Campuses:
This is archival data. This system was retired as of August 21, 2023 and the information on this page has not been updated since then. For current information, visit catalogs.umn.edu.
Duluth Campus
Physics B.S.UMD-Physics & Astronomy
Swenson College of Science and Engineering
The bachelor of science degree in physics is primarily for students planning to work toward an advanced degree in physics or a related area. The physics courses emphasize conceptual foundations, problem-solving skills, and experimental techniques.
Students are encouraged to participate in research. The department also offers courses required for other science and engineering programs.
Honors requirements: To graduate with honors, students must participate in the department honors program, complete and present a research project, and maintain a GPA above 3.00 overall and in the major. They are also expected to attend department colloquia. Interested students should contact the physics honors program coordinator.
Program Delivery
This program is available:
Admission Requirements
For information about University of Minnesota admission requirements, visit the
Office of Admissions
website.
General Requirements
Program Requirements
1. A minor or a second major in a different program.
2. The first math course is determined by ACT math score. The sample plan presupposes placement into MATH 1296.
3. Courses numbered above 3xxx may be offered in alternate years only. Some courses suggested in the sample plans in the junior and senior years may need to be switched to match the course offerings.
4. Students interested in teaching 9-12 physics may enroll concurrently in the Department of Education and apply for admission to the Secondary Teacher Education Program.
5. Taking the Honors General Physics I course (PHYS 2017) is recommended but not required.
6. Recommended courses from other programs include CHEM 1153 - General Chemistry I; CHEM 1154 - General Chemistry Lab I; and one Computer Science course either - CS 1411 - Introduction to Programming in Mathlab or CS 1511 - Computer Science I or CS 1581 - Honors: Computer Science I
Required Courses (36 cr)
Physics I course
PHYS 2013 - General Physics I
[LE CAT, NAT SCI]
(4.0 cr)
or
PHYS 2017 - Honors: General Physics I
[NAT SCI]
(4.0 cr)
Physics I lab
PHYS 2014 - General Physics Lab I
[NAT SCI]
(1.0 cr)
Physics II course
PHYS 2015 - General Physics II
(4.0 cr)
or
PHYS 2018 - Honors General Physics II
(4.0 cr)
Physics II lab
PHYS 2016 - General Physics Lab II
(1.0 cr)
Core Courses
PHYS 2021 - Relativity and Quantum Physics
(4.0 cr)
PHYS 2022 - Classical Physics
(4.0 cr)
PHYS 2033 - Classical and Quantum Physics Lab
(2.0 cr)
PHYS 3033 - Analytical Methods in Physics
(3.0 cr)
PHYS 4001 - Classical Mechanics
(4.0 cr)
PHYS 4011 - Electromagnetic Theory
(4.0 cr)
PHYS 4021 - Quantum Physics II
(4.0 cr)
PHYS 4090 - Undergraduate Physics Seminar
(1.0 cr)
Electives (9 cr)
Take 9 or more credit(s) from the following:
·
AST 4110 - Observational Astronomy
(3.0 cr)
·
PHYS 3061 - Instrumentation
(3.0 cr)
·
PHYS 3091 - Independent Study
(1.0-3.0 cr)
·
PHYS 3094 - Physics Research
(1.0-6.0 cr)
·
PHYS 3561 - Astrophysics I Stellar Astrophysics
(3.0 cr)
·
PHYS 4031 - Thermal and Statistical Physics
(4.0 cr)
·
PHYS 5033 - Introduction to Particle Physics
(3.0 cr)
·
PHYS 5041 - Optics
(3.0 cr)
·
PHYS 5052 - Computational Methods in Physics
(3.0 cr)
·
PHYS 5053 - Data Analysis Methods in Physics
(3.0 cr)
·
PHYS 5061 - Experimental Methods
(3.0 cr)
·
PHYS 5063 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
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Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 1.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 1.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | PHYS 2033/2031 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 1.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Spring Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Fall Even Year |
Credits: | 1.0 -3.0 [max 6.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 -6.0 [max 6.0] |
Grading Basis: | S-N or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | AST 3561/PHYS 3561 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Fall Even Year |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Prerequisites: | 2021, 2022, MATH 3280, 3298 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Spring Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Fall Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Fall Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Spring Odd Year |
Credits: | 5.0 [max 5.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Math1290/1296/1596 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 5.0 [max 5.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Math 1597/1297 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |