College of Science

Department of Physics

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• This major aslo requires a Teaching minor.
• For more information about Physics, see the Physics Department
• Following is a sample four-year plan. Please note that student-specific plans may differ.
• Admitted students must meet with their advisor  Karalee Ransom. Current students should also meet with their advisor  Karalee Ransom and logon to DegreeWorks  to check student-specific program progress.

 

Minimum University Requirements
Total Credits	120			Grade Point Average (most majors require higher GPA)	2.00 GPA
Credits of C- or better	100			Credits of upper-division courses (#3000 or above)	40
Total USU Credits	30			Upper-division USU Credits	20
USU Credits within the Major	10			Credits in Minor (if required)	12
Credits in Major	see below			Credits in American Institutions	3
General Education Requirements	see link			University Studies Depth Requirements	see link
NOTES: Suggested schedule assumes student has passed MATH 1210: Calculus I (QL) .  Students should consult with their advisor, Karalee Ransom, to develop an individualized plan of study that is applicable to their interests and STEP program no later than their sophmore year. Admission to STEP requires a grade of C or better in all physics prefix courses. Teaching Minor required for this major. Requires a 3.00 overall GPA

 

Admissions Requirements for this Program
New freshmen	Admitted to USU in Good Standing.  Admission to STEP with this major requires minimum ACT scores of: Composite-21, Math-19, English-20 and an over-all GPA of 3.0.			Transfer students from other institutions or other programs at USU	3.0 GPA, ACT scores of 21 composite and 20 verbal/English and 19 mathematics/quantitative to be admitted to the major.

First Year
Fall Semester	Credits	General Education Info and Notes:		Spring Semester	Credits	General Education Info and Notes:
MATH 1220: Calculus II (QL)	4			MATH 2250: Linear Algebra and Differential Equations (QI)	4
PHYS 2210: Physics for Scientists and Engineers I (BPS/QI)  or PHYS 2310: Physics for Physics Majors I	4  or 4			PHYS 2220: Physics for Scientists and Engineers II (BPS/QI)  or PHYS 2320: Physics for Physics Majors II	4  or 4
PHYS 2215: Physics for Scientists and Engineers Lab I	1			PHYS 2225: Physics for Scientists and Engineers Lab II	1
PHYX - College of Science sequence requirement	4			PHYX - College of Science sequence requirement	4
University Studies Breadth Course	3			University Studies Breadth Course	3
Total Recommended Credits:	16			Total Recommended Credits:	16
Comments

Second Year
Fall Semester	Credits	General Education Info and Notes:		Spring Semester	Credits	General Education Info and Notes:
ENGL 1010: Introduction to Writing: Academic Prose (CL1)	3			PHYS 3710: Intermediate Modern Physics	3
PHYS 1040: Introductory Astronomy (BPS)	3			General Science Requirements	4
PHYS 2500: Introduction to Computer Methods in Physics	2			University Studies Breadth Courses	6
PHYS 2710: Introductory Modern Physics	3			University Depth Course	3
STAT 3000: Statistics for Scientists (QI)	3
University Studies Breadth Courses	3
Total Recommended Credits:	17			Total Recommended Credits:	16
Comments				Comments Apply for STEP (Secondary Teacher Education Program)

Third Year
Fall Semester	Credits	General Education Info and Notes:		Spring Semester	Credits	General Education Info and Notes:
ENGL 2010: Intermediate Writing: Research Writing in a Persuasive Mode (CL2)	3			ITLS 4015: Technology Tools and Integration for Teachers	1-3	1 credit required
PHYS 3870: Intermediate Physics Laboratory (CI)	3			SCED 3100: Motivation and Classroom Management	3
SCED 3300: Clinical Experience I	1			SCED 3210: Educational and Multicultural Foundations (DSS/CI)	3
SCED 3400: Teaching Science I	3			SCED 4300: Clinical Experience II	1
Physics elective 3000+ level	3			SCED 4400: Teaching Science II	3
General Science Requirements	4			Physics elective 3000+ level	2
				University Breadth Course	3
Total Recommended Credits:	17			Total Recommended Credits:	16
Comments A grade of C or better is required in all graded STEP courses				Comments A grade of C or better is required in all graded STEP courses.

Fourth Year
Fall Semester	Credits	General Education Info and Notes:		Spring Semester	Credits	General Education Info and Notes:
SPED 4000: Education of Exceptional Individuals	2			SCED 5500: Student Teaching Seminar	2
SCED 4200: Language, Literacy and Learning in the Content Areas (CI)	3			SCED 5630: Student Teaching in Secondary Schools	10
SCED 4210: Assessment and Curriculum Design	3
Physics elective 3000+ level	2
Depth Humanities and Creative Arts (DHA)	3
Total Recommended Credits:	13			Total Recommended Credits:	12
Comments A grade of C or better is required in all graded STEP courses				Comments A grade of C or better is required in all graded STEP courses

Students must complete the General Education Requirements  and the University Studies Depth Requirements :

• Complete at least 2 credits in approved 3000-level or above course in Humanities and Creative Arts (DHA) requirement