Campuses:
Twin Cities campus
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Twin Cities Campus
Physics B.S. Phys.School of Physics & Astronomy
College of Science and Engineering
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.
Program Delivery
This program is available:
Admission Requirements
Students must complete
7 courses
before admission to the program.
Freshman and transfer students are usually admitted to pre-major status
before admission to this major.
For information about University of Minnesota admission requirements, visit the
Office of Admissions
website.
Required prerequisites
Core Coursework
All of the sub-plans start with a common foundation in physics and mathematics. This basic core of physics and math, taken during the first two years, provides the necessary tools to move into one of the sub-plans within physics.
The freshman and sophomore years give students a broad introduction to the fundamental ideas of physics. During this same period students learn the mathematical techniques that they will need for advanced work in physics and other sciences.
Introductory Physics Core Requirement
Physics I
PHYS 1301W - Introductory Physics for Science and Engineering I
[PHYS, WI]
(4.0 cr)
or
PHYS 1401V - Honors Physics I
[PHYS, WI]
(4.0 cr)
Physics II
PHYS 1302W - Introductory Physics for Science and Engineering II
[PHYS, WI]
(4.0 cr)
or
PHYS 1402V - Honors Physics II
[PHYS, WI]
(4.0 cr)
Physics III
Note: PHYS 2503 and 2403H offered only fall semester.
PHYS 2503 - Physics III: Intro to Waves, Optics, and Special Relativity
(4.0 cr)
or
PHYS 2403H {Inactive}
(4.0 cr)
Lower Division Core Physics Requirement
PHYS 2201 - Introductory Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics
(4.0 cr)
Mathematics Requirements
Calculus I
MATH 1271 - Calculus I
[MATH]
(4.0 cr)
or
MATH 1371 - CSE Calculus I
[MATH]
(4.0 cr)
or
MATH 1571H - Honors Calculus I
[MATH]
(4.0 cr)
Calculus II
MATH 1272 - Calculus II
(4.0 cr)
or
MATH 1372 - CSE Calculus II
(4.0 cr)
or
MATH 1572H - Honors Calculus II
(4.0 cr)
Calculus III or IV
MATH 2243 - Linear Algebra and Differential Equations
(4.0 cr)
or
MATH 2373 - CSE Linear Algebra and Differential Equations
(4.0 cr)
or
MATH 2574H - Honors Calculus IV
(4.0 cr)
or
MATH 2263 - Multivariable Calculus
(4.0 cr)
or
MATH 2374 - CSE Multivariable Calculus and Vector Analysis
(4.0 cr)
or
MATH 2573H - Honors Calculus III
(4.0 cr)
General Requirements
All students in baccalaureate degree programs 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.
Required courses for the major, minor or certificate in which a student receives a D grade (with or without plus or minus) do not count toward the major, minor or certificate (including transfer courses).
Program Requirements
In addition to the core coursework, students must select one of the five sub-plans (professional, biological, computational, teaching, engineering) and complete the respective additional programmatic requirements (48-52 cr). These requirements are subject to departmental review for each student. Requirements for each sub-plan are detailed below.
Students intending to pursue graduate study in physics are strongly encouraged to take PHYS 4303.
Core Coursework
Lower Division Core Physics Requirements
PHYS 2601 - Quantum Physics
(4.0 cr)
PHYS 2605 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
Remaining Calculus III or IV Course
MATH 2243 - Linear Algebra and Differential Equations
(4.0 cr)
or
MATH 2373 - CSE Linear Algebra and Differential Equations
(4.0 cr)
or
MATH 2574H - Honors Calculus IV
(4.0 cr)
or
MATH 2263 - Multivariable Calculus
(4.0 cr)
or
MATH 2374 - CSE Multivariable Calculus and Vector Analysis
(4.0 cr)
or
MATH 2573H - Honors Calculus III
(4.0 cr)
Program Sub-plans
Students are required to complete one of the following sub-plans.
Professional
This sub-plan is ideal for students who want the strongest possible grounding in physics. It is designed to suit the needs of students who are interested in fundamental physics or astrophysics, applying physics to the workplace, or who are planning on continuing their physics education in graduate school.
Professional Physics Sub-plan: Additional Programmatic Requirements (50 cr)
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)
PHYS 4051 - Methods of Experimental Physics I
(5.0 cr)
PHYS 4052W - Methods of Experimental Physics II
[WI]
(5.0 cr)
Technical Electives (25 cr)
Take technical electives with the approval of your adviser. These are in addition to any courses listed above. Technical electives must include at least one upper division physics elective (3-4 cr) and at least one upper division math elective (3-4 cr). A physics elective is any course with a PHYS designator at 3xxx and above. PHYS 4303 is strongly recommended for those intending to pursue graduate study.
Technical electives must total 25 credits. A technical elective is any course in CSE or CBS at 3xxx and above. A 1xxx CSCI programming course in java and C++ is also accepted.
Biological
Students who are interested in entering the biological sciences or medicine will find this sub-plan an attractive option. Physics applies to biology at all levels, from the basics of biosystems to biomedical engineering. This option can be very useful to students who want to pursue a career in biomedical industry. It also provides a strong foundation for students interested in pursuing an advanced degree in biophysics, molecular biology, physiology, medical physics, biomedical engineering, or medical school. Combined with the physics core curriculum this biological sub-plan gives students powerful tools to achieve their goals.
Biological Sub-plan: Additional Programmatic Requirements (54 cr)
Chemistry Requirements
CHEM 1061 - Chemical Principles I
[PHYS]
(3.0 cr)
CHEM 1065 - Chemical Principles I Laboratory
[PHYS]
(1.0 cr)
CHEM 1062 - Chemical Principles II
[PHYS]
(3.0 cr)
CHEM 1066 - Chemical Principles II Laboratory
[PHYS]
(1.0 cr)
CHEM 2301 - Organic Chemistry I
(3.0 cr)
Biochemistry Requirements
BIOC 3021 - Biochemistry
(3.0 cr)
Upper Division Physics Requirements
Up to 2 of these may be replaced by similar courses in other departments with adviser approval.
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)
Methods of Experimental Physics
PHYS 4051 - Methods of Experimental Physics I
(5.0 cr)
PHYS 4052W - Methods of Experimental Physics II
[WI]
(5.0 cr)
Technical Electives (11 cr)
Take technical electives in biology and related areas with approval of adviser. These are in addition to any courses listed above. When choosing the appropriate courses for the biology requirement, students should consult with faculty who have expertise in these areas. It is strongly recommended that the technical electives include PHYS 4911.
Technical electives must total 11 credits. A technical elective is any course in CSE or CBS at 3xxx or above. A 1xxx CSCI programming course in java and C++ is also accepted.
Computational
This sub-plan is ideal for students who seek a strong grounding in physics and the computational techniques used in physics research. Computational physics connects physics, computer science, and applied mathematics to provide scientific solutions to realistic and often complex problems. Students who are interested in moving directly into industry, as well as those who want to pursue a graduate degree in physics will find this program valuable.
Computational Sub-plan: Additional Programmatic Requirements (50-52 cr)
Upper Division Physics Requirements
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)
Methods of Experimental Physics
PHYS 4051 - Methods of Experimental Physics I
(5.0 cr)
Approved PHYS 4994 (3+ cr) project with significant computational component may be substituted for 4052W.
PHYS 4052W - Methods of Experimental Physics II
[WI]
(5.0 cr)
or
PHYS 4994 - Directed Research
(1.0-5.0 cr)
Computer Programming
Intro to C/C++
CSCI 1113 - Introduction to C/C++ Programming for Scientists and Engineers
(4.0 cr)
or
A comparable computer language course may be substituted for CSCI 1113.
Structure of Computer Programming
CSCI 1901 {Inactive}
(4.0 cr)
Technical Electives (19 cr)
Take technical electives with approval of adviser. These are in addition to any courses listed above. AST 4101/PHYS 4041 is strongly recommended. At least one of the electives must be a course emphasizing the application of computational methods. For example: CHEM 4021 and AEM 5251.
Technical electives must total 19 credits. A technical elective is any course in CSE or CBS at 3xxx and above.
Teaching
For students who are interested in teaching secondary school physics, this program offers a versatile broad-based education. It is particularly useful to students who are planning on teaching in Minnesota, as it has been optimized to fit well with the new state licensure procedures. And, should a student's needs or plans change, this program combined with the physics core curriculum also prepares him or her for a variety of other career tracks, including graduate study in physics.
Teaching Sub-plan: Additional Programmatic Requirements (55 cr)
Upper Division Physics Requirements
Take 2 or more course(s) from the following:
·
PHYS 4001 - Analytical Mechanics
(4.0 cr)
·
PHYS 4002 - Electricity and Magnetism
(4.0 cr)
·
PHYS 4101 - Quantum Mechanics
(4.0 cr)
Methods of Experimental Physics
PHYS 4051 - Methods of Experimental Physics I
(5.0 cr)
PHYS 4052W - Methods of Experimental Physics II
[WI]
(5.0 cr)
Historical and Social Perspectives of Science
Take 1 or more course(s) from the following:
·
PHYS 4121W - History of 20th-Century Physics
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
HSCI 3814 - Revolutions in Science: The Babylonians to Newton
[HIS, GP]
(3.0-4.0 cr)
·
HSCI 3815 - Making Modern Science: Atoms, Genes and Quanta
[HIS, GP]
(3.0-4.0 cr)
General Psychology
Meets Lib Ed requirement of Social Sciences; therefore, credits do not count towards major.
Take 1 or more course(s) from the following:
·
PSTL 1281 {Inactive}
[SOCS]
(4.0 cr)
·
PSY 1001 - Introduction to Psychology
[SOCS]
(4.0 cr)
Philosophical Foundations
Take 1 or more course(s) from the following:
·
PHIL 1005 - Scientific Reasoning
(4.0 cr)
·
PHIL 3601W - Scientific Thought
[WI]
(4.0 cr)
Technical Electives (26 cr)
Take technical electives in physics and related areas with adviser approval. These are in addition to any courses listed above. Students who intend to pursue physics graduate school are strongly encouraged to take all 4 upper division core courses: PHYS 4001, 4002, 4101, 4201. Up to 8 credits will count toward intro CHEM or BIO requirements for the general teaching licensure. Note: Courses used to satisfy liberal ed requirements cannot be counted as technical electives.
Technical Electives must total 26 credits. A technical elective is any course in CSE or CBS at 3xxx and above. A 1xxx CSCI programming course in java and C++ is also accepted.
Engineering
Students who are interested in the practical application of physics to the engineering fields, but who would like a less specialized education than they would find in an engineering department, will find that this sub-plan provides them with a solid education. In addition to the strong physics core curriculum, students can either focus on one area of engineering or explore a broad range of interests across a number of engineering fields. Students who are interested in moving directly into industry, as well as those who want to pursue a graduate degree in either engineering or physics will find this program valuable.
Engineering Sub-plan: Additional Programmatic Requirements (50 cr)
Note that CHEM 1061 and 1065, which are required for several of the engineering majors, are strongly recommended.
Upper Division Physics Requirements
Up to 2 of these may be replaced by courses covering related material in other CSE departments with adviser approval.
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)
Methods of Experimental Physics
PHYS 4051 - Methods of Experimental Physics I
(5.0 cr)
PHYS 4052W - Methods of Experimental Physics II
[WI]
(5.0 cr)
Technical Electives (25 cr)
Take technical electives in engineering and related areas with approval of adviser. These are in addition to any courses listed above. In filling the engineering portion of the technical electives, credits can be taken in a single area or distributed across several engineering fields, depending on a student's interest.
Technical Electives must total 25 credits. A technical elective is any course in CSE or CBS at 3xxx and above. A 1xxx CSCI programming course in java and C++ is also accepted.
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