Applied Physics, Emphasis

 Bison image - General Education Course

 Cap graduation image - Milestone course: a key success marker for your major. See your advisor to discuss the importance of this course in your plan of study.

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

Core Curriculum
Core 1: Critical Thinking
FYS 100First Yr Sem Critical Thinking3
MTH 229 Bison image  Cap graduation image Calculus/Analytic Geom I (CT)5
Critical Thinking Course3
Core 2
ENG 101 Bison image  Cap graduation image Beginning Composition3
ENG 201 Bison image  Cap graduation image Advanced Composition3
Core II Communication3
MTH 229 Bison image  Cap graduation image Calculus/Analytic Geom I (CT)5
Core II Humanities3
Core II Social Science3
Core II Fine Arts3
CHM 211 Bison image
& CHM 217 Bison image
Principles of Chemistry I
and Principles of Chem Lab I (Core II Natural/Physical Science)
5
Additional University Requirements
Writing Intensive3
Writing Intensive3
Multicultural or International3
PHY 491 Bison image
& PHY 492 Bison image
Capstone
and Capstone
2
Major-Specific
CHM 211 Bison image Principles of Chemistry I3
CHM 217 Bison image Principles of Chem Lab I2
CHM 212 Bison image Principles Chemistry II3
CHM 218 Bison image Principles of Chem Lab II2
ENGR 111Engineering Computations3
CIT 163Intro to Programming: C++3
MTH 230 Bison image  Cap graduation image Calculus/Analytic Geom II4
CS 120Computer Science II3
CS 210Data Structures and Algorithms3
MTH 231 Bison image Calculus/Analytic Geom III4
MTH 335Ordinary Diff Equations3
PHY 211 Bison image  Cap graduation image University Physics I4
PHY 202 Bison image  Cap graduation image General Physics I Laboratory1
PHY 213 Bison image University Physics II4
PHY 204 Bison image General Physics 2 Laboratory1
PHY 308Thermal Physics3
PHY 304 Cap graduation image Optics3
PHY 405 Cap graduation image Optics Lab2
PHY 300 Cap graduation image Electricity & Magnetism3
PHY 330 Cap graduation image Mechanics3
PHY 320 Cap graduation image Intro Modern Physics3
PHY 421 Cap graduation image Modern Physics Lab2
PHY 425Solid State Physics3
PHY 442 Cap graduation image Quantum Mechanics3
PHY 444Advanced Laboratory2
PHY 445Math Methods of Physics3
PHY 446Math Methods of Physics II3
PHY 491 Bison image
& PHY 492 Bison image
Capstone
and Capstone
2
PHY Elective5
Electronic Physics
and Electronics Lab (Recommended)
Free Elective3
Free Elective3

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, and 40 hours of upper level credit.
  • 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.

 Bison image - General Education Course

 Cap graduation image - Milestone course: a key success marker for your major. See your advisor to discuss the importance of this course in your plan of study.

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. The Applied Physics major is designed for those who are interested in future study or work in an applied physics or engineering field.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
First SemesterCredit Hours
PHY 211 Bison image  Cap graduation image University Physics I 4
PHY 202 Bison image  Cap graduation image General Physics I Laboratory 1
MTH 229 Bison image  Cap graduation image Calculus/Analytic Geom I (CT) 5
FYS 100 First Yr Sem Critical Thinking 3
ENG 101 Bison image  Cap graduation image Beginning Composition 3
UNI 100 Freshman First Class 1
 Credit Hours17
Second Semester
MTH 230 Bison image  Cap graduation image Calculus/Analytic Geom II 4
PHY 204 Bison image General Physics 2 Laboratory 1
PHY 213 Bison image University Physics II 4
ENG 201 Bison image  Cap graduation image Advanced Composition 3
Core I Critical Thinking (MC/I) 3
 Credit Hours15
Second Year
First Semester
MTH 231 Bison image Calculus/Analytic Geom III 4
PHY 320 Cap graduation image Intro Modern Physics 3
PHY 421 Cap graduation image Modern Physics Lab 2
PHY 445 Math Methods of Physics 3
Core II Social Science (WI) 3
 Credit Hours15
Second Semester
PHY 446 Math Methods of Physics II 3
PHY 304 Cap graduation image Optics 3
PHY 405 Cap graduation image Optics Lab 2
MTH 335 Ordinary Diff Equations 3
CIT 163 Intro to Programming: C++ 3
 Credit Hours14
Third Year
First Semester
PHY 330 Cap graduation image Mechanics 3
PHY 300 Cap graduation image Electricity & Magnetism 3
PHY 308 Thermal Physics 3
CS 120 Computer Science II 3
Core II Communication 3
 Credit Hours15
Second Semester
PHY Elective 5
Electronic Physics
and Electronics Lab (Recommended)
PHY 442 Cap graduation image Quantum Mechanics 3
ENGR 111 Engineering Computations 3
CS 210 Data Structures and Algorithms 3
 Credit Hours14
Fourth Year
First Semester
PHY 491 Bison image Capstone 1
PHY 425 Solid State Physics 3
PHY 444 Advanced Laboratory 2
CHM 211 Bison image Principles of Chemistry I 3
CHM 217 Bison image Principles of Chem Lab I 2
Free Elective (CIT Recommended) 3
Writing Intensive 3
 Credit Hours17
Second Semester
PHY 492 Bison image Capstone 1
CHM 212 Bison image Principles Chemistry II 3
CHM 218 Bison image Principles of Chem Lab II 2
Core II Humanities (WI) 3
Free Elective (CIT Recommended) 3
Core II Fine Arts 3
 Credit Hours15
 Total Credit Hours122