Physics B.S.
Physics Major
The B.S. Physics major requires a minimum of 120 total hours to graduate. This total includes UNIFI/General Education requirements and the following specified major requirements, plus electives to complete the minimum of 120 hours.
Note: To graduate with a B.S. degree in Physics, a student must earn an overall grade point average of at least 2.50 in all courses applied toward the major.
| Required | ||
| Mathematics: | ||
| MATH 1420 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MATH 1421 | Calculus II | 4 |
| MATH 2422 | Calculus III | 4 |
| Physics: | ||
| 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 2700 | Mathematical Methods of Physics & Engineering | 3 |
| PHYSICS 3000 | Undergraduate Research in Physics @ | 2 |
| or PHYSICS 3500 | Internship in Applied Physics | |
| PHYSICS 3700 | Physics Seminar | 1 |
| PHYSICS 4100/5100 | Modern Physics | 4 |
| PHYSICS 4110/5110 | Modern Physics Laboratory | 2 |
| PHYSICS 4300/5300 | Introduction to Electronics | 4 |
| PHYSICS 4600/5600 | Classical Mechanics | 4 |
| PHYSICS 4700/5700 | Electrodynamics | 4 |
| PHYSICS 4860/5860 | Computational Physics | 3 |
| PHYSICS 4900/5900 | Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics | 4 |
| Electives | ||
| Physics, Natural Science, or Math Electives * | 4 | |
| Total Hours | 59 | |
- *
Electives must be mathematics or science courses that count toward a major of the department offering the course. Electives should be selected with the advice of an academic adviser in Physics.
- @
This course meets the Bachelor of Science degree undergraduate research requirement.
Honors Research
Students who complete a sustained research project in physics may be invited to do Honors Research. Students must first complete 4 credit hours of PHYSICS 3000 Undergraduate Research in Physics and then 1 credit hour of PHYSICS 4990 Senior Thesis.
Four-Year Plan
Physics, B.S.
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 | 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 | ||
| MATH 2422 | Calculus III | 4 |
| PHYSICS 2300 | Physics III: Theory and Simulation | 3 |
| UNIFI: Human Condition (Domestic) | 3 | |
| University Elective | 6 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| PHYSICS 4100/5100 | Modern Physics | 4 |
| PHYSICS 4110/5110 | Modern Physics Laboratory | 2 |
| PHYSICS 2700 | Mathematical Methods of Physics & Engineering | 3 |
| UNIFI: Responsibility | 3 | |
| University Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Junior | ||
| Fall | ||
| PHYSICS 3000 | Undergraduate Research in Physics | 2 |
| PHYSICS 3700 | Physics Seminar | 1 |
| PHYSICS 4300/5300 | Introduction to Electronics (or PHYSICS 4700/5700 Electrodynamics) | 4 |
| PHYSICS 4600/5600 | Classical Mechanics | 4 |
| UNIFI: Connect | 3 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| PHYSICS 4900/5900 | Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics | 4 |
| UNIFI: Connect | 3 | |
| University Electives | 10 | |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Senior | ||
| Fall | ||
| PHYSICS 4700/5700 | Electrodynamics (or PHYSICS 4300/5300 Introduction to Electronics) | 4 |
| UNIFI: Connect | 3 | |
| University Electives | 9 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| PHYSICS 4800/5800 | Quantum Mechanics (PHYSICS Elective) | 4 |
| PHYSICS 4860/5860 | Computational Physics | 3 |
| UNIFI: Connect | 3 | |
| University Electives | 3 | |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
- *
Note: To graduate with a B.S. degree in Physics, a student must earn an overall grade point average of at least 2.50 in all courses applied toward the major.
Learning Outcomes
Physics, B.S.
- Apply Techniques of Experimental Physics
- Understand Principles of Theoretical Physics
- Apply Techniques of Computational Physics
- Integrate and Apply Classroom Learning
- Be Prepared for Employment or Graduate Study
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 successful B.S. student must also acquire and demonstrate skills in career preparation as well as advanced knowledge in three areas: classical mechanics, thermodynamics and statistical mechanics, and computational physics.