Physics, Space Sciences (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.
This concentration is designed to provide the necessary foundation for the student who plans a career or further study in space sciences.
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 408C | Differential and Integral Calculus | 4 |
| CH 301 | Principles of Chemistry I | 3 |
| RHE 306 | Rhetoric and Writing | 3 |
| First-Year Signature Course (090) | 3 | |
| American and Texas Government (070) | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| M 408D | Sequences, Series, and Multivariable Calculus | 4 |
| PHY 301 | Mechanics | 3 |
| PHY 101L | Laboratory for Physics 301 | 1 |
| CH 302 | Principles of Chemistry II | 3 |
| Visual and Performing Arts (050) | 3 | |
| American and Texas Government (070) | 3 | |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| M 427J | Differential Equations with Linear Algebra | 4 |
| PHY 316 | Electricity and Magnetism | 3 |
| PHY 116L | Laboratory for Physics 316 | 1 |
| Hours chosen from: AST, BIO, GEO | 3 | |
| Foreign Language other than English, Beginning Proficiency | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| M 427L | Advanced Calculus for Applications II | 4 |
| PHY 315 | Wave Motion and Optics | 3 |
| PHY 115L | Laboratory for Physics 315 | 1 |
| PHY 355 | Modern Physics and Thermodynamics | 3 |
| Foreign Language other than English, Beginning Proficiency | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| PHY 353L | Modern Physics Laboratory | 3 |
| PHY 336K | Classical Dynamics | 3 |
| Hours chosen from: Upper-division Math | 3 | |
| Hours chosen from: AST, BIO, or GEO | 3 | |
| U.S. History (060) | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| PHY 373 | Quantum Physics I: Foundations | 3 |
| PHY 352K | Classical Electrodynamics I | 3 |
| Hours chosen from: Upper-division Math | 3 | |
| Hours chosen from: Upper-division ASE | 3 | |
| U.S. History (060) | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| PHY 329 | Introduction to Computational Physics | 3 |
| PHY 369 | Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics | 3 |
| Hours chosen from: Upper-division ASE | 3 | |
| Hours chosen from: Upper-division ASE | 3 | |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (080) | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| PHY 362K | Quantum Physics II: Atoms and Molecules | 3 |
| Hours chosen from: Upper-division ASE | 3 | |
| Hours chosen from: Upper-division ASE | 3 | |
| Humanities (040) | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 2 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| 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 | ||
| CH 301 | Principles of Chemistry I | 3 |
| or CH 301C | Foundations of Chemistry I | |
| CH 302 | Principles of Chemistry II | 3 |
| or CH 302C | Foundations of Chemistry II | |
| Hours chosen from: Biology, geological sciences, or astronomy (A course may not fulfill this requirement if it does not count toward major requirements in its department) | 6 | |
| M 408C | Differential and Integral Calculus | 4 |
| M 408D | Sequences, Series, and Multivariable Calculus (or the equivalent) | 4 |
| Hours chosen from: | 4 | |
| Differential Equations with Linear Algebra | ||
| Advanced Calculus for Applications I and Advanced Calculus for Applications II | ||
| Hours chosen from: Upper-division in mathematics (M 340L, M 361, and M 362K; only courses at the level of calculus and above may be counted toward the total number of hours required for the degree) | 6 | |
| PHY 329 | Introduction to Computational Physics (or equivalent) | 3 |
| PHY 336K | Classical Dynamics (or equivalent) | 3 |
| PHY 352K | Classical Electrodynamics I (or equivalent) | 3 |
| PHY 353L | Modern Physics Laboratory (or equivalent) | 3 |
| PHY 355 | Modern Physics and Thermodynamics (or equivalent) | 3 |
| PHY 362K | Quantum Physics II: Atoms and Molecules (or equivalent) | 3 |
| PHY 369 | Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics (or equivalent) | 3 |
| PHY 373 | Quantum Physics I: Foundations (or equivalent) | 3 |
| Hours chosen from: | 15 | |
Upper-division aerospace engineering | ||
Twelve hours aerospace engineering and three hours upper-division physics | ||
| Subtotal | 69 | |
| Major (see details below) | 12 | |
| Degree (see details below) | 6 | |
| Free electives: Additional coursework to reach total hours required. | 9 | |
| Subtotal | 27 | |
| General Education | ||
| Remaining Core Curriculum (42 hours total) | 30 | |
| Foreign Language other than English, Beginning Proficiency | ||
| Subtotal | 30 | |
| College Requirements - Natural Sciences | ||
| General University Requirements | ||
| Total Hours | 126 | |
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.