Physics, BS
Program Description
Introduction
The Joint BS Physics degree is a Bachelor of Science degree with a Physics major, provided through the joint efforts of physics faculty both here at TAMUCC and at other schools in the Texas Physics Consortium (TPC). Interested students are encouraged to visit the TPC website at http://www.tarleton.edu/tpc/. Upper-level physics courses can originate at any of the TPC schools, and students at any of the other TPC schools can take them via distance education.
Physics courses are also offered in support of other major study areas in the sciences, mathematics, computer science, engineering and technology, and 7-12 level physical science teaching certification.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students obtaining the Joint BS in Physics will:
- possess a broad understanding of physics.
- understand scientific methods and be able use them to develop and conduct studies of physical systems.
- communicate physical information effectively at the undergraduate level, whether the communication is in oral or written form, with or without the use of technology.
General Requirements
Requirements | Credit Hours |
---|---|
University Seminar (when applicable)1 | 0-2 |
Core Curriculum Program | 42 |
Required non-TPC Courses | 12 |
Required TPC Courses | 32 |
Electives | 34 |
Total Credit Hours | 120-122 |
- 1
Full-time, first time in college students are required to take university seminar.
- USSE 1201 University Seminar (2 sch)
Students must complete 45 semester hours of upper division courses (3000 level or above).
At least one semester before a student's intended graduation date, physics students must meet with the physics program coordinator or designated faculty or staff member to fill out the Texas Physics Consortium Graduation Checkout Form. This will be provided to the TPC Administrative Council, who meets shortly before every Spring and Fall semester to review and approve graduates for that semester.
Program Requirements
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Full-time, First-year Students | ||
USSE 1201 | University Seminar | 2 |
Core Curriculum Program | ||
University Core Curriculum | 42 | |
Students majoring in Physics must take: | ||
Calculus I | ||
Calculus II | ||
University Physics I | ||
University Physics II | ||
Required Non-TPC Courses 1 | ||
Calculus I (included in University Core) 2 | ||
Calculus II (included in University Core) 2 | ||
University Physics I (included in University Core) 2 | ||
PHYS 2426 | University Physics II (included in University Core, 1 hour laboratory component) 2 | 1 |
MATH 2415 | Calculus III | 4 |
MATH 3315 | Differential Equations | 3 |
COSC 1435 | Introduction to Problem Solving with Computers I | 4 |
PHYS 4085 | Major Field Test in Physics | 0 |
Required TPC Courses 3 | ||
PHYS 3331 | Mechanics I | 3 |
PHYS 3334 | Modern Physics I | 3 |
PHYS 3332 | Electromagnetism | 3 |
PHYS 3333 | Thermodynamics | 3 |
PHYS 4330 | Mathematical Methods for Physicists | 3 |
PHYS 4335 | Quantum Physics | 3 |
PHYS 4337 | Nuclear Physics | 3 |
PHYS 4340 | Advanced Physics Lab | 3 |
PHYS 4161 | Physics Research Project | 1 |
PHYS 4162 | Physics Research Seminar | 1 |
PHYS 3490 | Selected Topics (repeat to total 6 hours) 4 | 6 |
Electives | ||
Students must choose their electives to make sure that they have 45 semester hours of upper-division courses (3000-level and above), as required by the College of Science | ||
Support Field Electives | ||
Select 18 hours in consultation with physics faculty advisor. Courses that could be used could include (but are not limited to) the following: 5 | 18 | |
Selected Topics (if taken beyond the required 6 hours) | ||
Linear Algebra | ||
Introduction to Problem Solving with Computers II | ||
Fluid Mechanics | ||
Oceanography | ||
Climate and Climate Variability | ||
Physical Oceanography | ||
Geophysics | ||
Heat Transfer | ||
General Electives | ||
Select 16 hours of General Electives not categorized above 6 | 16 | |
Total Hours | 122 |
- 1
These TAMUCC courses are required as part of the Joint BS in Physics degree. They are local courses, not TPC courses. These courses may not be taken on a pass/no pass (P/NP) basis.
- 2
15 credits hours for these courses are included in the University Core Curriculum tally above, and are not included in the total in this section. They fulfill the 3 hours of mathematics, 6 hours of life and physical sciences, and the 6 hour Component Area Option. One remaining credit does count in this section. Any other Core Curriculum Program courses taken in those categories will count as electives.
- 3
These courses are offered from one of the members of the Texas Physics Consortium (possibly from TAMUCC). Any substitutions for these courses, including transfer credits, must be approved by the Administrative Council of the Texas Physics Consortium.
- 4
The Selected Topics course is used for the TPC Advanced Physics Elective courses, which change from year to year. Any cataloged Advanced Physics courses can also fill this role.
- 5
The Support Field enables students the flexibility to tailor their degree to meet various academic and career goals, including teaching certification and interdiciplinary studies. The courses must be chosen in consultation with their physics faculty advisor. For students transferring into the Physics Major, these courses may be selected from those already taken from the student’s former major.
- 6
The university seminar course listed above counts as general electives.
This sequence is a suggestion. It's certainly not the only way to fulfill the requirements.
Course Sequencing
First Year | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Hours | |
COSC 1435 | Introduction to Problem Solving with Computers I | 4 |
USSE 1201 | University Seminar | 2 |
MATH 2413 | Calculus I | 4 |
ENGL 1301 | Writing and Rhetoric I | 3 |
HIST 1301 | U.S. History to 1865 | 3 |
Hours | 16 | |
Spring | ||
MATH 2414 | Calculus II | 4 |
ENGL 1302 or COMM 1311 | Writing and Rhetoric II or Foundation of Communication | 3 |
HIST 1302 | U.S. History Since 1865 | 3 |
PHYS 2425 | University Physics I | 4 |
Hours | 14 | |
Second Year | ||
Fall | ||
PHYS 2426 | University Physics II | 4 |
MATH 2415 | Calculus III | 4 |
Language, Philosophy & Culture Core Requirement | 3 | |
Creative Arts Core Requirement | 3 | |
POLS 2305 | U.S. Government and Politics | 3 |
Hours | 17 | |
Spring | ||
PHYS 3334 | Modern Physics I | 3 |
MATH 3315 | Differential Equations | 3 |
COSC 1436 | Introduction to Problem Solving with Computers II | 4 |
Social and Behavioral Sciences Core Requirement | 3 | |
POLS 2306 | State and Local Government | 3 |
Hours | 16 | |
Third Year | ||
Fall | ||
PHYS 3331 | Mechanics I | 3 |
PHYS 3332 | Electromagnetism | 3 |
PHYS 3490 | Selected Topics | 3 |
MATH 3311 | Linear Algebra | 3 |
Elective | 3 | |
Hours | 15 | |
Spring | ||
PHYS 4330 | Mathematical Methods for Physicists | 3 |
PHYS 4340 | Advanced Physics Lab | 3 |
PHYS 3490 | Selected Topics | 3 |
Support Field | 3 | |
Elective | 3 | |
Hours | 15 | |
Fourth Year | ||
Fall | ||
PHYS 4335 | Quantum Physics | 3 |
PHYS 4161 | Physics Research Project | 1 |
PHYS 3333 | Thermodynamics | 3 |
Support Field | 3 | |
Elective | 3 | |
UL Support Elective | 3 | |
Hours | 16 | |
Spring | ||
PHYS 4337 | Nuclear Physics | 3 |
PHYS 4162 | Physics Research Seminar | 1 |
UL Support Field | 3 | |
UL Support Field | 3 | |
Elective | 3 | |
PHYS 4085 | Major Field Test in Physics (Must be taken in last semester.) | 0 |
Hours | 13 | |
Total Hours | 122 |
Courses
* May be taken concurrently.
* May be taken concurrently.
* May be taken concurrently.