Physics, Bachelor of Science

Offered by Department of Physics and Astronomy

General Education
Foundational Requirements (LOPERs 1-4)14
Including:
LOPER 4: Mathematics, Statistics, and Quantitative Reasoning
Calculus I with Analytic Geometry 1
Broad Knowledge Requirements (LOPERs 5-8)11
Take any one course in LOPER 5, LOPER 6, or LOPER 7 that satisfies a Dispositional Requirement (LOPER 9 or LOPER 10) and a Broad Knowledge Requirement. The courses that meet these criteria are listed at https://catalog.unk.edu/undergraduate/general-studies/courses-satisfy-broad-knowledge-dispositional/. See advisor for assistance.
LOPER 8: Natural Science
General Physics I (Calculus)
General Physics I (Calculus) Laboratory
Dispositional Requirements (LOPERS 9-10) 26
Wellness (LOPER 11) Optional0
BS Science-related course requirements8
Calculus II with Analytic Geometry
Differential Equations
Program Specified Requirements5
General Physics II (Calculus)
General Physics II (Calculus) Laboratory
Major Option
Complete all required courses34-36
Minor or 2nd Major
Complete all required courses 324
Unrestricted Electives
Needed to reach 120 credit hour minimum16-18
Total Credit Hours120

Major Option

Physics Core Requirements
PHYS 123Freshman Physics Seminar3
PHYS 346Modern Physics I4
Physics Math Requirement
MATH 260Calculus III5
Physics Chemistry Requirement
CHEM 160General Chemistry3
CHEM 160LGeneral Chemistry Laboratory1
Physics Emphasis Requirements
Select one of the following:18-20
General Physics Emphasis
Astronomy Emphasis
Physical Science Emphasis
Health Science Emphasis
Total Credit Hours34-36

General Physics Emphasis

General Physics Emphasis Requirements
Physics Skill Courses
PHYS 360Computational Methods in Physics and Astronomy3
PHYS 410Mathematical Techniques in Physics I3
PHYS 420Advanced Physics Laboratory3
Physics Electives
Select 11 credit hours from the following:11
Analytic Mechanics
Electricity & Magnetism
Quantum Mechanics
Optics
Solid State Physics
Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics
Research in Physics
Total Credit Hours20

Astronomy Emphasis

Astronomy Emphasis Requirements
Required Physics and Astronomy Courses
PHYS 210Astronomy3
PHYS 350Astrophysics I3
PHYS 351Astrophysics II3
PHYS 360Computational Methods in Physics and Astronomy3
PHYS 361Astronomy Methods II3
PHYS 410Mathematical Techniques in Physics I3
Total Credit Hours18

Physical Science Emphasis

Physical Science Emphasis Requirements
Chemistry Requirement
CHEM 161General Chemistry3
CHEM 161LGeneral Chemistry Laboratory1
Physical Science Electives
Select 15 credit hours of the following: 415
CHEM 200-CHEM 499L
PHYS 200-PHYS 499
Total Credit Hours19

Health Science Emphasis

Health Science Emphasis Requirements
Required Physics Courses
PHYS 370Introduction to Biophysics3
PHYS 372Physics of the Body I3
PHYS 430Optics3
Electives in Health Science Disciplines
Select 11 credit hours from the following:11
Biology II
Human Microbiology
Anatomy and Physiology
Anatomy and Physiology
Genetics
General Chemistry
General Chemistry Laboratory
Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry
Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry Lab
Biochemistry I
Biochemistry Lab
Biochemistry II
Advanced Biochemistry Lab
Organic Chemistry
Organic Chemistry Laboratory
Organic Chemistry
Organic Chemistry Laboratory
Total Credit Hours20
1

Students without sufficient preparation will also need to take the following courses, increasing the total credit hours needed:

  • MATH 102
  • MATH 103
2

Designated courses with the appropriate content approved to satisfy one of the Broad Knowledge requirements plus LOPER 9 or a Broad Knowledge requirement plus LOPER 10.  Some courses approved satisfy LOPER 9 or LOPER 10 alone.  Choosing a course that satisfies the Broad Knowledge requirement AND LOPER 9 or the Broad Knowledge Requirement AND LOPER 10 will reduce the total General Education hours.

3

A minor or second major is required for a complete degree program. The number of required electives needed to reach 120 total credit hours overall will depend upon the specific program chosen

4

Electives must include one advanced course (300-400 level) in BOTH Chemistry AND Physics.


This document represents a sample 4-year plan for degree completion with this major. Actual course selection and sequence may vary and should be discussed individually with your academic advisor. Advisors can also help you plan other experiences to enrich your undergraduate education such as internships, education abroad, undergraduate research, learning communities, and service learning and community-based learning.

Semester 1
LOPER 1: First-year Seminar3
PHYS 123Freshman Physics Seminar3
MATH 115Calculus I with Analytic Geometry5
LOPER 2: Writing Skills3
Total Credit Hours14
Semester 2
PHYS 275
275L
General Physics I (Calculus)
and General Physics I (Calculus) Laboratory
5
MATH 202Calculus II with Analytic Geometry5
PHYS 210Astronomy3
LOPER 3: Oral Communication Skills3
Total Credit Hours16
Semester 3
PHYS 276
276L
General Physics II (Calculus)
and General Physics II (Calculus) Laboratory
5
CHEM 160
160L
General Chemistry
and General Chemistry Laboratory
4
MATH 260Calculus III5
Total Credit Hours14
Semester 4
PHYS 346Modern Physics I4
PHYS 410Mathematical Techniques in Physics I3
MATH 305Differential Equations3
CHEM 161
161L
General Chemistry
and General Chemistry Laboratory
4
Total Credit Hours14
Semester 5
PHYS 360Computational Methods in Physics and Astronomy3
PHYS 407Electricity & Magnetism4
PHYS 430Optics3
LOPER 7: Social Science3
LOPER 9: Civic Competency and Engagement3
Total Credit Hours16
Semester 6
PHYS 361Astronomy Methods II3
PHYS 419Quantum Mechanics4
LOPER 10: Respect for Human Diversity3
LOPER 5: Visual or Performing Arts3
Unrestricted Elective3
Total Credit Hours16
Semester 7
PHYS 350Astrophysics I3
PHYS 402Analytic Mechanics4
PHYS 440Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics3
PHYS 495Research in Physics3
LOPER 6: Humanities3
Total Credit Hours16
Semester 8
PHYS 351Astrophysics II3
PHYS 498Senior Seminar in Physics3
Unrestricted Elective3
Unrestricted Elective3
Unrestricted Elective2
Total Credit Hours14
Semester 1
LOPR 126First Year Seminar3
PHYS 123Freshman Physics Seminar3
or ENGR 101 Introduction to Engineering
MATH 115Calculus I with Analytic Geometry5
LOPER3
Total Credit Hours14
Semester 2
PHYS 275
275L
General Physics I (Calculus)
and General Physics I (Calculus) Laboratory
5
MATH 202Calculus II with Analytic Geometry5
LOPER3
LOPER3
Total Credit Hours16
Semester 3
PHYS 276
276L
General Physics II (Calculus)
and General Physics II (Calculus) Laboratory
5
MATH 260Calculus III5
CHEM 160
160L
General Chemistry
and General Chemistry Laboratory
4
Total Credit Hours14
Semester 4
PHYS 346Modern Physics I4
PHYS 410Mathematical Techniques in Physics I3
MATH 305Differential Equations3
CHEM 161
161L
General Chemistry
and General Chemistry Laboratory
4
LOPER3
Total Credit Hours17
Semester 5
PHYS 360Computational Methods in Physics and Astronomy3
PHYS Elective3
CHEM Elective3
LOPER3
LOPER3
Total Credit Hours15
Semester 6
PHYS 420Advanced Physics Laboratory3
LOPER3
Physical Science Elective3
Elective3
Elective3
Total Credit Hours15
Semester 7
Physical Science Elective3
Elective3
Elective3
Elective3
Elective3
Total Credit Hours15
Semester 8
Physical Science Elective3
Elective3
Elective3
Elective3
Elective2
Total Credit Hours14
Semester 1
LOPR 126First Year Seminar3
PHYS 123Freshman Physics Seminar3
or ENGR 101 Introduction to Engineering
MATH 115Calculus I with Analytic Geometry5
LOPER3
Total Credit Hours14
Semester 2
PHYS 275
275L
General Physics I (Calculus)
and General Physics I (Calculus) Laboratory
5
MATH 202Calculus II with Analytic Geometry5
Emphasis Elective3
LOPER3
Total Credit Hours16
Semester 3
PHYS 276
276L
General Physics II (Calculus)
and General Physics II (Calculus) Laboratory
5
MATH 260Calculus III5
CHEM 160
160L
General Chemistry
and General Chemistry Laboratory
4
Total Credit Hours14
Semester 4
PHYS 346Modern Physics I4
PHYS 410Mathematical Techniques in Physics I3
MATH 305Differential Equations3
Emphasis Elective3
LOPER3
Total Credit Hours16
Semester 5
PHYS 370Introduction to Biophysics3
Emphasis Elective3
Elective3
LOPER3
LOPER3
Total Credit Hours15
Semester 6
PHYS 372Physics of the Body I3
LOPER3
Elective3
Elective3
Elective3
Total Credit Hours15
Semester 7
PHYS 430Optics3
Elective3
Elective3
Elective3
Elective3
Total Credit Hours15
Semester 8
Emphasis Elective3
Elective3
Elective3
Elective3
Elective3
Total Credit Hours15