Physics, Physics Honors (BSPhy)
All aspects of the physical universe are of interest to the physicist, who seeks to understand not only the smallest forms of matter and the rich phenomena present in our everyday lives but also the universe itself. Physics has played a critical role in human technological and intellectual development during the twentieth century. The tools of the physicist—observation, imagination, model building, prediction, and deduction—will enable physics to continue this influence into the new century. The Bachelor of Science in Physics degree program is designed to provide the skills, understanding, and outlook required for participation in the discovery of new knowledge about nature.
The Bachelor of Science in Physics program is balanced and broad. It is designed to give the student a strong foundation for graduate study or work in physics and, with additional training, for work in a variety of other areas, such as astronomy, astrophysics, biophysics, chemical physics, computer science, engineering, geophysics, mathematics, medicine, physics teaching, and space sciences. Students who end their formal training with the bachelor’s degree may seek employment in industry, in national laboratories, or in teaching; they should consider the options in computation, radiation physics, space sciences, biophysics, and teaching, which augment the broad instruction provided by the basic Bachelor of Science in Physics. Students who plan to follow Physics Honors, must be admitted to the Dean’s Scholars Honors Program.
Total Hours Required: 126
Plan of Study
The Plan of Study is a suggested four-year course sequence to support academic planning and serves as a helpful guide. Currently enrolled students should meet with their academic advisor to tailor their course selections and timelines to their individual goals and circumstances.
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Hours | |
| M 427L | Advanced Calculus for Applications II | 4 |
| PHY 301 | Mechanics | 3 |
| PHY 101L | Laboratory for Physics 301 | 1 |
| RHE 306 | Rhetoric and Writing | 3 |
| First-Year Signature Course (090) | 3 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| M 427J or M 427J |
Differential Equations with Linear Algebra or Differential Equations with Linear Algebra |
4 |
| PHY 316 | Electricity and Magnetism | 3 |
| PHY 116L | Laboratory for Physics 316 | 1 |
| Visual and Performing Arts (050) | 3 | |
| American and Texas Government (070) | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| PHY 315 | Wave Motion and Optics | 3 |
| PHY 115L | Laboratory for Physics 315 | 1 |
| PHY 355 | Modern Physics and Thermodynamics | 3 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (080) | 3 | |
| Liberal Arts/Fine Arts course | 3 | |
| CH 301C | Foundations of Chemistry I | 3 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| PHY 353L | Modern Physics Laboratory | 3 |
| PHY 336K | Classical Dynamics | 3 |
| M 340L | Matrices and Matrix Calculations | 3 |
| CH 302C | Foundations of Chemistry II | 3 |
| RHE 309S | Critical Reading and Persuasive Writing | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| PHY 373 | Quantum Physics I: Foundations | 3 |
| PHY 352K | Classical Electrodynamics I | 3 |
| M 361 | Theory of Functions of a Complex Variable | 3 |
| BIO 315H | Advanced Introduction to Genetics: Honors | 3 |
| U.S. History (060) | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| PHY 369 | Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics | 3 |
| PHY 362K | Quantum Physics II: Atoms and Molecules | 3 |
| Humanities (040) | 3 | |
| BIO 325H | Genetics: Honors | 3 |
| U.S. History (060) | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| PHY 371C | Individual Study in Physics | 3 |
| PHY 362L | Quantum Physics III: Particles and Nuclei | 3 |
| Liberal Arts/Fine Arts course | 3 | |
| Upper-division research course | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 18 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| PHY 379H | Honors Tutorial Course | 3 |
| PHY 474 | Advanced Laboratory I | 4 |
| American and Texas Government (070) | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Total Hours | 126 | |
Requirements
All requirements are listed below, starting with the most specialized moving to the most general. Additional requirements may follow the table, so be sure to read the entire page. Some required courses listed below may also satisfy General Education requirements, including Core Curriculum.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Concentration | ||
| Honors Breadth Requirement (credit earned by examination may not be counted toward this requirement) | 20 | |
| Foundations of Chemistry I and Foundations of Chemistry II | ||
| Differential Equations with Linear Algebra and Advanced Calculus for Applications II (at least one of the math courses must be a designated honors section) | ||
Hours chosen from: Honors courses in the college | ||
Hours chosen from: Honors-designated course from a department in the college outside of mathematics | ||
| M X40L & M X61 | Matrices and Matrix Calculations and Theory of Functions of a Complex Variable | 6 |
| PHY 336K | Classical Dynamics | 3 |
| PHY 352K | Classical Electrodynamics I | 3 |
| PHY 353L | Modern Physics Laboratory | 3 |
| PHY 355 | Modern Physics and Thermodynamics | 3 |
| PHY 362K | Quantum Physics II: Atoms and Molecules | 3 |
| PHY 362L | Quantum Physics III: Particles and Nuclei | 3 |
| PHY 369 | Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics | 3 |
| PHY 373 | Quantum Physics I: Foundations | 3 |
| PHY 474 | Advanced Laboratory I | 4 |
| First-Year Signature Course (090) (a section that is approved by the departmental honors advisor) | 3 | |
| Coursework approved by the departmental honors advisor | 10 | |
| Hours chosen from: | 3 | |
| Planning Your Capstone Experience | ||
| Health Science Scholars Capstone Experience Preparation | ||
| Polymathic Capstone Field Invention | ||
| Hours chosen from: | 6 | |
| Individual Study in Physics and Honors Tutorial Course | ||
| Natural Sciences Topics and Capstone Thesis Seminar | ||
| Hours chosen from: the College of Liberal Arts and/or the College of Fine Arts | 6 | |
| Subtotal | 82 | |
| Major (see details below) | 12 | |
| Degree (see details below) | 6 | |
| Free electives: Additional coursework to reach total hours required. | 2 | |
| Subtotal | 20 | |
| General Education | ||
| Remaining Core Curriculum (42 hours total) | 24 | |
| Foreign Language other than English, Beginning Proficiency | ||
| Subtotal | 24 | |
| College Requirements - Natural Sciences | ||
| General University Requirements | ||
| Total Hours | 126 | |
Additional Requirements and Policy
To graduate under Physics Honors, students must remain in good standing in the Dean’s Scholars, Health Science Scholars, or Polymathic Scholars Honors Program. Students must also submit an honors thesis, and present their research in an approved public forum, such as the college’s annual Undergraduate Research Forum. More information about the Undergraduate Research Forum is available at https://cns.utexas.edu/.
Major-Physics (BSPhy)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PHY 301 | Mechanics | 3 |
| PHY 101L | Laboratory for Physics 301 | 1 |
| PHY 316 | Electricity and Magnetism | 3 |
| PHY 116L | Laboratory for Physics 316 | 1 |
| PHY 315 | Wave Motion and Optics | 3 |
| PHY 115L | Laboratory for Physics 315 | 1 |
| Total Hours | 12 | |
Degree-Bachelor of Science in Physics
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign Language/Culture Choices | ||
| One of the following foreign language/culture choices: (Students in Teaching and Physics Honors concentrations are exempt from this requirement) | 6 | |
First course in a foreign language and a three-semester-hour course in the culture of the same language area | ||
| Total Hours | 6 | |
Additional Requirements and Policies
Students in all options must fulfill both the University's General Requirements for graduation and the college requirements. They must also earn a grade of at least C- in each mathematics and science course required for the degree, and a grade point average in these courses of at least 2.00. More information about grades and the grade point average is given in the General Information Catalog.
Upper-division Coursework
At least 21 semester hours of upper-division coursework, including at least 12 semester hours of upper-division coursework in physics, must be completed in residence at the University.