The Bachelor's Program in Physics
The Arts and Sciences Physics Major
[Looking for Engineering Physics? Here you go.]
The undergraduate physics major provides a thorough introduction to all core areas of physics. At the same time it allows students with special interests to pursue different concentrations.
The academic concentration is intended for students interested in professional employment or graduate work in physics or closely related fields such as engineering, laser technology, or computational science.
|
Sonali Shukla received her Bachelor of Science in Physics (academic concentration) in 2003. Since then she has been pursuing her Ph.D in physics at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. Sonali researches the formation of young stars, in particular, X-ray and infrared signatures of disks around these types of stars. She uses data from the Chandra X-ray Observatory and the Spitzer Space Telescope. She spent a year as a predoctoral fellow at the Spitzer Science Center at the California Institute of Techonology studying disks around brown dwarfs. |
 |
The applied concentration introduces students to the physics and technology of today and tomorrow. Such a broad physics background is increasingly useful in technological and industrial fields outside of physics.
|
Trey Forgety graduated in 2004 with a B.S. in applied physics before enrolling as a J.D. candidate at the University of Tennessee
College of Law. As a law student, he was named an editor of the Tennessee
Law Review, and captain of the Phillip C. Jessup International Law Moot
Court team. As a physics graduate, Trey is eligible for admission to
practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office, a credential
that offers a nearly 50% starting salary advantage over other law graduates.
When asked about his future plans, Trey states: |
 |
The astronomy concentration was introduced in the fall of 2007 and is designed for students who may wish to do graduate work in astronomy or astrophysics.
The general concentration is intended for students who wish to apply a substantial knowledge of physics to fields such as secondary education, medicine, law, journalism, business, or any other field of their choice.
|
Stacey Kaufman chose the general concentration in physics, graduating with a bachelor's degree in 2005. She teaches AP and Honors Physics at The Franklin Academy (Charter High School) in Wake Forest, North Carolina. She writes: |
 |
Students in all concentrations are encouraged to pursue special interests through additional courses, research projects and/or independent study under the direction of members of the physics faculty.
General Degree Requirements
College Requirements
To earn a bachelor's degree with a major in physics, students must meet all requirements set forth by the College of Arts and Sciences. These include:
- Completion of all university requirements for the bachelor's degree (e.g., grade point average, hours in residence, etc.) as explained in the University's Undergraduate Catalog.
- Completion of a minimum of 120 credit hours.
- Completion of at least 42 credit hours in courses numbered 300 or above.
- Appropriate work to satisfy basic skills and distribution requirements (e.g., English, foreign language, social sciences, etc.), counting no course in more than one area. See the Undergraduate Catalog, College of Arts and Sciences section.
- Completion of at least one major.
Freshman Prerequisites
All physics majors following the Arts and Sciences track must take the following courses during their freshmen year:
- Honors Fundamentals of Physics (Physics 137-138) or Introduction to Physics (Physics 135-136)
- Calculus I, II (Math 141-142)
- Calculus III (Math 241)
- Introduction to Computer Science (Computer Science 102)
Requirements for the Academic Physics Concentration
In addition to the general degree requirements, listed above.
- Differential Equations I (Math 231)
- Modern Physics (Physics 250)
- Mechanics (Physics 311-312)
- Thermal Physics (Physics 321)
- Electronics Laboratory (Physics 361)
- Introduction to Quantum Mechanics (Physics 411-412)
- Modern Optics (Physics 421)
- Electricity and Magnetism (Physics 431-432)
- Modern Physics Laboratory (Physics 461)
- A Survey of Physics (Physics 401) is recommended
Requirements for the Applied Physics Concentration
In addition to the general degree requirements, listed above.
- Modern Physics (Physics 250)
- Mechanics (Physics 311-312)
- Thermal Physics (Physics 321)
- Electronics Laboratory (Physics 361)
- A Survey of Physics (Physics 401)
- Modern Optics (Physics 421)
- Contemporary Physics (Physics 441-442)
- Team Research Project (Physics 453-454)
- Modern Physics Laboratory (Physics 461)
Requirements for the Astronomy Concentration
In addition to the general degree requirements, listed above.
- Honors Introductory Astronomy (Astronomy 217-218)
- Astrophysics (Astronomy 411)
- Special Topics in Astronomy, 3 hours (Astronomy 490)
- Modern Physics (Physics 250)
- Mechanics (Physics 311)
- Thermal Physics (Physics 321)
- Introduction to Quantum Mechanics (Physics 411)
- Modern Optics (Physics 421)
- Electricity and Magnetism (Physics 431)
- Modern Physics Laboratory (Physics 461)
Requirements for the General Physics Concentration
In addition to the general degree requirements, listed above.
- Modern Physics (Physics 250)
- Electronics Laboratory (Physics 361)
- Intermediate Physics I, II, and III (Physics 380, 381, 382)
- Contemporary Physics (Physics 441-442)
- Team Research Project (Physics 453-454)
- One Lab Course Chosen from Modern Optics (Physics 421) or Modern Physics Laboratory (Physics 461)