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Academic Programs / Undergraduate Program / Major and Minor Requirements

Major and Minor Requirements

Bachelor of Arts in Physics

A complete and binding description of the requirements for this major may be found in the undergraduate bulletin. The following is excerpted from this document. In addition to satisfying UK Core requirements and the College requirements, each student completes the following:

Premajor Requirements Hours
PHY 231/PHY 232/PHY 241/PHY 242  General University Physics and Laboratory, or with permission of Director of Undergraduate Studies:  PHY 211/PHY 213  General Physics.  10
PHY 228 Optics, Relativity, and Thermal Physics 3
CHE 105/CHE 107 General College Chemistry I and II 6
MA 113 Calculus I 4
MA 114 Calculus II 4

 

Major Requirements Hours
Requirement One  
PHY 306 Theoretical Methods of Physics 3
PHY 361 Principles of Modern Physics 3
PHY 335 Data Analysis for Physicists 1
PHY435 Intermediate Physics Laboratory 3
MA 213 Calculus III 4
Requirement Two  
Any 3-hour 300-level PHY course 3
Any 3-hour 400-level PHY course 3

The College of Arts & Sciences requires the completion of 42 credit hours in the field of concentration including at least 14 credit hours in a related area (e.g., computer science, mathematics, chemistry or engineering).
 

Bachelor of Science in Physics

The complete and binding description of the requirements for this major may be found in the undergraduate bulletin. The following is excerpted from this document. In addition to satisfying UK Core requirements and the College requirements, each student completes the following:

Premajor Requirements Hours
PHY 231/PHY 232 General University Physics 8
PHY 241/PHY 242 General University Physics Laboratory 2
PHY 228 Optics, Relativity, and Thermal Physics 3
CHE 105/CHE 107 General College Chemistry I and II 6
MA 113 Calculus I 4
MA 114 Calculus II 4

 

Major Requirements Hours
Theoretical Requirements  
PHY 306 Theoretical Methods of Physics 3
PHY 361 Principles of Modern Physics 3
PHY 404G Mechanics 3
PHY 416G Electricity and Magnetism 3
PHY 417G Electricity and Magnetism 3
PHY 520 Introduction to Quantum Mechanics I 3
PHY 521 Introduction to Quantum Mechanics II 3
PHY 522 Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics 3
MA 213 Calculus III 4
MA 214 Calculus IV 3
Laboratory Requirements  
PHY 335 Data Analysis for Physicists 2
PHY 535 Advanced Physics Laboratory 3
Two other laboratory courses selected from the following:  
PHY 402G, PHY 508 , PHY 435, PHY 395/AST 395 3

The College of Arts & Sciences requires the completion of 42 credit hours in the field of concentration including at least 14 credit hours in a related area (e.g., computer science, mathematics, chemistry or engineering).
 

Minor in Physics

Minor Requirements Hours
MA 113 or MA 137, MA 114 or MA 138, and MA 213 12
PHY 211/PHY 213 or PHY 231/PHY 232/PHY 241/PHY 242 10
PHY 228 Optics, Relativity, and Thermal Physics 3
PHY 361 Principles of Modern Physics 3