Physics (B.S.)

Program: B.S.
Department of Physics
College of Science

Kettler Hall 126B ~ 260-481-6306

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: Biomedical Physics; Computational Physics; Engineering Physics; and Optoelectronics and Photonics Physics. You may also earn a Research Certificate by participating in research. For details on these programs, see Program Descriptions in this Catalog.

For details on pursuing a secondary education second degree (BSEd) to teach Physics in middle school/high school, click on the links to the Secondary Education - Second Degree Program and the School of Education page in this catalog. Note: The BSEd as a second degree in these programs cannot be earned without completion of the bachelor’s degree in the content area from the College of Science. See Program Requirements below for a link to the Secondary Education - Second Degree 4-Year Plan.

Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this degree, students will be able to:

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:

Declare this major within the Department of Physics .

General Requirements:

To earn the B.S. with a major in Physics, you must fulfill the following requirements in addition to the General Requirements noted above:

Program Requirements:

Physics BS 4-Year Plan:

Physics 15200 must be repeated if a grade of C- or below is received
A grade of C- or above in all supporting courses is required
A maximum of one grade below C- is allowed except for in supporting courses
A GPA of 2.00 or higher for all courses taken for the major.

Physics BS with Secondary Education 4-Year Plan:

General Education Requirements: Credits 33

Click on the Purdue Fort Wayne General Education Requirements link above for details.
Some majors may require particular General Education courses as specified in their program description. Up to six credits of approved General Education courses satisfying requirements in Areas A and B, and three credits satisfying requirements in Area C, may originate in the major. A grade of C- or higher in each course, and an overall GPA of 2.0 is required to satisfy the Purdue Fort Wayne General Education Requirements.

English Writing and Speaking: Credits 6

In addition to the General Education writing course (ENGL 13100) or equivalent), you are required to complete ENGL 23301 or an equivalent second writing course. You are also required to complete COM 11400 or an equivalent oral communication course. Courses meeting these requirements require a grade of C- or better. Click on the PFW College of Science link above for more details.

Language: Credits 6

You must complete two courses at the first-year level in a single international language or in American Sign Language (or demonstrate equivalent proficiency). Click on the PFW College of Science link above for more details.

Core Physics Major Courses: Credits 22

PHYS 15200 - Mechanics Cr. 5.
PHYS 17000 - Special Topics In Physics Cr. 1-4.
- taken as First Year Seminar Cr. 2.
PHYS 25100 - Heat, Electricity, And Optics Cr. 5.
PHYS 34200 - Modern Physics Cr. 3.
PHYS 34300 - Modern Physics Laboratory Cr. 1.
PHYS 44200 - Quantum Mechanics Cr. 3.
PHYS 48001 - Senior Thesis I Cr. 3.
PHYS 48002 - Senior Thesis II Cr. 0.

Core Supporting Courses: Credits 16

CHM 11500 - 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.
or

Additional Physics Major Courses: Credits 28

PHYS 30500 - Intermediate Mathematics Physics Cr. 3.
PHYS 31000 - Intermediate Mechanics Cr. 4.
PHYS 31200 - Intermediate Electricity And Magnetism Cr. 3.
or
ECE 31100 - Electric And Magnetic Fields Cr. 3.
PHYS 32200 - Optics Cr. 3.
PHYS 32500 - Scientific Computing Cr. 3.
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.

Additional Supporting Courses: Credits 10

CHM 11600 - General Chemistry Cr. 4.
MA 35100 - Elementary Linear Algebra Cr. 3.
MA 36300 - Differential Equations Cr. 3.

General Electives

Sufficient additional credits to bring the total to 120

Total Credits: 120

Student Responsibility

You are responsible for ensuring that you satisfy all graduation requirements specified for each selected program. Thus, it is essential that you develop a thorough understanding of the required courses, academic policies, and procedures governing your academic career. If you cannot complete all program requirements by your stated graduation date but fail to remove those from your plan of study, the Registrar’s Office in consultation with your academic advisor will remove unmet pursuits from your plan of study. Changing curricular records during the graduation term of application may affect state or federal financial aid awards. 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.