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Applied Physics, BS

2021-2022 Edition

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        • Physics, BS
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        • Biomedical Physics, BS
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        • Physics and Music with Concentration in Music Technology, BS
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The applied physics BS degree is a flexible, interdisciplinary-oriented program designed to provide students with a solid background in basic physics, in conjunction with the opportunity to sample courses from a wide range of disciplines, including engineering, biology, chemistry, math, environmental studies, and computer science. This program seeks to enable students to prepare for a variety of careers in, for example, nanotechnology, a medical field, environmental research, or even finance.

Complete all courses listed below unless otherwise indicated. Also complete any corequisite labs, recitations, clinicals, or tools courses where specified and complete any additional courses needed beyond specific college and major requirements to satisfy graduation credit requirements.

University-Wide Requirements

All undergraduate students are required to complete the University-Wide Requirements.

NUpath Requirements

All undergraduate students are required to complete the NUpath Requirements.

Applied Physics Major Requirements

Course List
Code Title Hours
Introductory Physics
Physics 1
Complete one of the following:5
PHYS 1161
and PHYS 1162
Physics 1
and Lab for PHYS 1161
PHYS 1151
and PHYS 1152
and PHYS 1153
Physics for Engineering 1
and Lab for PHYS 1151
and Interactive Learning Seminar for PHYS 1151
Physics 2
Complete one of the following:5
PHYS 1165
and PHYS 1166
Physics 2
and Lab for PHYS 1165
PHYS 1155
and PHYS 1156
and PHYS 1157
Physics for Engineering 2
and Lab for PHYS 1155
and Interactive Learning Seminar for PHYS 1155
Intermediate Physics
PHYS 2303Modern Physics4
PHYS 2371
and PHYS 2372
Electronics
and Lab for PHYS 2371
4
Advanced Physics
PHYS 3600Advanced Physics Laboratory4
PHYS 3602Electricity and Magnetism 14
PHYS 3603Electricity and Magnetism 24
PHYS 4305Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics4
Advanced Physics Electives
Complete three of the following:12
PHYS 3601
Classical Dynamics
PHYS 4115
Quantum Mechanics
PHYS 5111
Astrophysics and Cosmology
PHYS 5113
Particle Physics
PHYS 5116
Complex Networks and Applications
PHYS 4621
Biological Physics 1
PHYS 4623
Medical Physics
PHYS 4651
Medical Physics Seminar 1
PHYS 4652
Medical Physics Seminar 2
PHYS 5260
Introduction to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology
MATH 4606
Mathematical and Computational Methods for Physics
Experiential Learning
Note: The experiential learning requirement is waived following a student presentation connected with a co-op and/or research experience. The requirement is often fulfilled by a talk at a Society of Physics Students meeting but can be fulfilled by an adequately documented presentation at a professional meeting or at an appropriate campus event. Contact your faculty adviser for additional information.
PHYS 4996Experiential Education Directed Study4
Senior Capstone
PHYS 5318Principles of Experimental Physics4

Supporting Courses

Course List
Code Title Hours
Mathematics
MATH 1341Calculus 1 for Science and Engineering4
MATH 1342Calculus 2 for Science and Engineering4
MATH 2321Calculus 3 for Science and Engineering4
MATH 2331Linear Algebra4
MATH 2341Differential Equations and Linear Algebra for Engineering4
Computational Methods
PHYS 1211Computational Problem Solving in Physics4
or PHYS 1130 Computing, Data, and Science
or GE 1111 Engineering Problem Solving and Computation
Chemistry
CHEM 1211
and CHEM 1212
General Chemistry 1
and Lab for CHEM 1211
5
Technical Electives
Complete 16 semester hours of technical electives from the following:16
MATH 2280
Statistics and Software
MATH 2321 to MATH 5999
PHYS 2303 to PHYS 7999
CHEM 2311 to CHEM 5999
BIOL 2301 to BIOL 5999
ENVR 2300 to ENVR 5999
CS 2990 to CS 4900
CHME 2001 to CHME 4699
CIVE 2001 to CIVE 4699
EECE 2001 to EECE 5999
ME 2001 to ME 4699
IE 2001 to IE 4699

Applied Physics Major Credit Requirement

Complete 91 semester hours in the major.

Program Requirement

133 total semester hours required

Note on Applied Physics Plans of Study

Some required physics courses are offered in both fall and spring semesters, while other required courses are offered less frequently. Therefore, the suggested plan of study will vary from student to student, depending on the year of entry for that student. 

Please contact your academic adviser for additional information and plans of study.

Five Years, Three Co-ops in Spring/Summer 1

Year 1
FallHoursSpringHoursSummer 1HoursSummer 2Hours
PHYS 10001PHYS 11654Vacation0Vacation0
PHYS 11614PHYS 11661  
PHYS 11621PHYS 11670  
PHYS 11630PHYS 12114  
MATH 13414MATH 13424  
ENGW 11114Elective4  
Elective4   
 18 17 0 0
Year 2
FallHoursSpringHoursSummer 1HoursSummer 2Hours
PHYS 23034Co-op0Co-op0MATH 23414
PHYS 23713  PHYS 43054
PHYS 23721   
MATH 23214   
CHEM 12114   
CHEM 12121   
CHEM 12130   
EESC 20001   
 18 0 0 8
Year 3
FallHoursSpringHoursSummer 1HoursSummer 2Hours
PHYS 36024Co-op0Co-op0PHYS 36004
MATH 23314  Elective4
Technical elective4   
Technical elective4   
 16 0 0 8
Year 4
FallHoursSpringHoursSummer 1HoursSummer 2Hours
ENGW 33074Co-op0Co-op0Vacation0
Technical elective4   
Technical elective4   
Elective4   
 16 0 0 0
Year 5
FallHoursSpringHours  
PHYS 36034PHYS 53184  
Elective4PHYS advanced elective4  
Elective4PHYS advanced elective4  
Elective4PHYS advanced elective4  
 16 16  
Total Hours: 133
  • PHYS 2303 offered every fall, spring, and summer 2
  • PHYS 2371/2372 offered every fall
  • PHYS 3600 offered every summer 1 and summer 2
  • PHYS 3601 offered spring and fall (even years)
  • PHYS 3602 offered every fall and spring
  • PHYS 3603 offered fall (even years) and summer 1 (odd years)
  • PHYS 4115 offered every fall and spring
  • PHYS 4305 offered every spring and summer 2 (even years)
  • PHYS 4621 offered spring (odd years) and fall (even years)
  • PHYS 4623 offered summer 1 and fall (even years)
  • PHYS 4651 offered spring and fall (odd years)
  • PHYS 4652 offered every spring
  • PHYS 5318 offered every spring
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