About the Department

The Department of Physics and Engineering Physics offers programs leading to the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) and Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degrees in physics, and to the B.S. in Engineering Physics degree. All programs provide a critical core understanding of physics and culminate in a two semester senior thesis. 

The B.A. degree in physics prescribes a thorough undergraduate physics curriculum while retaining flexibility to engage in a breadth of courses in the arts and sciences. Students are expected to show proficiency in a second language and to complete a concentration (at least 12 credit hours) in a field outside of their major. This degree option is particularly well suited as part of an education or pre-medical program.

The B.S. degree in physics provides a strong foundation in physics and mathematics in preparation for a technical or scientific career. Students pursuing the B.S. degree enroll in a more rigorous set of technical classes than for the B.A. degree. The B.S. degree requires two advanced special topics courses in Physics. These courses have been incorporated to allow students flexibility in their junior and senior years to focus on specific fields of Physics. The B.S. degree in Physics provides a broad based technical major and is very adaptable for students in pre-professional programs (medical, law, etc.) and for education majors.

Students from all colleges may minor in physics. Such a minor consists of Phys 2053 and 2063 with their associated laboratories, Phys 2073, and at least six hours of physics at the 4000 level.

Both B.S. degrees can be part of a combined B.S./M.S. degree program. These are five year programs that, upon successful completion, results in the awarding of B.S. and M.S. degrees in either Physics or Engineering Physics. Undergraduate students interested in this program must have completed at least 60 credit hours with a 3.4 GPA to apply. A typical schedule for a student in the 4+1 program can be obtained here.