Curriculum: Physics

Concentration:

Degree earned: Bachelor of Science in Physics

Effective: 07/2009
Updated:

FRESHMAN YEAR
Fall Semester Credit   Spring Semester Credit

PY 201 University Physics I1,8
CH 101 Chemistry – A Molecular Science8
CH 102 General Chemistry Laboratory8
MA 141 Analytic Geometry & Calculus I8
ENG 101 Academic Writing and Research
PMS 100 or E 115 Orientation

4
3
1
4
4
1

17

  

PY 202 University Physics II1,8
MA 241 Analytic Geometry & Calculus II8
Basic Sciences Elective2,8
Introduction to Computing3,8

4
4
3
3

 

14
 
SOPHOMORE YEAR
Fall Semester Credit   Spring Semester Credit

PY 203 University Physics III1,8
MA 242 Calculus III8
GEP Humanities Requirement*
GEP Social Sciences Requirement*
PE 1XX Fitness and Wellness Course*

4
4
3
3
1

15

  

PY 411 Mechanics I8
MA 341 Applied Differential Equations8
ST 380 Prob & Stat for the Physical Sci.4,8
GEP Humanities Requirement*
Free Elective

3
3
3
3
3

15
 
JUNIOR YEAR
Fall Semester Credit   Spring Semester Credit

PY 412 Mechanics II8
PY 414 Electrodynamics I8
MA 401 Applied Differential Equations II8
Computing/Numerical Methods5,8
GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives Requirement*

3
3
3
3
3

15

  

PY 413 Thermal Physics8
PY 415 Electrodynamics II8
MA 405 Linear Algebra8
Advanced Writing/Speaking6
GEP Social Sciences Requirement*

3
3
3
3
3

15
 
SENIOR YEAR
Fall Semester Credit   Spring Semester Credit

PY 401 Quantum Physics I8
PY 452 Advanced Physics Lab8
GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives Requirement*
Technical Elective7,8
Free Elective
Physical Education/Healthy Living Elective*

3
3
2-3
3
3
1

15-16

  

PY 402 Quantum Physics II8
Technical Elective7,8
Technical Elective7,8
GEP Additional Breadth Requirement*
Free Elective

3
3
3
3
3

15
 
Minimum Credit Hours Required for Graduation*: 121
 
Footnotes:        
 

Major/Program Footnotes:
1 Students may substitute PY 205 for PY 201, PY 208 for PY 202, and PY 407 for PY 203. However, they must take the lab section of PY 203 if they elect to take PY 407.
2 Basic Science elective - Select one: BIO 181, BIO 183, CH 201 and 202, CH 220, CH 221 and 222, MEA 200, MEA 213 and 214, MSE 200, MSE 201, or MSE 203.
3 Introduction to programming course must be selected from MA 116, CSC 112, CSC 114, or CSC 116
4 ST 370 is an acceptable substitute for ST 380.
5 Computing/Numerical Methods elective – Select one: MA 427, MA 428, MA 402, CSC 302, PY 525.
6 Advanced Writing course must be selected from ENG 331, ENG 332, or ENG 333.
7 Technical electives are courses at the 300 level or above in physical, mathematical, and biological sciences, and in engineering.
8 At most one grade below a C- is permitted in each of the four categories: Physics, Mathematics/Statistic/Computing, Chemistry/Basic Science, and Technical Electives.

* General Education Program (GEP) requirements and GEP Footnotes:
To complete the requirements for graduation and the General Education Program, the following category credit hours and co-requisites must be satisfied. University approved GEP course lists for each of the following categories can be found at http://www.ncsu.edu/uap/academic-standards/gep/courselists/index.html .

Mathematical Sciences (6 credit hours – one course with MA or ST prefix)
Choose from the University approved GEP Mathematical Sciences course list or the following course(s) if completed as part of the Major requirements may fulfill part or all of this requirement: MA 141, MA 241
Natural Sciences (7 credit hours – include one laboratory course or course with a lab)
Choose from the University approved GEP Natural Sciences course list or the following course(s) if completed as part of the Major requirements may fulfill part or all of this requirement: PY 201, CH 101
Humanities (6 credit hours selected from two different disciplines/course prefixes)
Choose from the University approved GEP Humanities course list or the following course(s) if completed as part of the Major requirements may fulfill part or all of this requirement: None
Social Sciences (6 credit hours selected from two different disciplines/course prefixes)
Choose from the University approved GEP Social Sciences course list or the following course(s) if completed as part of the Major requirements may fulfill part or all of this requirement: None
Physical Education/Healthy Living (2 credit hours – at least one 100-level Fitness and Wellness Course)
Choose from the University approved GEP Physical Education/Healthy Living course list.
Additional Breadth - (3 credit hours to be selected from the following checked University approved GEP course lists)
X Humanities/Social Sciences/Visual and Performing Arts
Interdisciplinary Perspectives (5-6 credit hours)
Choose from the University approved GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives course list or the following course(s) if completed as part of the Major requirements may fulfill part or all of this requirement: None
Introduction to Writing (4 credit hours satisfied by completing ENG 101 with a C- or better )

The following Co-Requisites must be satisfied to complete the General Education Program requirements:
U.S. Diversity (USD)
Choose from the University approved GEP U.S. Diversity course list or choose a course identified on the approved GEP course lists as meeting the U.S. Diversity (USD) co-requisite . The following course(s) completed as part of the Major requirements may fulfill this requirement: None
Global Knowledge (GK)
Choose from the University approved GEP Global Knowledge course list or choose a course identified on the approved GEP course lists as meeting the Global Knowledge (GK) co-requisite . The following course(s) completed as part of the Major requirements may fulfill this requirement: None
Foreign Language proficiency - Proficiency at the FL_102 level is required for graduation.