Physics, B.S.
The Core Curriculum is designed to foster critical thinking skills and introduce students to basic domains of thinking that transcend disciplines. The Core applies to all majors. Information on specific classes in the Core can be found at https://www.marshall.edu/gened/.
Course Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Curriculum | ||
| Core 1: Critical Thinking | ||
| FYS 100 | First Yr Sem Critical Thinking | 3 |
| MTH 229 | Calculus/Analytic Geom I (CT) | 5 |
| Critical Thinking Course | 3 | |
| Core 2 | ||
| ENG 101 | Beginning Composition | 3 |
| ENG 201 | Advanced Composition | 3 |
| Core II Communication | 3 | |
| MTH 229 | Calculus/Analytic Geom I (CT) | 5 |
| Core II Humanities | 3 | |
| Core II Social Science | 3 | |
| Core II Fine Arts | 3 | |
| PHY 211 & PHY 202 | University Physics I and General Physics I Laboratory (Core II Physical/Natural Science) | 5 |
| Additional University Requirements | ||
| Writing Intensive | 3 | |
| Writing Intensive | 3 | |
| Multicultural or International | 3 | |
| PHY 491 & PHY 492 | Capstone and Capstone | 2 |
| Major-Specific | ||
| PHY 211 | University Physics I | 4 |
| PHY 202 | General Physics I Laboratory | 1 |
| PHY 213 | University Physics II | 4 |
| PHY 204 | General Physics 2 Laboratory | 1 |
| PHY 304 | Optics | 3 |
| PHY 405 | Optics Lab | 2 |
| PHY 300 | Electricity & Magnetism | 3 |
| PHY 330 | Mechanics | 3 |
| PHY 320 | Intro Modern Physics | 3 |
| PHY 408 | Thermal Stat Physics | 3 |
| PHY 421 | Modern Physics Lab | 2 |
| PHY 442 | Quantum Mechanics | 3 |
| PHY 445 | Math Methods of Physics | 3 |
| PHY 446 | Math Methods of Physics II | 3 |
| PHY 302 | Electricity & Magnetism II | 3 |
| PHY 443 | Quantum Mechanics II | 3 |
| PHY 491 & PHY 492 | Capstone and Capstone | 2 |
| MTH 230 | Calculus/Analytic Geom II | 4 |
| MTH 231 | Calculus/Analytic Geom III | 4 |
| MTH 335 | Ordinary Diff Equations | 3 |
| CHM 211 | Principles of Chemistry I (Recommended) | 3 |
| CHM 217 | Principles of Chem Lab I (Recommended) | 2 |
| CHM 212 | Principles Chemistry II (Recommended) | 3 |
| CHM 218 | Principles of Chem Lab II (Recommended) | 2 |
| PHY Elective | 5 | |
| Solid State Physics and Advanced Laboratory (Recommended) | ||
| Free Elective | 4 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
Major Information
- Students are required to know and track their degree requirements for graduation or for entrance to a professional school.
- In addition to the Core General Education requirements, the College of Science requires 3 hours of Calculus, coursework listed as “elective” may vary for each student. Students are encouraged to use elective hours toward a 2nd minor or toward prerequisites.
- Students are strongly encouraged to select courses that meet two or more Core or College requirements. For example, a writing intensive literature course could satisfy the Core II humanities requirement as well as the university writing intensive requirement.
- Course offerings and course attributes are subject to change each semester. Please consult each semester’s schedule of courses for availability and attributes.
- Math is based on an ACT Mathematics score of 27 or higher. Students with an ACT Mathematics score less than 27 will be placed in the appropriate prerequisite mathematics and science courses.
- In order to graduate, students must maintain a 2.00 Overall GPA and receive a grade of C or better in each course required for the major.
- Advanced physics courses are offered every two to three semesters; check with the Physics Department for availability.
- Let the Department Chair know if you have an interest in a particular elective course as soon as possible.
Semester Plan
A course of study in physics, resulting in a B.S. degree in physics, prepares students for a wide variety of opportunities, such as engineering careers in the private sector, careers in the health professions, employment in industry and government laboratories, advanced technology jobs in science and technology related fields, and careers as science teachers. The B.S. degree program is also excellent preparation for advanced degrees in physics, astronomy, engineering, medicine, or law. Physics is designed for those who are interested in future study or work in a pure physics or physics-related field.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Credit Hours | |
| PHY 202 | General Physics I Laboratory | 1 |
| PHY 211 | University Physics I | 4 |
| MTH 229 | Calculus/Analytic Geom I (CT) | 5 |
| FYS 100 | First Yr Sem Critical Thinking | 3 |
| ENG 101 | Beginning Composition | 3 |
| UNI 100 | Freshman First Class | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 17 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| MTH 230 | Calculus/Analytic Geom II | 4 |
| PHY 204 | General Physics 2 Laboratory | 1 |
| PHY 213 | University Physics II | 4 |
| ENG 201 | Advanced Composition | 3 |
| Core I Critical Thinking | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| MTH 231 | Calculus/Analytic Geom III | 4 |
| PHY 320 | Intro Modern Physics | 3 |
| PHY 421 | Modern Physics Lab | 2 |
| PHY 445 | Math Methods of Physics | 3 |
| Core II Communication | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| PHY 446 | Math Methods of Physics II | 3 |
| PHY 304 | Optics | 3 |
| PHY 405 | Optics Lab | 2 |
| MTH 335 | Ordinary Diff Equations | 3 |
| Core II Social Science | 3 | |
| Writing Intensive Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 17 | |
| Third Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| PHY 330 | Mechanics | 3 |
| PHY 300 | Electricity & Magnetism | 3 |
| PHY 408 | Thermal Stat Physics | 3 |
| Writing Intensive Elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| PHY 302 | Electricity & Magnetism II | 3 |
| PHY 442 | Quantum Mechanics | 3 |
| Core II Humanities | 3 | |
| Multicultural or International | 3 | |
| Core II Fine Arts | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| PHY 443 | Quantum Mechanics II | 3 |
| PHY 491 | Capstone | 1 |
| CHM 211 | Principles of Chemistry I (Recommended) | 3 |
| CHM 217 | Principles of Chem Lab I (Recommended) | 2 |
| PHY Elective: | 5 | |
| Solid State Physics and Advanced Laboratory (Recommended) | ||
| Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| CHM 212 | Principles Chemistry II (Recommended) | 3 |
| CHM 218 | Principles of Chem Lab II (Recommended) | 2 |
| PHY 492 | Capstone | 1 |
| Free Elective | 4 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 13 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 121 | |