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Twin Cities Campus
Physics B.S. Phys.
School of Physics & Astronomy
Institute of Technology
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Requirements for this program are current for Fall 2005.
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Required credits to graduate with this degree: 120.
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Required credits within the major: 38 to 41.
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Degree: Bachelor of Science in Physics.
The physics program prepares students for employment, often in industrial or governmental laboratories, or for further study at graduate or professional schools in physics, engineering, biophysics, medicine, education, law, or business.
The program integrates a broad foundation in physics that can be flexibly combined with coursework in other technical disciplines or used to specialize in physics. Students should consult a physics adviser to help formulate objectives for study.
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Admission Requirements
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Students must complete 7 courses before admission to the program.
Freshmen and transfer students are usually admitted to pre-major status before admission to this major.
A GPA above 2.00 is preferred for the following:
2.5 for students transferring from another University of Minnesota college.
2.8 for students transferring from outside the University.
For information about University of Minnesota admission requirements, visit the
Office of Admissions Web site.
Preparatory Mathematics
Math 1571-1572-2573 (Honors math sequence) may be taken in place of the listed courses.
MATH 1271 - Calculus I, MATH (4.0 cr)
or MATH 1371 - IT Calculus I, MATH (4.0 cr)
MATH 1272 - Calculus II (4.0 cr)
or MATH 1372 - IT Calculus II (4.0 cr)
MATH 2243 - Linear Algebra and Differential Equations (4.0 cr)
or MATH 2373 - IT Linear Algebra and Differential Equations (4.0 cr)
MATH 2263 - Multivariable Calculus (4.0 cr)
or MATH 2374 - IT Multivariable Calculus and Vector Analysis (4.0 cr)
Preparatory Physics
PHYS 1301W - Introductory Physics for Science and Engineering I, PHYS SCI/L, WI (4.0 cr)
or PHYS 1401V - Honors Physics I, PHYS SCI/L, WI, H (4.0 cr)
PHYS 1302W - Introductory Physics for Science and Engineering II, PHYS SCI/L, WI (4.0 cr)
or PHYS 1402V - Honors Physics II, PHYS SCI/L, WI, H (4.0 cr)
PHYS 2403H - Honors Physics III, H (4.0 cr)
or PHYS 2503 - Physics III: Intro to Waves, Optics, and Special Relativity (4.0 cr)
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General Requirements
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All students are required to complete general University and college
requirements including writing and liberal education courses.
For more information about University-wide requirements, see the
liberal education requirements.
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Program Requirements
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In addition to the official concentrations in physics (biological physics, engineering physics, physics for teaching), students may also complete a focus in either computational physics or professional physics.
For computational physics, students must take the two remaining courses they did not use to satisfy the major core requirements from the list of PHYS 4001, 4002, 4101, and 4201 noted above. Students must also take 19 credits of technical electives, chosen in consultation with an adviser. Any course in the sciences, math, or engineering may be used to fulfill these requirements. Students intending to pursue graduate study in physics are strongly encouraged to take PHYS 4303. Major Courses
PHYS 2601 - Quantum Physics (4.0 cr)
PHYS 2605 - Quantum Physics Laboratory (3.0 cr)
PHYS 4051 - Methods of Experimental Physics I (5.0 cr)
PHYS 4052W - Methods of Experimental Physics II, WI (5.0 cr)
Technical Electives or Specializations
Complete 19 credits of technical electives or one of the optional specializations (sub-plans).
Students are required to complete one of the following course groups.
Specialization
Complete the requirements listed in the any of the following physics subplans: computational physics, biological, engineering, or teaching.
-OR-
Technical Electives
Select at least 19 credits of technical electives in consultation with your adviser.
-OR-
Professional Physics
For students who want the strongest possible grounding in physics, are interested in fundamental physics or astrophysics or applying physics to the workplace, or plan to continue physics education in graduate school.
PHYS 4001 - Analytical Mechanics (4.0 cr)
PHYS 4002 - Electricity and Magnetism (4.0 cr)
PHYS 4101 - Quantum Mechanics (4.0 cr)
PHYS 4201 - Statistical and Thermal Physics (3.0 cr)
Take an additional 19 credits of approved technical electives from the sciences, math, or engineering.
Take 3 or more credit(s) from the following:
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MATH 3xxx
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MATH 4xxx
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MATH 5xxx
Take 1 or more course(s) totaling 3 or more credit(s) from the following:
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PHYS 3xxx
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PHYS 4xxx
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PHYS 5xxx
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Program Sub-plans
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A sub-plan is not required for this program.
Honors
This is an honors sub-plan.
For cum laude, students must complete a thesis and one honors experience and have a cumulative GPA of 3.50. To graduate magna cum laude, students must complete a thesis and two honors experiences and have a cumulative GPA of 3.66. For summa cum laude, students must complete a thesis and three honors experiences and have a cumulative GPA of 3.75. Consult an academic adviser for a list of possible honors experiences or to petition the department to approve an honors experience not listed. Honors
PHYS 4960H - Honors Seminar, H (1.0 cr)
Computational Physics
For students who are interested in the practical application of physics and computational methods, but who want a less specialized education than they would find in a computer science department.
Consult with a physics adviser for selection of at least 19 credits of technical electives. Computational Physics
Select 19 credits of technical electives in consultation with your adviser.
Biological
For students with an interest in the biological applications of physics. Physics for Biology
BIOC 3021 - Biochemistry (3.0 cr)
BIOL 1009 - General Biology, BIOL SCI/L (4.0 cr)
CHEM 1021 - Chemical Principles I, ENVT, PHYS SCI/L (4.0 cr)
CHEM 1022 - Chemical Principles II, PHYS SCI/L, ENVT (4.0 cr)
CHEM 2301 - Organic Chemistry I (3.0 cr)
PHYS 4001 - Analytical Mechanics (4.0 cr)
PHYS 4002 - Electricity and Magnetism (4.0 cr)
Complete 14 credits of technical electives with a biology emphasis, chosen in consultaiton with your adviser.
CHEM 3501 - Introduction to Thermodynamics, Kinetics, and Statistical Mechanics (3.0 cr)
or PHYS 4201 - Statistical and Thermal Physics (3.0 cr)
CHEM 3502 - Introduction to Quantum Mechanics and Spectroscopy (3.0 cr)
or PHYS 4101 - Quantum Mechanics (4.0 cr)
Engineering
For students interested in physics as applied in engineering professions.
Take the two remaining courses you did not use to satisfy the major core requirements from the list of PHYS 4001, 4002, 4101, and 4201. Physics for Engineering
CHEM 1021 - Chemical Principles I, ENVT, PHYS SCI/L (4.0 cr)
PHYS 4101 - Quantum Mechanics (4.0 cr)
Complete 25 credits of technical electives in various engineering fields, physical sciences, or math, in consultation with your adviser.
AEM 2021 - Statics and Dynamics (4.0 cr)
or PHYS 4001 - Analytical Mechanics (4.0 cr)
or take the following course pair
AEM 2011 - Statics (3.0 cr)
AEM 2012 - Dynamics (3.0 cr)
EE 3601 - Transmission Lines, Fields, and Waves (3.0 cr)
or PHYS 4002 - Electricity and Magnetism (4.0 cr)
ME 3321 {Inactive}
or ME 3324 - Introduction to Thermal Science (3.0 cr)
or PHYS 4201 - Statistical and Thermal Physics (3.0 cr)
Teaching
For students with an interest in teaching the physical sciences at the primary or secondary levels. Chemistry and Upper-Division Physics
CHEM 1021 - Chemical Principles I, ENVT, PHYS SCI/L (4.0 cr)
or CHEM 1031H - Honors Chemistry I, ENVT, PHYS SCI/L, H (4.0 cr)
CHEM 1022 - Chemical Principles II, PHYS SCI/L, ENVT (4.0 cr)
or CHEM 1032H - Honors Chemistry II, ENVT, PHYS SCI/L, H (4.0 cr)
Students are encouraged to complete all four courses.
Take 2 or more course(s) from the following:
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PHYS 4001 - Analytical Mechanics (4.0 cr)
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PHYS 4002 - Electricity and Magnetism (4.0 cr)
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PHYS 4101 - Quantum Mechanics (4.0 cr)
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PHYS 4201 - Statistical and Thermal Physics (3.0 cr)
Technical Electives
Complete 22 credits, including 8 or 9 credits chosen in consultation with an adviser. To meet licensure requirements, technical electives should include two courses in engineering, one of which has a substantial design component. Students must also demonstrate knowledge of computer programming in at least one language through coursework or completion of a project.
Take 13 or more credit(s) from the following:
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Other courses may be substituted in consultation with your adviser.
Take 1 or more course(s) from the following:
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HSCI 4111 - History of 19th-Century Physics (3.0 cr)
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HSCI 4121 - History of 20th-Century Physics (3.0 cr)
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Other courses may be substituted in consultation with your adviser.
Take 1 or more course(s) from the following:
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AST 2001 - Introduction to Astrophysics (4.0 cr)
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AST 4001 - Astrophysics I (4.0 cr)
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AST 4002 - Astrophysics II (4.0 cr)
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PHYS 5022 - Relativity, Cosmology, and the Universe (4.0 cr)
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Other courses may be substituted in consultation with your adviser.
Take 1 or more course(s) from the following:
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GEO 2201 - Geodynamics I: The Solid Earth (4.0 cr)
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GEO 2303W - Geochemical Principles, WI (3.0 cr)
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GEO 3202 - Geodynamics II: The Fluid Earth (3.0 cr)
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GEO 3401 - Geochronology and Earth History (3.0 cr)
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Other courses may be substituted in consultation with your adviser.
Take 1 or more course(s) from the following:
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AEM 4201 - Fluid Mechanics (4.0 cr)
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EE 5621 - Physical Optics (3.0 cr)
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ME 3321 {Inactive}
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PHYS 4711 - Introduction to Optics (3.0 cr)
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PHYS 5701 - Solid-State Physics for Engineers and Scientists (4.0 cr)
Complete an additional 8 or 9 credits (three courses), preferably in engineering and computer science. Consult your adviser for appropriate choices.
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