by taking 3 credit hours chosen from the following engineering courses: MEGR 3171L, MEGR 3152, or MEGR 3251. Students in this dual degree program are not required to fulfill the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences foreign language requirement (see the CLAS General Education section in this Catalog for additional information).

B.S.M.E. OR B.S. IN PHYSICS

To obtain a dual B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering and Physics, an undergraduate student must complete all requirements for the B.S.M.E. degree as established by the Department of Mechanical Engineering. In addition, the student must complete 12 hours of upper division physics courses specified by the Department of Physics and Optical Science with an average of C or better. To meet the upper division physics requirement, students must complete the following courses: PHYS 3141 (Introduction to Modem Physics), PHYS 4231 (Electromagnetic Theory I), PHYS 4241 (Quantum Mechanics I), and 3 elective hours chosen from a list of approved courses available from the Department of Physics and Optical Science. A B.S. in Physics under this program will be awarded at the same time as the B.S.M.E. The B.S. Physics degree will not be awarded in advance of the engineering degree.