Schedule
of Studies
The
Department of Physics has developed a variety of options for
students seeking a major in Physics. For most of these options
the program in the first two years is the same and will be
referred to as the "standard program". Additions
to the standard program will be noted in some specific options.
The program of courses below is appropriate for students who
have had a good experience with The Calculus in high school
and wish to start physics in the first semester at WSU (even
though the student may be placed in MATH 171, if their high
school grades for the year course were B or better they can
follow this schedule of study). Students who have placed in
MATH 172 can accelerate the math sequence . A student who
has not had calculus in high school should defer Physics 201
to the spring semester or until they have completed Math 171.
Upon consultation with the departmental advisor, modifications
can be made in the list of required courses to fit the needs
of individual students . Note that in all of the programs
that follow, the minors listed are possible if the student
applies to the respective department before graduation. The
minors are never automatically issued. In some Options the
course work is close to that required for a minor but the
student must negotiate with the relevant department to finalize
that minor program. These options are listed as "possibly"
offering the minor.
A
student may certify as a Physics major after completing 30
credits (preferably including Phys 201 and Math 171) with
a cumulative gpa of 2.0 or better. A research experience is
required of all students as a 499 project, however to gain
valuable work experience outside of the University, students
are strongly urged to participate in an internship or research
experience in industry or a government lab outside of WSU.
The summer after the junior year is the most appropriate time
for this experience. All students are required to submit an
undergraduate thesis to a committee of two Physics faculty
members in the senior year. Physics 490 will give credit for
this effort. The student must earn a C (2.0) or better grade
in each of the "Required Physics Courses".
Notes:
1:
GER = General Education requirements (see the University Bulletin).
2:
MATH(3) or (6) = Six hours of MATH beyond 315 are required.
Approved choices include MATH 340, 360, 375, 401, 402,
415, 420, 440, 441, 443, 448. Italicized entries
are recommended
3:
499 = One hour of 499 in an appropriate department or Physics
is required. Additional hours of Physics 499 may be taken
for credit
| FRESHMAN
YEAR |
|
|
|
| Fall
Semester |
Hours |
Spring
Semester |
Hours |
| Phys
201 Classical Physics |
4 |
Phys
202 Classical Physics |
4 |
| Math
171 Calculus I |
4 |
Math
172 Calculus II |
4 |
Engl
101 or placement |
3 |
Chem
105 Principles |
4 |
GenEd
110 or 111 and/or GER |
3-6 |
GER |
3 |
|
|
|
|
SOPHOMORE
YEAR |
|
|
|
Fall
Semester |
|
Spring
Semester |
|
Phys
303 Modern Physics I |
3 |
Phys
304 Modern Physics II |
3 |
Chem
106 Principles |
4 |
Phys
330 Thermal Physics |
3 |
Math
273 Math III |
2 |
Cpt
S 150 Program Design & Dev. |
4 |
Math
220 Linear Algebra |
2 |
Math
315 Differential Equations |
3 |
Engl
402 Tech/Prof Writing |
3 |
GER |
3 |
OPTION
A: PHYSICS - STANDARD
(This
program yields a Bachelor of Science in Physics Degree with
a minor in Mathematics)
JUNIOR
YEAR
Phys
320 Mechanics, Phys 341 - Phys 342 Electricity & Magnetism,
Phys 415 [M]Quantum Lab, Math (6), GER or Electives (6)
SENIOR
YEAR
Phys
410 Electronics Laboratory, Phys 412 Modern Optics Lab, Physics
443 Optics, Phys 450 Quantum Mechanics, Phys 463 Solid State
Physics, Phys 465 Nuclear Physics, Phys 4?? or Math 4??(3),
Phys 490 [M]Undergraduate Thesis, Phys 499 Special Problems,
OPTION
B: TECHNICAL PHYSICS
(This
program yields a Bachelor of Science in Physics Degree with
a minor in Mathematics)
SOPHOMORE
YEAR (In addition to the standard program)
EE
214 Design of Logic Circuits,
JUNIOR
YEAR
Phys
320 Mechanics, Phys 341 - Phys 342 Electricity & Magnetism,
Phys 415 [M] Quantum Lab, EE 261 Electrical Circuits, EE 262
Electrical Circuits Laboratory, EE 311 Electronics, Math (6),
GER or Electives (6)
SENIOR
YEAR
Phys
410 Electronics Laboratory, Phys 412 Modern Optics Lab, Physics
443 Optics, Phys 450 Quantum Mechanics, Phys 463 Solid State
Physics, Phys 465 Nuclear Physics, Phys 490 [M]Undergraduate
Thesis, EE 352 E. E. Laboratory I, Phys 499 Special Problems
(3 cr),
OPTION
C: ASTROPHYSICS
(This
program yields a Bachelor of Science in Physics Degree with
minors in Mathematics and Astronomy)
SOPHOMORE
YEAR (In addition to the standard program)
Phys
345 Astronomy,
JUNIOR
YEAR
Phys
320 Mechanics, Phys 341 - Phys 342 Electricity & Magnetism,
Phys 415 [M]Quantum Lab, Phys 435 Astronomy and Astrophysics,
Astr 390 Night Sky, Math(6) GER or Electives (6)
SENIOR
YEAR
Phys
410 Electronics Laboratory, Phys 412 Modern Optics Lab, Physics
443 Optics, Phys 450 Quantum Mechanics, Phys 461 Atomic &
Molecular Physics, Phys 465 Nuclear Physics, Phys 490 [M]Undergraduate
Thesis, ASTR 499 Special Problems, Phys 538 Topics in Modern
Astrophysics
OPTION
D: BIOPHYSICS
(This
program yields a Bachelor of Science in Physics Degree with
minors in Mathematics and possibly Biochemistry)
SOPHOMORE
YEAR (In addition to the standard program)
Bio
S 103 - 104 Introductory Biology,
JUNIOR
YEAR
Phys
320 Mechanics, Phys 341 - Phys 342 Electricity & Magnetism,
Phys 415 [M] Quantum Lab, Math (3), GER or Electives (6),
Chem 340 Organic Chemistry, Chem 342 Organic Chemistry, BC/BP
364 Introductory Biochemistry
SENIOR
YEAR
Phys
410 Electronics Laboratory, Phys 450 Quantum Mechanics, Phys
490 [M]Undergraduate Thesis, Phys 461 Atomic and Molecular
Physics, Phys 463 Solid State Physics,, Math (3), BC/BP 463
General Biochemistry, BC/BP472 Principles of Biophysical Chemistry,
BC/BP482 Biophysical Chem. Lab, BC/BP 499 (1) Special Problems
OPTION
E: ENVIRONMENTAL PHYSICS
(This
program yields a Bachelor of Science in Physics Degree with
minors in Mathematics and Environmental Science)
FRESHMAN
YEAR (In addition to the standard program)
ES/RP101
Environment and Human Life
SOPHOMORE
YEAR (In addition to the standard program)
Bio
S 103 - 104 Introductory Biology,
JUNIOR
YEAR
Phys
320 Mechanics, Phys 341 - Phys 342 Electricity & Magnetism,
Phys 410 Electronics Laboratory, Phys 415 [M] Quantum Lab,
Math, Chem 340 Organic Chemistry, BIO S 372 General Ecology,
ES/RP 335 Environmental Policy, GER or Electives (6)
SENIOR
YEAR
Phys
450 Quantum Mechanics, Phys 463 Solid State Physics, Phys
465 Nuclear Physics, ES/RP 404 The Ecosystem, ES/RP 444 Environmental
Assessment, ES/RP 445 Hazardous Waste Management, Phys 490
[M]Undergraduate Thesis, ES/RP 499 Special Problems,
OPTION
F: MATERIALS SCIENCE
(This
program yields a Bachelor of Science in Physics Degree with
minors in Mathematics and possibly in Material Science)
JUNIOR
YEAR
Phys
320 Mechanics, Phys 341 - Phys 342 Electricity & Magnetism,
Phys 415 [M]Quantum Lab, Math(6), Chem 331 Physical Chemistry,
Chem 333 Physical Chemistry Laboratory, MSE 301 Materials
Science, MSE 312 Thermodynamics and Phase equilibria, GER
or Electives (6)
SENIOR
YEAR
Phys
410 Electronics Laboratory, Phys 450 Quantum Mechanics, Phys
463 Solid State Physics, Phys 465 Nuclear Physics, MSE 314
Equilibrium Diagrams, MSE 321 Materials Characterization,
2 MSE 4?? (6) , Phys 490 [M]Undergraduate Thesis, MSE 499
Special Problems
OPTION
G: MATHEMATICAL PHYSICS
(This
program yields a Bachelor of Science in Physics Degree with
a second major in Mathematics)
JUNIOR
YEAR
Phys
320 Mechanics, Phys 341 - Phys 342 Electricity & Magnetism,
Phys 415 [M] Quantum Lab, Math 398 Mathematical Snapshots,
Math 401 Introduction to Analysis I, Math 402 Introduction
to Analysis II,, Math 420 Linear Algebra, Math 421 Algebraic
Structures, Math (3), GER or Electives (6)
SENIOR
YEAR
Phys
410 Electronics Laboratory, Phys 450 Quantum Mechanics, Phys
463 Solid State Physics, Phys 465 Nuclear Physics, Math (9),
Phys 490 [M]Undergraduate Thesis, Phys (or MATH) 499 Special
Problems
OPTION
H: OPTICS AND ELECTRONICS
(This
program yields a Bachelor of Science in Physics Degree with
a minor in Mathematics and possibly in Electrical Engineering)
SOPHOMORE
YEAR (In addition to the standard program)
EE
214 Design of Logic Circuits,
JUNIOR
YEAR
Phys
320 Mechanics, Phys 341 - Phys 342 Electricity & Magnetism,
Phys 410 Electronics Laboratory, Phys 415 [M] Quantum Lab,
Math(6), EE 261 Electrical circuits I, EE 262 Electrical Circuits
Lab., EE 351 Distributed Parameter Systems, GER or Electives
(6),
SENIOR
YEAR
Phys
412 Modern Optics Lab, Phys 443 Optics, Phys 450 Quantum Mechanics,
Phys 463 Solid State Physics, EE 314 Microprocessor Systems,
EE 431 UHF and Microwave Circuits, EE 496 Introduction to
Semiconductor Device Theory, Phys 490 [M]Undergraduate Thesis,
EE 499 Special Problems
OPTION
I: PHYSICS EDUCATION
(This
program yields a Bachelor of Science in Physics Degree with
a minor in Mathematics and a Primary endorsement to teach
Physics and a Supporting endorsement to teach Mathematics)
FRESHMAN
YEAR (In addition to the standard program)
Psych
105 Introductory Psychology
SOPHOMORE
YEAR (In addition to the standard program)
T
& L 300 Intro. Field Experience, SpCom 102 Public Speaking
JUNIOR
YEAR
Phys
320 Mechanics, Phys 341 - Phys 342 Electricity & Magnetism,
Phys 415 [M] Quantum Lab, Math 303 Higher Geometry, Math 360
Probability and Statistics, Ed PSY 301 Educational Psychology,
T & L 303 Teaching in Secondary Schools, T & L 499
Special Problems (1), GER or Electives (6),
SENIOR
YEAR
Phys
410 Electronics Laboratory, Phys 450 Quantum Mechanics, Ed
PSY 402 Classroom Assessment, Secondary, T & L 317/318
Secondary Practicum and Seminar, T & L 328 Classroom Management
, T & L 404 Social Foundations of Curriculum, T &
L 450/451 Content Literacy in Middle and Secondary Schools,
Phys 490 [M]Undergraduate Thesis, Phys 499 Special Problems,
GER or Electives (3),
OFF
CAMPUS PRACTICE TEACHING
T
& L 415 (16)
OPTION
J: COMPUTER PHYSICS
(This
program yields a Bachelor of Science in Physics Degree with
a minor in Mathematics and possibly in Computer Science)
FRESHMAN
YEAR (In addition to the standard program)
Cpt
S 150 Program Design & Dev., Cpt S 250 Advanced Programming
SOPHOMORE
YEAR (In addition to the standard program)
EE
214 Design of Logic Circuits,
JUNIOR
YEAR
Phys
320 Mechanics, Phys 341 - Phys 342 Electricity & Magnetism,
Math 216 Discrete structures, Math (6), Cpt S 330 Numerical
Computing (4), Cpt S 360 Systems Programming (4), EE 314 Microprocessor
Systems, GER or Electives (6),
SENIOR
YEAR
Phys
410 Electronics Laboratory, Phys 415 [M] Quantum Lab, Phys
450 Quantum Mechanics, Phys 463 Solid State Physics, Cpt S
4?? (6), Phys 490 [M]Undergraduate Thesis, Cpt S 499 Special
Problems,
OPTION
K: CONTINUUM PHYSICS AND ACOUSTICS
(This
program yields a Bachelor of Science in Physics Degree with
a minor in Mathematics)
JUNIOR
YEAR
Phys
320 Mechanics, Phys 341 - Phys 342 Electricity & Magnetism,
Phys 415 [M] Quantum Lab, Math, ME 303 Fluid Dynamics, ME
424 Flow of Compressible Fluids, GER or Electives (6)
SENIOR
YEAR
Phys
410 Electronics Laboratory, Phys 450 Quantum Mechanics, Phys
463 Solid State Physics, ME 449 Vibration and Noise Control,
MSE 413 Mechanics of Solids, (UI)ME 413 Acoustics,
EE 418 Numerical Solutions of Electromagnetic Problems, Phys
490 [M]Undergraduate Thesis, Phys 499 Special Problems
Minor
in Physics
A
physics minor requires Phys 201/202 and Phys 303/304 plus
any two courses (6 credits) from the following list: Phys
320 Mechanics, Phys 330 Thermal Physics, Phys 341/342 Electricity
and Magnetism, Phys 410 Electronics, Phys 412 Modern Optics
Laboratory, Phys 415 [M] Modern Laboratory Techniques, Phys
443 Optics, Phys 450 Introduction to Quantum Mechanics, Phys
461 Atomic and Molecular Physics, Phys 463 Solid State Physics,
and Phys 465 Nuclear Physics. This makes a total of 20 credits
in physics
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