Physics B.S. Requirements
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KU Core requirements not met by major requirements (~24 credits or equivalent experiences) |
Hours |
|
|
Goal 2 |
Written (2 units) and oral communication (1 unit) |
9 |
|
Goal 3A 3B |
Fundamental knowledge in Humanities, Social Sciences |
6 |
|
Goal 4 |
Human Diversity and Cultural Understanding and Global Awareness |
6 |
|
Goal 5 |
Social responsibility and ethical behavior |
3 |
|
Goals 1 & 3C |
Met by foundational courses in chemistry, mathematics and physics |
|
|
Foundational Physics & Mathematics (19.5 credits) |
Hours |
|
|
PHSX 150 |
Seminar in Physics, Astronomy and Engineering Physics |
0.5 |
|
PHSX 211 or 213 |
General Physics I (213 is honors/majors equivalent, 5 credits includes lab) |
4 |
|
PHSX 212 or 214 |
General Physics II (214 is honors/majors equivalent, 4 credits includes lab) |
3 |
|
PHSX 216 |
General Physics I Laboratory |
1 |
|
PHSX 236 |
General Physics II Laboratory |
1 |
|
MATH 125 |
Calculus I |
5 |
|
MATH 126 |
Calculus II |
5 |
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General Science Requirements (8 to 9 credits) |
Hours |
|
|
Chemistry |
CHEM 130 (or 190) Foundations of Chemistry |
5 |
|
Computer Sci. |
EECS 138 (3), Intro. to Computing or EECS 168 (4) Programming I |
3-4 |
|
Advanced Mathematics (11 credits) |
Hours |
|
|
MATH 127 |
Vector Calculus |
3 |
|
MATH 290 |
Elementary Linear Algebra |
2 |
|
MATH 320 |
Elem. Differential Equations. |
3 |
|
Math elective |
ONE Course from the following list PHSX 518, 718, MATH 465, 526, 530, 558, 581, 590, 628, 646, 647, 648, 660, 661, OR any 700-level MATH lecture course except for MATH 701 and 715. |
3 |
|
Advanced Physics required for both options (24 credits) |
Hours |
|
|
PHSX 313 |
General Physics III |
3 |
|
PHSX 316 |
Intermediate Physics Laboratory (with or after PHSX 313) |
1 |
|
PHSX 511 |
Intro. Quantum Mechanics |
3 |
|
PHSX 516 or 536 |
Physical Measurements or Electronic Circuits & Measurements |
4 |
|
PHSX 521 |
Mechanics I |
3 |
|
PHSX 531 |
Electricity & Magnetism |
3 |
|
PHSX 671 |
Thermal Physics |
3 |
|
PHSX elective |
Any physics lecture or laboratory course numbered 500 or higher and not part of other specific requirements for the major. |
3 |
|
PHSX research |
PHSX 503, Undergraduate Research, or 501 (Honors). 1 credit is required for majors; more may be taken. More than 1 credit of research may be required for departmental honors |
1 |
B.S. Physics candidates select one of the following options: pre-professional or interdisciplinary
|
Pre-Professional Option Requirements (13 credits) |
Hours |
|
|
PHSX 621 |
Mechanics II |
3 |
|
PHSX 631 |
Electromagnetic Theory |
3 |
|
PHSX 711 |
Quantum Mechanics |
3 |
|
PHSX 516 or 536 |
Physical Measurements or Electronic Circuits & Measurements; students in this option track take both advanced laboratory courses |
4 |
|
Interdisciplinary Option Requirements (12 to 15 credits) |
Hours |
|
|
PHSX |
TWO of: PHSX 621, PHSX 631, PHSX 711, PHSX 516/536 |
6-7 |
|
Interdisciplinary science electives |
Two semesters coursework in an allied science at 300-level or higher. Students must meet any prerequisites for these courses as part of elective hours. Courses approved to date are: |
6-8 |
|
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CHEM 598, 622 or 646 (CHEM 598 open only to UKanTeach students) |
|
|
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BIOL 350, 400, 408, 412, 416, 600, 636, 638 |
|
|
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GEOL 360,562, 572, 575, 576, 577 |
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Additional Notes:
- Students may satisfy the Integrative Knowledge (Goal 6) KU Core requirement by
- satisfying requirements for more than one major or a major and minor combination
- taking PHSX 601 as the elective
- satisfying requirements for Research Experience Certification
- Specific requirements for the physics B.S. comprise 101.5 to 102.5 credits for the pre-professional option, 100.5 to 104.5 credits for the interdisciplinary option, leaving 14.5 to 19.5 credits usable for elective courses; 120 credits are presently required for bachelor’s degrees.
- Specific requirements for this degree include 42 to 45 credit hours at the junior/senior level if MATH 320 is taken as recommended. A few additional hours of elective coursework at the junior/senior level must be included as electives to meet the separate requirement set by the Regents for 45 credit hours of junior/senior coursework.
- Students who wish to major in both physics and astronomy must meet the requirements of both degrees plus additional requirements: 15 credits must be unique for each degree.
With a few modifications, students earning a bachelor of science in physics may qualify for licensure to teach at the time they graduate by following the UKanTeach curriculum. UKanTeach adds several pedagogic and a few general education requirements but is otherwise indistinguishable from a B.S. in physics, so students may feel equally well prepared for education, further research or study.
All content and education-related courses used to fulfill licensure requirements must be taken on a letter-grade basis.
Other requirements specific to completing the UKanTeach program for a secondary teaching license in physics are:
|
Professional Development Coursework Requirements: A minimum grade of C is required in all courses. |
27 |
|
|
Liberal Arts & Sciences |
LA&S 290 Approaches to Teaching Science and Math I |
1 |
|
|
LA&S 291 Approaches to Teaching Science and Math II |
1 |
|
Curriculum & Teaching |
C&T 360 Knowing and Learning in Science & Mathematics |
3 |
|
|
C&T 366 Classroom Interactions in Science & Mathematics |
3 |
|
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C&T 448 Reading and Writing across the Curriculum |
3 |
|
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C&T 460 Project-Based Instruction |
3 |
|
|
C&T 500 Student Teaching (6 hours) Requires a 2.5 cumulative GPA in major and overall.) |
6 |
|
|
C&T 598 Special Topics Seminar |
1 |
|
Research Methods |
CHEM 598 or Equivalent course /experience approved by UKanTeach in Major Field of Study *** Students pursuing the interdisciplinary option may use this course as one of their interdisciplinary science electives. *** |
3 |
|
History of Science |
History of Science course approved by UKanTeach |
3 |
