BA in Physics
Career Options
A major in physics prepares you to think critically about the world, and provides you with a fundamental understanding about how things work. A degree in physics is mandatory for graduate school, but also is excellent preparation for many engineering jobs, computing, medical physics, and a host of other technical careers. You can find more information at the American Institute of Physics site.
The field of physics is concerned with the study of matter, energy, motion, and the interaction of material particles. It is a cornerstone science that attempts to explain at a fundamental level the concepts underlying phenomena important to the other physical sciences, to the biological sciences, and to engineering. The Physics Department provides elementary courses to introduce students to the field, general and topical courses that support the other science departments and engineering, and a four-year program leading to a B.A. degree in physics. The physics major covers the traditional areas of modern and classical physics, and is intended to prepare graduates for careers in physics and related technical areas or for graduate school.
Courses & Requirements
Chair of the Department: Jerry LaSala, 229 Science Building, Portland
Professor: LaSala; Associate Professors: Coakley, Nakroshis; Assistant Professor: Ziffer
The field of physics is concerned with the study of matter, energy, motion, and the interaction of material particles. It is a cornerstone science that attempts to explain at a fundamental level the concepts underlying phenomena important to the other physical sciences, to the biological sciences, and to engineering. The Physics Department provides elementary courses to introduce students to the field, general and topical courses that support the other science departments and engineering, and a four-year program leading to a B.A. degree in physics. The physics major covers the traditional areas of modern and classical physics, and is intended to prepare graduates for careers in physics and related technical areas or for graduate school.
Programs and Requirements
Bachelor of Arts in Physics
The minimum number of credits in physics and related areas (exclusive of the University’s Core curriculum) required for the physics major: 61. A student majoring in physics must take 37 credit hours of physics courses including some requirements and some electives as outlined below. In addition, the major requires 16 credits of mathematics courses, 8 credits of chemistry courses, and a demonstration of competency in computer programming.
1. Required courses
PHY 114K, 116 Introductory Physics Laboratory I and II
PHY 121K, 123 General Physics I and II (PHY 111K may replace PHY 121K with Departmental permission.)
PHY 211, 213 Nonclassical Physics I and II
PHY 221, 223, 225 Classical Physics I, II, and III
PHY 240 Intermediate Laboratory I
CHY 373 Physical Chemistry II
2. Electives. In addition to the required courses, the student must take a minimum of 6 credits of physics courses numbered
200 or higher: three credits from each of groups A and B below.
Group A
PHY 251 Principles of Electronics
PHY 261 Computational Physics
PHY 281 Astrophysics
PHY 375 Optics
Group B
PHY 242 Intermediate Laboratory II
PHY 311 Quantum Mechanics
The physics major must also complete the following courses:
MAT 152D Calculus A
MAT 153 Calculus B
MAT 252 Calculus C
MAT 350 Differential Equations
CHY 113K and114K Principles of Chemistry I with Lab
CHY 115 and 116 Principles of Chemistry II with Lab
Suggestions for demonstrating competency in computer programming include:
COS 160 and 170 Structured Problem Solving: Java
COS 141 Visual Basic
PHY 261 Computational Physics
To graduate as a physics major, a student must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 in all courses which satisfy the major requirement, and a minimum overall GPA of 2.0.
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