Physics- Bachelor of Science
For information, contact the Department of Physics, 217 Kreger Hall, 513-529-5625.
The Physics B.S. degree prepares students for graduate study or employment in physics and related fields, including applied and engineering physics, biophysics, biomedical engineering, medical school, teacher licensure in physics, or careers in business or law. Students are encouraged to speak with a Department advisor early in order to select the most appropriate advanced coursework for their career goals.
Teacher Licensure
Students who wish to combine teacher licensure with an Arts and Science major must observe the rules, procedures, and restrictions pertaining to admission to a licensure cohort as outlined in the College of Education, Health and Society chapter. For information, contact the Office of Student Services in the College of Education, Health and Society, 202 McGuffey Hall, 513-529-6418.
Program Requirements
(54-63 credit hours, plus 15 related hours)
Core Requirements and Related Hours
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core requirements (25 credit hours) | ||
| PHY 181 | General Physics I | 4 |
| PHY 182 | General Physics II | 4 |
| PHY 183 | General Physics Laboratory I | 1 |
| PHY 184 | General Physics Laboratory II | 1 |
| PHY 281 | Contemporary Physics I: Foundations | 3 |
| PHY 282 | Contemporary Physics II: Frontiers | 3 |
| PHY 286 | Introduction to Computational Physics | 3 |
| PHY 292 | Electronic Instrumentation | 2 |
| PHY 293 | Contemporary Physics Laboratory | 2 |
| PHY 294 | Laboratory in Electronic Instrumentation | 2 |
| PHY 401 | Physics Assessment Examination | 0 |
| Related hours (15 credit hours) | ||
| MTH 151 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MTH 222 | Introduction to Linear Algebra | 3 |
| MTH 251 | Calculus II | 4 |
| MTH 252 | Calculus III | 4 |
| Total Credit Hours | 40 | |
Advanced Coursework
In addition to the core requirements and related hours, advanced coursework is required. Complete the following advanced coursework OR select one concentration.
Designed for students interested in the applied or engineering physics, or the interdisciplinary study of physics.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Coursework (at least 29 credit hours) | ||
| PHY 483 | Mathematical Methods in Physics | 4 |
| Any one of PHY 437, PHY 451, PHY 461, or PHY 491. | 4 | |
| Any PHY course numbered 400 and above excluding seminar and independent study. | 3-4 | |
| Any second major, co-major, or minor. 1 | 18+ | |
| Total Credit Hours | 29+ | |
- 1
For an applied or engineering physics emphasis, select a second major or minor from the College of Engineering and Computing. For a biomedical engineering emphasis, the Concentration in Biological Physics is the recommended advanced coursework option.
Concentration in Advanced Physics
Designed for students intending graduate study in physics or for students interested in a broad theoretical background in physics.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Coursework (32-34 credit hours) | ||
| MTH 347 | Differential Equations | 3 |
| PHY 437 | Intermediate Thermodynamics and Introduction to Statistical Physics | 4 |
| PHY 451 | Classical Mechanics | 4 |
| PHY 461 | Electromagnetic Theory | 4 |
| PHY 483 | Mathematical Methods in Physics | 4 |
| PHY 491 | Introduction to Quantum Mechanics I | 4 |
| PHY 488 | Research Capstone in Physics | 3 |
| Select one advanced laboratory course from the following: | 3-4 | |
| Optics and Laser Physics | ||
| Spectroscopy of Atoms and Molecules | ||
| Advanced Electronics | ||
| Advanced Computational Physics | ||
| Select one advanced elective from the following or an additional advanced laboratory course: | 3-4 | |
| Molecular and Cellular Biophysics | ||
PHY 422 | ||
| Seismology | ||
| Gravitation and Spacetime | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 32-34 | |
Concentration in Biological Physics
Designed for students interested in biophysics, physics-based biomedical fields, or medical school. The Physics B.S. with a Concentration in Biological Physics satisfies at least 39 of the 61-66 hours required of the Premedical and Pre-Health Studies Co-Major.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Coursework (35-38 credit hours) | ||
| BIO 116 | Biological Concepts: Structure, Function, Cellular, and Molecular Biology | 4 |
| CHM 141 | College Chemistry | 3 |
| CHM 142 | College Chemistry | 3 |
| CHM 144 | College Chemistry Laboratory | 2 |
| CHM 145 | College Chemistry Laboratory | 2 |
| CHM 241 | Organic Chemistry | 3 |
| CHM 244 | Organic Chemistry Laboratory | 2 |
| PHY 421 | Molecular and Cellular Biophysics | 4 |
| or PHY 422 | ||
| STA 301 | Applied Statistics | 3 |
| Any one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Introduction to Cell Biology | ||
| General Microbiology | ||
| Any one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Differential Equations | ||
| Mathematical Methods in Physics | ||
| Any PHY course numbered 400 and above excluding seminar and independent study. | 3-4 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 35-38 | |