Physics B.A.
Physics Major
The B.A. Physics Major is suitable for students who are interested in physics but are looking for a more interdisciplinary experience than the B.S. Physics Major. Potential careers include, for example, computer science, data science, medicine, business, or law. The B.A. Physics Major requires a minimum of 120 total hours for graduation. This includes the major requirements and electives specified below, as well as UNIFI/General Education requirements.
The B.A. Physics major has four emphases: Custom Emphasis, Data Science Emphasis, Physical Chemistry Emphasis, and Computer Science and Data Science. Students should choose one emphasis. Each emphasis requires completion of a common physics core, a common mathematics core and electives. The Data Science Emphasis has an additional core of data science-related courses and a required project.
Custom Emphasis
The Custom Emphasis is designed to combine a core understanding of physics with additional course work from other disciplines. The flexibility of this major makes it ideal for students interested in dual majors or one or more minors. The rigor of the program allows students to better prepare themselves for careers in any field, especially those related to science or technology. Students work with an advisor to create an individualized emphasis to best meet their needs.
| Required Physics Core: | ||
| PHYSICS 1100 | First-Year Projects in Physics | 1 |
| PHYSICS 1701 | Physics I for Science and Engineering | 4 |
| PHYSICS 1702 | Physics II for Science and Engineering | 4 |
| PHYSICS 2300 | Physics III: Theory and Simulation | 3 |
| PHYSICS 4100/5100 | Modern Physics | 4 |
| PHYSICS 4110/5110 | Modern Physics Laboratory | 2 |
| Required Mathematics Core: | ||
| MATH 1420 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MATH 1421 | Calculus II | 4 |
| Electives: | ||
| Physics: | 7 | |
3000-level and above | ||
No more than 2 hours of PHYSICS 3000 Undergraduate Research | ||
| Natural Sciences or Other Disciplines | 9 | |
Elective courses must count toward a major in the department that offers the course. | ||
Mathematics courses must be higher level than MATH 1421. | ||
| Total Hours | 42 | |
Data Science Emphasis
The Data Science Emphasis integrates significant course work in physics, statistics and business analytics with electives from other areas such as Geographic Information Systems and computer programming. The goal is for students to develop broad-based skills in the analysis of data and the extraction of gainful information about a variety of systems.
| Required Physics Core | ||
| PHYSICS 1100 | First-Year Projects in Physics | 1 |
| PHYSICS 1701 | Physics I for Science and Engineering | 4 |
| PHYSICS 1702 | Physics II for Science and Engineering | 4 |
| PHYSICS 2300 | Physics III: Theory and Simulation | 3 |
| PHYSICS 4100/5100 | Modern Physics | 4 |
| PHYSICS 4110/5110 | Modern Physics Laboratory | 2 |
| Required Mathematics Core | ||
| MATH 1420 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MATH 1421 | Calculus II | 4 |
| Required Data Science Core | ||
| STAT 1772 | Introduction to Statistical Methods | 3 |
| STAT 4772/5772 | Statistical Computing I | 3 |
| ECON 1011 | Statistics for Business Analytics | 3 |
| ECON 2090 | Decision Analytics | 3 |
| Required Data Science Project | ||
| PHYSICS 3000 | Undergraduate Research in Physics | 1 |
| or PHYSICS 3500 | Internship in Applied Physics | |
| Electives | 3-4 | |
| Elective requirements should be chosen from the following: (Other choices will need departmental approval) | ||
| Introduction to Computing | ||
| Geographic Information Systems I | ||
| Mathematics of Finance | ||
| Introduction to Probability | ||
| Applied Statistical Methods for Research | ||
| Total Hours | 42-43 | |
Physical Chemistry Emphasis
The Physical Chemistry Emphasis is intended to facilitate deeper study of physics by chemistry or biochemistry majors. The study of more-advanced physics topics will enhance problem-solving skills and promote greater understanding of chemistry and biochemistry though connections with quantum mechanics, electricity & magnetism, and classical mechanics studied in physics.
| Required Physics Core: | ||
| PHYSICS 1100 | First-Year Projects in Physics | 1 |
| PHYSICS 1701 | Physics I for Science and Engineering | 4 |
| PHYSICS 1702 | Physics II for Science and Engineering | 4 |
| PHYSICS 2300 | Physics III: Theory and Simulation | 3 |
| PHYSICS 4100/5100 | Modern Physics | 4 |
| Required Chemistry Core: | ||
| CHEM 1110 & CHEM 1120 | General Chemistry I and General Chemistry II | 5-8 |
| or CHEM 1130 | General Chemistry I-II | |
| CHEM 4420/5420 | Physical Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 4430/5430 | Physical Chemistry II | 3 |
| Required Mathematics Core: | ||
| MATH 1420 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MATH 1421 | Calculus II | 4 |
| Advanced Laboratory: | 2 | |
| Choose one of the following | ||
| Modern Physics Laboratory | ||
| Physical Chemistry Laboratory * | ||
| Applied Physics: | 3-4 | |
| Physics of Modern Materials * | ||
| Biological Physics | ||
| Introduction to Electronics | ||
| Electives: | 2-3 | |
| 3000-level Physics or above (no more than 1 hour of PHYSICS 3000 Undergraduate Research in Physics); or 3000-level Chemistry/Biochemistry or above (no more than 1 hour of CHEM 3600 Undergraduate Research in Chemistry) | ||
| Total Hours | 42-47 | |
- *
CHEM 4440/5440 has CHEM 2320 and CHEM 2330 and CHEM 4420/5420 and junior standing as prerequisites
PHYSICS 4750/5750 has PHYSICS 1701 and PHYSICS 1702 and MATH 2422 and junior standing as prerequisites.
Computer Science and Data Science Emphasis
The Computer Science and Data Science Emphasis is suitable for students majoring in computer science who are seeking a deeper background in physics and data science. It may also function as a standalone major. It is especially appropriate for students who intend to pursue careers in software engineering related to data science or science and technology.
| Physics Core | ||
| PHYSICS 1100 | First-Year Projects in Physics | 1 |
| PHYSICS 1701 | Physics I for Science and Engineering | 4 |
| or PHYSICS 1511 | General Physics I | |
| PHYSICS 1702 | Physics II for Science and Engineering | 4 |
| PHYSICS 2300 | Physics III: Theory and Simulation | 3 |
| PHYSICS 3100 | Introduction to Quantum Computing | 3 |
| PHYSICS 4100/5100 | Modern Physics | 4 |
| PHYSICS 4160/5160 | Data Visualization, Modeling and Simulation | 3 |
| Computer Science and Data Science | ||
| CS 1510 | Introduction to Computing | 4 |
| CS 2150 | Computing for Data Science | 3-7 |
OR | ||
| CS 1520 & CS 1800 | Data Structures and Discrete Structures | |
| CS 3140/5140 | Database Systems | 3 |
| STAT 4784/5784 | Introduction to Machine Learning | 3 |
| Mathematics and Statistics | ||
| MATH 1420 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MATH 1421 | Calculus II | 4 |
| STAT 1772 | Introduction to Statistical Methods | 3 |
| Total Hours | 46-50 | |
Four-Year Plan
Physics: Custom, B.A.
This is a sample plan of study with a suggested sequencing of classes for the major. University electives may be applied to earn additional academic majors, minors, or certificates. Students should regularly meet with their academic advisor to plan their specific semester schedule to include UNIFI/General Education program and/or university elective hours required.
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hour | |
| MATH 1420 | Calculus I (satisfies UNIFI: Quantitative Reasoning) | 4 |
| PHYSICS 1100 | First-Year Projects in Physics | 1 |
| PHYSICS 1701 | Physics I for Science and Engineering (satisfies UNIFI: Scientific Reasoning) | 4 |
| UNIFI: Written Communication | 3 | |
| UNIFI: Human Expression | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| MATH 1421 | Calculus II | 4 |
| PHYSICS 1702 | Physics II for Science and Engineering | 4 |
| UNIFI: Oral Communication | 3 | |
| UNIFI: Human Condition (Global) | 3 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Fall | ||
| PHYSICS 2300 | Physics III: Theory and Simulation | 3 |
| UNIFI: Human Condition (Domestic) | 3 | |
| Physics Elective | 3 | |
| University Electives | 7 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| PHYSICS 4100/5100 | Modern Physics | 4 |
| PHYSICS 4110/5110 | Modern Physics Laboratory | 2 |
| UNIFI: Responsibility | 3 | |
| Natural Science or other Major Elective | 3 | |
| University Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Junior | ||
| Fall | ||
| UNIFI: Connect | 3 | |
| Physics Elective | 4 | |
| Natural Science or other Major Elective | 3 | |
| University Elective | 6 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| UNIFI: Connect | 3 | |
| University Electives | 12 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Senior | ||
| Fall | ||
| UNIFI: Connect | 3 | |
| Natural Science or other Major Elective | 3 | |
| University Electives | 9 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| UNIFI: Connect | 3 | |
| University Electives | 11 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Physics: Data Science, B.A.
This is a sample plan of study with a suggested sequencing of classes for the major. University electives may be applied to earn additional academic majors, minors, or certificates. Students should regularly meet with their academic advisor to plan their specific semester schedule to include UNIFI/General Education program and/or university elective hours required.
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hour | |
| MATH 1420 | Calculus I (satisfies UNIFI: Quantitative Reasoning) | 4 |
| PHYSICS 1100 | First-Year Projects in Physics | 1 |
| PHYSICS 1701 | Physics I for Science and Engineering | 4 |
| UNIFI: Written Communication | 3 | |
| UNIFI: Human Expression | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| MATH 1421 | Calculus II | 4 |
| PHYSICS 1702 | Physics II for Science and Engineering | 4 |
| UNIFI: Oral Communication | 3 | |
| UNIFI: Human Condition (Global) | 3 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Fall | ||
| PHYSICS 2300 | Physics III: Theory and Simulation | 3 |
| STAT 1772 | Introduction to Statistical Methods | 3 |
| UNIFI: Human Condition (Domestic) | 3 | |
| University Electives | 7 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| PHYSICS 4100/5100 | Modern Physics | 4 |
| PHYSICS 4110/5110 | Modern Physics Laboratory | 2 |
| ECON 1011 | Statistics for Business Analytics | 3 |
| UNIFI: Responsibility | 3 | |
| University Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Junior | ||
| Fall | ||
| ECON 2090 | Decision Analytics | 3 |
| STAT 4772/5772 | Statistical Computing I | 3 |
| UNIFI: Connect | 3 | |
| University Electives | 6 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| UNIFI: Connect | 3 | |
| Data Science Elective | 3-4 | |
| University Electives | 8 | |
| Hours | 14-15 | |
| Senior | ||
| Fall | ||
| PHYSICS 3000 | Undergraduate Research in Physics (Data Science Project) | 1 |
| UNIFI: Connect | 3 | |
| University Electives | 12 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| UNIFI: Connect | 3 | |
| University Electives | 12 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 120-121 | |
Physics: Physical Chemistry, B.A.
This is a sample plan of study with a suggested sequencing of classes for the major. University electives may be applied to earn additional academic majors, minors, or certificates. Students should regularly meet with their academic advisor to plan their specific semester schedule to include UNIFI/General Education program and/or university elective hours required.
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hour | |
| CHEM 1110 | General Chemistry I | 4 |
| PHYSICS 1701 | Physics I for Science and Engineering | 4 |
| MATH 1420 | Calculus I | 4 |
| UNIFI/General Education or University Electives | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| CHEM 1120 | General Chemistry II | 4 |
| PHYSICS 1702 | Physics II for Science and Engineering | 4 |
| MATH 1421 | Calculus II | 4 |
| UNIFI/General Education or University Electives | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Fall | ||
| PHYSICS 1100 | First-Year Projects in Physics | 1 |
| PHYSICS 2300 | Physics III: Theory and Simulation | 3 |
| UNIFI/General Education or University Electives | 12 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| PHYSICS 4100/5100 | Modern Physics | 4 |
| UNIFI/General Education or University Electives | 12 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Junior | ||
| Fall | ||
| CHEM 4420/5420 | Physical Chemistry I | 3 |
| UNIFI/General Education or University Electives | 13 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| CHEM 4430/5430 | Physical Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 4440/5440 | Physical Chemistry Laboratory (or PHYSICS 4110 Modern Physics Lab) | 2 |
| UNIFI/General Education or University Electives | 9 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Senior | ||
| Fall | ||
| PHYSICS 4750/5750 | Physics of Modern Materials (or PHYSICS 4500 Biological Physics or PHYSICS 4300 Introduction to Electronics) | 3 |
| UNIFI/General Education or University Electives | 11 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| UNIFI/General Education or University Electives | 11 | |
| Physics/Chemistry Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Physics: Computer Science and Data Science, B.A.
This is a sample plan of study with a suggested sequencing of classes for the major. University electives may be applied to earn additional academic majors, minors, or certificates. Students should regularly meet with their academic advisor to plan their specific semester schedule to include UNIFI/General Education program and/or university elective hours required.
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hour | |
| PHYSICS 1701 | Physics I for Science and Engineering | 4 |
| PHYSICS 1100 | First-Year Projects in Physics | 1 |
| MATH 1420 | Calculus I | 4 |
| UNFI: Written Communication | 3 | |
| UNIFI: Human Condition (Domestic) | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| PHYSICS 1702 | Physics II for Science and Engineering | 4 |
| MATH 1421 | Calculus II | 4 |
| UNIFI: Oral Communication | 3 | |
| UNIFI: Human Condition (Global) | 3 | |
| STAT 1772 | Introduction to Statistical Methods | 3 |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Fall | ||
| PHYSICS 2300 | Physics III: Theory and Simulation | 3 |
| CS 1510 | Introduction to Computing | 4 |
| UNIFI: Human Expression | 3 | |
| University Electives | 6 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| PHYSICS 4100/5100 | Modern Physics | 4 |
| PHYSICS 4110/5110 | Modern Physics Laboratory | 2 |
| CS 2150 | Computing for Data Science | 3 |
| UNIFI: Responsibility | 3 | |
| University Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Junior | ||
| Fall | ||
| PHYSICS 3100 | Introduction to Quantum Computing | 3 |
| CS 3140/5140 | Database Systems | 3 |
| UNIFI: Connect | 3 | |
| University Electives | 6 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| PHYSICS 4160/5160 | Data Visualization, Modeling and Simulation | 3 |
| UNIFI: Connect | 3 | |
| University Electives | 9 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Senior | ||
| Fall | ||
| STAT 4784/5784 | Introduction to Machine Learning | 3 |
| UNIFI: Connect | 3 | |
| University Electives | 9 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| University Electives | 12 | |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Learning Outcomes
Physics: Custom, B.A.
- Apply Techniques of Experimental Physics
- Understand Principles of Theoretical Physics
- Apply Techniques of Computational Physics
A student who has earned a bachelor’s degree in physics from the University of Northern Iowa must demonstrate competence at the introductory (second-year) level in all three content areas (experimental, theoretical, and computational) through course-level outcomes aligned with each branch. A student with the Custom Emphasis must also acquire and demonstrate knowledge and understanding of physics beyond the introductory level.
Physics: Data Science, B.A.
- Apply Techniques of Experimental Physics
- Understand Principles of Theoretical Physics
- Apply Techniques of Computational Physics
A student who has earned a bachelor’s degree in physics from the University of Northern Iowa must demonstrate competence at the introductory (second-year) level in all three content areas (experimental, theoretical, and computational) through course-level outcomes aligned with each branch. A student with the Data Science Emphasis must also meet learning outcomes of courses in statistics and data analytics taken outside of the Physics Department.
Physics: Physical Chemistry, B.A.
- Apply Techniques of Experimental Physics
- Understand Principles of Theoretical Physics
- Apply Techniques of Computational Physics
A student who has earned a bachelor’s degree in physics from the University of Northern Iowa must demonstrate competence at the introductory level (second-year) in all three content areas (experimental, theoretical, and computational) through course-level outcomes aligned with each branch. A student with the Physical Chemistry Emphasis must also meet the learning outcomes of their chemistry courses.
Physics: Computer Science and Data Science, B.A.
- Apply Techniques of Experimental Physics
- Understand Principles of Theoretical Physics
- Apply Techniques of Computational Physics
A student who has earned a bachelor’s degree in physics from the University of Northern Iowa must demonstrate competence at the introductory level (second-year) in all three content areas (experimental, theoretical, and computational) through course-level outcomes aligned with each branch. A student with the Computer Science and Data Science Emphasis must also meet the learning outcomes of the required courses in computer science and data science.