Physics (B.S.) with Concentration In Optoelectronics And Photonics

Program Requirements:

Physics Optoelectronics-Photonics 4-Year Plan:  

• PHYS 15200 must be repeated if a grade of C- or below is received.
• A GPA of 2.00 or higher for all courses taken for the major.
• 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.
• New PHYS courses approved and added to the curriculum in future Catalogs may satisfy major requirements.
• Transfer students with 30+ credits are not required to take the Freshman Success seminar if they haven’t previously taken such a course.
• Physics majors completing a major, minor, or associate degree outside the Physics department will have foreign language and ENGL 23301 requirements waived for their Physics program. Note: These courses may still be required for the non-Physics program.

General Education: Credits 30

Effective Fall 2025, the General Education program at PFW requires 30 credits to be completed, such that students pass each course listed below with a grade of C- or better:

• Category A. Foundational Intellectual Skills (Foundational Intellectual Skills Course Lists)   
  • One course in A1. Written Communication Cr. 3. 
  • One course in A2. Speaking and Listening Cr. 3.
  • One course in A3. Quantitative Reasoning Cr. 3.
• Category B. Ways of Knowing (Ways of Knowing Course Lists)   
  • One course in B4. Scientific Ways of Knowing Cr. 3.
  • One course in B5. Social and Behavioral Ways of Knowing Cr. 3.
  • One course in B6. Humanistic Ways of Knowing Cr. 3.
  • One course in B7. Artistic Ways or Knowing Cr. 3.
  • One course in B8. Interdisciplinary Ways of Knowing Cr. 3.
• Six additional credits from any Foundational Skills (A1-A3) or Ways of Knowing (B4-B8) categories
• At least one Ways of Knowing course that is designated as having a focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, and/or global awareness

Some programs recommend courses and/or require a specific course as part of the major that may also be used to fulfill General Education requirements. Please see below or your Academic Advisor for courses that fulfill both purposes.  You can familiarize yourself with other program regulations at General Education Requirements .

English Writing and Speaking: Credits 6

Both courses require a grade of C- or better

• ENGL 23301 - Intermediate Expository Writing Cr. 3.
• COM 11400 - Fundamentals Of Speech Communication Cr. 3.

Language: Credits 6

Two courses at the first-year level in a single International Language or in American Sign Language (or demonstrate equivalent proficiency).  

Note:  if you begin these courses at PFW at the second-semester level or higher, you and your advisor are eligible to apply for special course credits after successful completion of the course into which you placed.  Non-native English speaking students and those with other language transfer credits should contact the College’s Student Success Center.

Physics Major Core 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.

Supporting Core 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.

Concentration in Optoelectronics and Photonics

General Electives

•  Sufficient additional credits to bring the total to 120.

Total Credits: 120 minimum

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. 

Additional Course Use:

COM 11400 required; HIST 12500 accepted
ENGL 23301 required; ENGL 20201, HIST 21700, ILCS 30000, POL 20700, WOST 23000 accepted
PHYS 17000 taken as First Year Seminar required; BIOL 12000, CHM 19400, MA 10500 accepted