College of Science

Department of Physics

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• For more information about Physics, see the Department of Physics website.
• 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, for tailored student-specific plans and log on to Degree Works  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: The highest math requirement for this degree is MATH 2280: Ordinary Differential Equations (QI) . 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 degree track.

 

Admissions Requirements for this Program
New freshmen	Admitted to USU in Good Standing			Transfer students from other institutions or other programs at USU	2.2 GPA

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 2210: Multivariable Calculus (QI)	3
PHYS 2210: Physics for Scientists and Engineers I (BPS/QI)  or PHYS 2310: Physics for Scientists I (BPS/QI)	4  or 4			PHYS 2220: Physics for Scientists and Engineers II (BPS/QI)  or PHYS 2320: Physics for Scientists II (BPS/QI)	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			MATH 2270: Linear Algebra (QI)	3
Total Recommended Credits:	16			Total Recommended Credits:	15
Comments				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			Choose two of the following Philosophy courses (6 credits total):  PHIL 4300: Epistemology (DHA)   PHIL 4310: Philosophy of Science (DHA)   PHIL 4400: Metaphysics   PHIL 4410: Philosophy of Mind (DHA)	3 and 3	This fills the DHA requirement
MATH 2280: Ordinary Differential Equations (QI)	3			University Studies Breadth Course**	3
PHYS 2500: Introduction to Computer Methods in Physics	2			ENGL 2010: Intermediate Writing: Research Writing in a Persuasive Mode (CL2)	3
PHYS 2710: Introductory Modern Physics	3			Required Language Courses 1020	4
Required Language Courses 1010	4
Total Recommended Credits:	15			Total Recommended Credits:	16
Comments				Comments

Third Year
Fall Semester	Credits	General Education Info and Notes:		Spring Semester	Credits	General Education Info and Notes:
PHYS 3600: Electromagnetism I	3			PHYS 3550: Intermediate Classical Mechanics	3
PHYS 3870: Intermediate Physics Laboratory (CI)	3			PHYS 3710: Intermediate Modern Physics  or Elective course 3500+ level	3  or 3
University Studies Breadth Course**	3			University Studies Depth Course (DSS)***	3
University Studies Breadth Course**	3			Required Language Courses 2020	4
Required Language Courses 2010	4			University Studies Breadth Course**	3
Total Recommended Credits:	16			Total Recommended Credits:	16
Comments				Comments

Fourth Year
Fall Semester	Credits	General Education Info and Notes:		Spring Semester	Credits	General Education Info and Notes:
Physics Elective Course at 3500+ level	3			PHYS 4900: Research in Physics (CI)	1-3	Register for 1 credit
University Studies Breadth Course**	3			Advisor-Directed Elective Credits ++	14
Advisor-Directed Elective Credits++	9
PHYS 4900: Research in Physics (CI)	1-3	Register for 1 credit
Total Recommended Credits:	16			Total Recommended Credits:	15
Comments				Comments

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

• Complete at least 3 credits in an approved 3000-level or above course for the Depth Humanities and Creative Arts (DHA)  requirement. (This requirement will be filled by the major requirements in Philosophy.)
• Complete 3 credits in an approved 3000-level or above course for the Depth Social Sciences (DSS)  requirement.

Courses used to fulfill major requirements may not be taken on a pass/fail basis.

* College of Science Sequence Requirement consists of 7-8 credits, i.e., a year-long introduction course in biology, chemistry, geology or computer science to be selected by the student and completed in their freshman year.

** University Studies Breadth courses consist of 18 credits. These are distributed through freshman, sophomore and into the junior year. Experience has shown that taking the majority of these credits in the first year has a negative impact on our majors.

++ Elective credits. This particular degree offering enables the student to complement their physics interest with up to 15 credits from other disciplines. These could consist of computer science, mathematics, geology, English, etc. Working with the physics advisor in the sophomore/junior year would enable a timely plan to be created based upon the student’s developing career goals.