Physics (B.S.)

Program: B.S.
Department of Physics
College of Arts and Sciences

Kettler Hall 126B ~ 260-481-6306 ~ ipfw.edu/physics/

The Physics program can prepare you for careers in science and industry or teaching. It can also prepare you for graduate study in physics, medical physics, engineering, law and medicine. Within the physics program, there are four possible concentrations in addition to the “standard” Physics major: Optoelectronics and Biomedical Physics, Engineering Physics and Computational Physics. If you are interested in high school teaching, you may be interested in physical science teaching certification (listed separately in this Bulletin).

You may also earn a Research Certificate by participating in research. See description listed separately in (Programs ) of this Bulletin.

If interested in pursuing a teaching license in Physics, contact the Department of Educational Studies .

The student learning outcomes for the degree are as follows:

reason about physically significant problems conceptually and mathematically
solve complex physical problems using sophisticated mathematical techniques
interpret mathematical solutions conceptually and physically
investigate physical phenomena using multiple approaches
use computation and computer modeling to investigate physical phenomena and solve physical problems
communicate in appropriate scientific media and forms

Program Delivery:

This program is available on-campus

Declaring this major:

You must declare this major within the Department of Physics .

General Requirements:

Program Requirements:

Physics 15200, 21800, and 22000 must be repeated with a grade of C- or below

To earn the B.S. with a major in physics, you must fulfill the requirements of IPFW (Regulations ) and the College of Arts and Sciences (Colleges ), in addition to the following requirements:

PFW General Education Requirements Credits: 33

Click on General Education Requirements link above.

College of Arts and Sciences Requirements

English Writing and Speaking

Clck on PFW College Requirements link above. (See Arts and Sciences Part A for Speaking requirement)

ENG W233 - Intermediate Expository Writing Cr. 3.

Foreign Language

Requirements in Arts and Sciences Part B Credits: 8

Core and Concentration (Major) Courses

PHYS 15200 - Mechanics Cr. 5.
PHYS 25100 - Heat, Electricity, and Optics Cr. 5.
PHYS 30500 - Intermediate Mathematics Physics Cr. 3.
PHYS 31000 - Intermediate Mechanics Cr. 4.
PHYS 31200 - Intermediate Electricity and Magnetism Cr. 3.
PHYS 32200 - Optics Cr. 3.
PHYS 32500 - Scientific Computing Cr. 3.
PHYS 34200 - Modern Physics Cr. 3.
PHYS 34300 - Modern Physics Laboratory Cr. 1.
PHYS 34500 - Optics Laboratory I Cr. 1.
PHYS 34600 - Advanced Laboratory I Cr. 1.
PHYS 36100 - Electronics for Scientists Cr. 4.
PHYS 41310 - Intermediate Electricity and Magnetism II Cr. 3.
PHYS 41800 - Thermal and Statistical Physics Cr. 3.
PHYS 44200 - Quantum Mechanics Cr. 3.
PHYS 48001 - Senior Thesis I Cr. 3.
PHYS 48002 - Senior Thesis II Cr. 0.

Supporting Courses

CHM 11500 - General Chemistry Cr. 4.
CHM 11600 - General Chemistry Cr. 4.
MA 16500 - Analytic Geometry and Calculus I Cr. 4.
MA 16600 - Analytic Geometry and Calculus II Cr. 4.
MA 26100 - Multivariate Calculus Cr. 4.
MA 35100 - Elementary Linear Algebra Cr. 3.
MA 36300 - Differential Equations Cr. 3.

General Elective Courses

Sufficient additional credits to bring the total to 120.

Student Responsibility

You are responsible for satisfying the graduation requirements specified for your selected program. Thus, it is essential that you develop a thorough understanding of the required courses, academic policies, and procedures governing your academic career. All requests for exceptions to specific requirements must be made in writing and may be granted only by written approval from the appropriate chair or dean.