Morris campus

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Morris Campus

Physics B.A.

Division of Science & Mathematics - Adm
Division of Science and Mathematics
  • Program Type: Baccalaureate
  • Requirements for this program are current for Fall 2023
  • Required credits to graduate with this degree: 120
  • Required credits within the major: 58
  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts
The physics program is designed to develop the following student learning outcomes: 1. Students will understand the concepts of classical and modern physics while also developing their ability to solve quantitative problems in these areas. 2. Students acquire the skills necessary to perform experimental work. 3. The program develops students' ability to communicate, in form and content, both orally and in writing, the results of scientific work. The physics program offers a background suitable for students planning to pursue graduate study or careers in industry, research, or teaching. It also provides a solid foundation for any career requiring analytical reasoning.
Program Delivery
This program is available:
  • via classroom (the majority of instruction is face-to-face)
Admission Requirements
For information about University of Minnesota admission requirements, visit the Office of Admissions website.
General Requirements
All students are required to complete general University and college requirements. For more information, see the general education requirements.
Program Requirements
Students are required to complete 2 semester(s) of any second language. with a grade of C-, or better, or S, or demonstrate proficiency in the language(s) as defined by the department or college.
Courses may not be taken S/N. A minimum GPA of 2.00 is required in the major to graduate. The GPA includes all, and only, University of Minnesota coursework. Grades of F are included in GPA calculation until they are replaced. No grades below C- are allowed.
Required Courses
MATH 1101 - Calculus I [M/SR] (5.0 cr)
MATH 1102 - Calculus II [M/SR] (5.0 cr)
MATH 2101 - Calculus III [M/SR] (4.0 cr)
MATH 2401W - Differential Equations [M/SR] (4.0 cr)
PHYS 1101 - General Physics I [SCI-L] (5.0 cr)
PHYS 1102 - General Physics II [SCI-L] (5.0 cr)
PHYS 2101 - Modern Physics [SCI-L] (4.0 cr)
PHYS 3101 - Classical Mechanics [SCI] (4.0 cr)
PHYS 4101 - Electromagnetism (4.0 cr)
PHYS 4201 - Quantum Mechanics (4.0 cr)
PHYS 4901 - Senior Thesis I (1.0 cr)
PHYS 4902 - Senior Thesis II (1.0 cr)
Elective Courses
Take 12 or more credit(s) from the following:
· PHYS 2201 - Circuits and Electronic Devices [SCI-L] (4.0 cr)
· PHYS 3003 - Computer Modeling of Materials [SCI] (2.0 cr)
· PHYS 3004 - Atmospheric Physics [ENVT] (4.0 cr)
· PHYS 3151 - Solid State Physics (2.0 cr)
· PHYS 3154 - Biomedical Physics (2.0 cr)
· PHYS 3301 - Optics (4.0 cr)
· PHYS 3401 - Experimental Physics [SCI-L] (4.0 cr)
· PHYS 3501 - Statistical Physics [SCI] (4.0 cr)
· Also available as an elective through Multi-I Twin Cities: AST 2001 - Introduction to Astrophysics
 
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MATH 1101 - Calculus I (M/SR)
Credits: 5.0 [max 5.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Limits and continuity; the concepts, properties, and some techniques of differentiation, antidifferentiation, and definite integration and their connection by the Fundamental Theorem. Partial differentiation. Some applications. Students learn the basics of a computer algebra system. prereq: 1012, 1013 or placement
MATH 1102 - Calculus II (M/SR)
Credits: 5.0 [max 5.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Techniques of integration. Further applications involving mathematical modeling and solution of simple differential equations. Taylor's Theorem. Limits of sequences. Use and theory of convergence of power series. Students use a computer algebra system. prereq: 1101
MATH 2101 - Calculus III (M/SR)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Multivariable and vector calculus. Three-dimensional analytic geometry; partial differentiation; multiple integration; gradient, divergence, and curl; line and surface integrals; divergence theorem; Green and Stokes theorems; applications. prereq: 1102 or instr consent
MATH 2401W - Differential Equations (M/SR)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall
First-order and second-order differential equations with methods of solution and applications, Laplace transforms, systems of equations, series solutions, existence and uniqueness theorems, the qualitative theory of differential equations. prereq: 1102 or instr consent
PHYS 1101 - General Physics I (SCI-L)
Credits: 5.0 [max 5.0]
Typically offered: Every Spring
Vectors, kinematics, laws of motion, circular motion, work-energy theorem, conservation principles, rotational motion, gravitation, simple harmonic oscillations, wave phenomena, fluid mechanics, thermal properties of matter, kinetic theory, laws of thermodynamics. (4 hrs lect and rec, 2 hrs lab) prereq: Math 1101 or instr consent
PHYS 1102 - General Physics II (SCI-L)
Credits: 5.0 [max 5.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall
Coulomb's law, electric field, Gauss's law, electric potential, capacitance, dielectrics, current, resistance, circuits, magnetic field, Ampere's law, inductance, Faraday's law, AC circuits, Maxwell's equations, electromagnetic waves, nature of light, reflection, refraction, optical instruments, interference, diffraction. (4 hrs lect and rec, 2 hrs lab) prereq: 1101, Math 1102 or instr consent
PHYS 2101 - Modern Physics (SCI-L)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Typically offered: Every Spring
Special relativity, quantum nature of matter and radiation, Bohr-Sommerfeld atom, atomic spectra, uncertainty principle, Schrodinger equation, hydrogen atom, electron spin, Pauli principle, and periodic table. (3 hrs lect, 3 hrs lab) prereq: 1102, Math 2401 or instr consent
PHYS 3101 - Classical Mechanics (SCI)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Typically offered: Fall Even Year
Kinematics and dynamics of a particle, oscillations, central-force motion, systems of particles, rigid-body rotations, gravitation, non-inertial coordinate systems, Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulations, dynamics of rigid bodies. (4 hrs lect) prereq: 2101, Math 2101 or instr consent
PHYS 4101 - Electromagnetism
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Typically offered: Fall Odd Year
Vector calculus, electrostatics, Laplace and Poisson equations, dielectrics, magnetostatics, magnetic properties of matter, electromagnetic induction, Maxwell's equations, electrodynamics, electromagnetic waves. (4 hrs lect) prereq: 2101, Math 2101 or instr consent
PHYS 4201 - Quantum Mechanics
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Typically offered: Every Spring
Uncertainty principle, Schroedinger equation, commutation relations, momentum space wave functions, Dirac notation, applications to problems in one dimension and the hydrogen atom, angular momentum. (4 hrs lect) prereq: 2101, Math 2101
PHYS 4901 - Senior Thesis I
Credits: 1.0 [max 1.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall
Capstone experience in physics. Students work with recent journal articles in physics, practice technical writing, and identify a thesis topic. prereq: sr
PHYS 4902 - Senior Thesis II
Credits: 1.0 [max 1.0]
Typically offered: Every Spring
Students develop and present their senior theses orally and in writing. prereq: 4901
PHYS 2201 - Circuits and Electronic Devices (SCI-L)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
A hands-on practical course in electronics. Analog electronics including AC and DC circuit analysis, passive circuit elements, pn junctions, transistors, and op-amp circuits. Digital electronics including combinational logic, sequential logic, and modern digital electronic devices. (3 hrs lect, 3 hrs lab) prereq: 1102 or instr consent
PHYS 3003 - Computer Modeling of Materials (SCI)
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
Focus on the description of materials as assemblies of microscopic particles, covering aspects of molecular dynamics simulations in various statistical ensembles. Skills in scientific programming, visualization and parallel programming are developed through a semester-long project in which students develop a series of molecular dynamics modules. prereq: 1102
PHYS 3004 - Atmospheric Physics (ENVT)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Typically offered: Fall Odd Year
Introduction to atmospheric physics with an emphasis on thermodynamics. Atmospheric thermodynamics including gas laws, phase transitions, laws of thermodynamics, two-component systems, atmospheric stability; radiative transfer including atmospheric optics and remote sensing; some aspects of atmospheric chemistry such as aerosols, chemical cycles, traces gases; cloud microphysics including nucleation and growth; and atmospheric dynamics including equations of motion for fluid flow; applications to weather systems. (4 hrs lect) [Note: no credit for students who have received cr for Phys 2301] prereq: 1092 or 1102, Math 1102
PHYS 3151 - Solid State Physics
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
An introduction to crystal lattices, Bravais lattices, electronic band structure in metals and semi-metals, cohesive energy of solids, phonon structure, magnetic properties. prereq: 2101, Math 2101
PHYS 3154 - Biomedical Physics
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
Topics from the physics of biological systems and/or medical physics. May include: biomechanics, transport, bioelectricity, biomagnetism, medical imaging, and/or nuclear medicine. prereq: 1092 or 1102 and Math 1021 or Math 1101 or instr consent
PHYS 3301 - Optics
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
Light as a wave phenomenon, electromagnetic nature of light, Huygens' principle, interference, diffraction--Fraunhofer and Fresnel, polarization, dispersion, absorption and scattering. (2-65 min lect, one 180-min lab) [Note: no credit for students who have received cr for Phys 2401] prereq: 1102
PHYS 3401 - Experimental Physics (SCI-L)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
An introduction to modern experimental methods. (3 hrs lect, 3 hrs lab) prereq: 2101
PHYS 3501 - Statistical Physics (SCI)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
Probability distributions, statistical ensembles, statistical thermodynamics, ideal gases, quantum statistics, kinetic theory of transport phenomena. (4 hrs lect) prereq: 2101