Physics, B.S.
A Bachelor in Physics provides the student with an understanding of the laws of nature and with the experimental and analytical techniques necessary to describe and solve problems in physical systems. The degree prepares students for further graduate study in physics, astronomy, geophysics, medicine, engineering, or many other diverse fields. Bachelor's recipients also find employment in a variety of industries and careers, including engineering, education, computer science, programming, electronics, energy and the environment, geology, medical physics, optics, finance, law, and more.
Matriculation Requirements
- Advisor approval.
- Completion of PHYS 2210 and MATH 1210 with a C or higher.
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Total Credit Hours | 120 | |
| General Education Requirements | 36 Credits | |
| ENGL 1010 | Introduction to Academic Writing CC | 3 |
| or ENGH 1005 | Literacies and Composition Across Contexts CC | |
| ENGL 2010 | Intermediate Academic Writing CC | 3 |
| Complete one of the following: | 3 | |
| MATH 1210 | Calculus I QL | 4 |
| US History to 1877 AS and US History since 1877 AS (6) | ||
| American Civilization AS (3) | ||
| US Economic History AS (3) | ||
| American Heritage AS (3) | ||
| American National Government AS (3) | ||
| Complete the following: | ||
| PHIL 2050 | Ethics and Values IH | 3 |
| HLTH 1100 | Personal Health and Wellness TE | 2 |
| or EXSC 1097 | Fitness for Life TE | |
| Distribution Courses: | ||
| Biology | 3 | |
| Physical Science | 3 | |
| Second Biology or Physical Science | 3 | |
| Humanities Distribution | 3 | |
| Fine Arts Distribution | 3 | |
| Social/Behavioral Science | 3 | |
| Discipline Core Requirements | 63 Credits | |
| PHYS 2210 | Physics for Scientists and Engineers I PP | 4 |
| PHYS 2215 | Physics for Scientists and Engineers I Lab | 1 |
| PHYS 2220 | Physics for Scientists and Engineers II PP | 4 |
| PHYS 2225 | Physics for Scientists and Engineers II Lab | 1 |
| PHYS 3110 | Modern Physics I | 3 |
| PHYS 3115 | Introduction to Experimental Physics I WE | 2 |
| PHYS 3120 | Modern Physics II | 3 |
| PHYS 3125 | Introduction to Experimental Physics II WE | 2 |
| PHYS 3230 | Principles of Electronics for the Physical Sciences | 3 |
| PHYS 3300 | Mathematical and Computational Physics I | 3 |
| PHYS 3330 | Mathematical and Computational Physics II | 3 |
| PHYS 3400 | Classical Mechanics | 3 |
| PHYS 3500 | Thermodynamics | 3 |
| PHYS 3600 | Optics | 3 |
| PHYS 4210 | Advanced Experimental Techniques | 3 |
| PHYS 4410 | Electrostatics and Magnetism | 3 |
| PHYS 4420 | Electrodynamics | 3 |
| PHYS 4510 | Quantum Mechanics I | 3 |
| PHYS 490R | Seminar (0.5 credits, taken 4 times) | 2 |
| MATH 1220 | Calculus II | 4 |
| MATH 2210 | Calculus III | 4 |
| MATH 2280 | Ordinary Differential Equations | 3 |
| Elective Requirements | 21 Credits | |
| Complete 21 credits from the following courses. The selection of elective coursework should present a coherent theme such as engineering physics, medical phyiscs, nuclear physics, geophysics, computational physics, etc. (Consult Advisor or Department Chair for assistance or to consider possible course substitutions.) | 21 | |
| Intermediate Astronomy (3) | ||
| Astrophysics I (3) | ||
| Astrophysics II (3) | ||
| Brown Dwarfs and Exoplanets (undefined) | ||
| Research Methods in Astronomy (3) | ||
| Introductory Math Techniques for Physics and Engineering (3) | ||
| Elementary Fluids and Thermal Physics (3) | ||
| Biophysics (undefined) | ||
| Introduction to Materials Physics (3) | ||
| Advanced Mathematical Physics (3) | ||
| Applications of LabVIEW in Physics (3) | ||
| Particle Physics (undefined) | ||
| Energy Use on Earth GI (3) | ||
| Medical Physics (3) | ||
| Nuclear Physics (3) | ||
| Research Methods in Physics (3) | ||
| Quantum Mechanics II (3) | ||
| Acoustics (3) 1 | ||
| Solid State Physics (3) 1 | ||
| Physics Internship (1-4) (no more than 4 hours counted toward degree) | ||
| Undergraduate Research in Physics (1-3) (no more than 9 hours counted toward degree) | ||
| Topics in Physics (3) (may only be taken once toward degree credit) | ||
| Independent Readings (1-3) (no more than 3 hours counted toward degree) | ||
| Senior Project (2) 1 | ||
| Senior Thesis (1) 1 | ||
| See Physics Department academic advisor for possibly more complete and up to date list. | ||
| Principles of Chemistry I PP (4) 2 | ||
| Principles of Chemistry I Laboratory (1) | ||
| Principles of Chemistry II PP (4) 2 | ||
| Principles of Chemistry II Laboratory (1) | ||
| Any CHEM course 2310 or higher except internship and independent study type courses. | ||
| Any EENG course 2700 or higher except internship and independent study type courses. | ||
| Any ENGR course 2010 or higher except internship and independent study type courses. | ||
| Linear Algebra (3) | ||
| Any MATH course 3200 or higher except intership and independent study type courses. | ||
| Any GEO course 3080 or higher, except internship and independent study-type courses. | ||
| Climate and the Earth System (3) | ||
- 1
Suggested elective option for the student intent on continuing physics studies in graduate school.
- 2
Strongly recommended for inclusion in any elective option.
Graduation Requirements
- Completion of a minimum of 120 semester credits.
- Overall grade point average of 2.0 (C) or above with no grade lower than a "C" in core and elective requirement courses.
- Residency hours--minimum of 30 credit hours through course attendance at UVU, with at least 10 hours earned in the last 45 hours.
- Completion of GE and specified departmental requirements.
- Successful completion of at least one Global/Intercultural course.
Graduation Plan
This graduation plan is a sample plan and is intended to be a guide. Your specific plan may differ based on your Math and English placement and/or transfer credits applied. You are encouraged to meet with an advisor and set up an individualized graduation plan in Wolverine Track.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Credit Hours | |
| MATH 1210 or PHYS 1100 | Calculus I QL or Introductory Math Techniques for Physics and Engineering | 4 |
| ENGL 1010 or ENGH 1005 | Introduction to Academic Writing CC or Literacies and Composition Across Contexts CC | 3 |
| EXSC 1097 or HLTH 1100 | Fitness for Life TE or Personal Health and Wellness TE | 2 |
| PHYS 2210 | Physics for Scientists and Engineers I PP | 4 |
| PHYS 2215 | Physics for Scientists and Engineers I Lab | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| MATH 1220 | Calculus II | 4 |
| PHYS 2220 | Physics for Scientists and Engineers II PP | 4 |
| PHYS 2225 | Physics for Scientists and Engineers II Lab | 1 |
| ENGL 2010 | Intermediate Academic Writing CC | 3 |
| FINE ARTS | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Semester 3 | ||
| PHYS 3110 | Modern Physics I | 3 |
| PHYS 3115 | Introduction to Experimental Physics I WE | 2 |
| MATH 2210 | Calculus III | 4 |
| PHYS 3300 | Mathematical and Computational Physics I | 3 |
| PHYS 490R | Seminar | 0.5 |
| Humanities | 3 | |
| PHIL 205G | Ethics and Values IH GI | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 18.5 | |
| Semester 4 | ||
| MATH 2280 | Ordinary Differential Equations | 3 |
| PHYS 3230 | Principles of Electronics for the Physical Sciences | 3 |
| PHYS 3120 | Modern Physics II | 3 |
| PHYS 3125 | Introduction to Experimental Physics II WE | 2 |
| PHYS 490R | Seminar | 0.5 |
| Soc/Behavioral Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 14.5 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Semester 5 | ||
| PHYS 3400 | Classical Mechanics | 3 |
| PHYS 3500 | Thermodynamics | 3 |
| Physics electives | 9 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 6 | ||
| PHYS 3330 | Mathematical and Computational Physics II | 3 |
| PHYS 3600 | Optics | 3 |
| Physics Electives | 9 | |
| PHYS 490R | Seminar | 0.5 |
| Credit Hours | 15.5 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Semester 7 | ||
| PHYS 4210 | Advanced Experimental Techniques | 3 |
| PHYS 4410 | Electrostatics and Magnetism | 3 |
| PHYS 4510 | Quantum Mechanics I | 3 |
| PHYS 499A | Senior Project | 2 |
| Physics elective | 3 | |
| PHYS 490R | Seminar | 0.5 |
| Credit Hours | 14.5 | |
| Semester 8 | ||
| PHYS 3600 | Optics | 3 |
| PHYS 4420 | Electrodynamics | 3 |
| PHYS 499B | Senior Thesis | 1 |
| Physics electives | 6 | |
| Credit Hours | 13 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120 | |
Program Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate understanding of how science and physics work in practice by correctly using evidence, experiment and observation, interpretation, physical concepts, etc.
- Apply fundamental physical concepts including conservation laws, forces, fields, energy, optics, thermal and statistical physics, relativity, and quantum mechanics.
- Use mathematics and mathematical models correctly to solve physics problems.
- Follow practices necessary for safely using laboratory equipment.
- Demonstrate understanding of the role of computation in physics and appropriate computer skills.
- Communicate effectively about physics in writing and in presentations, in both formal and informal settings.
- Demonstrate physics research skills and use ethical research practices.