Physics | Bachelor of Arts: Physics
Program Summary
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education | 34 | |
| Bachelor of Arts Language Requirement | 10 | |
| Major Courses | 16 | |
| Major Electives | 12 | |
| Laboratory Electives | 1 | |
| Projects | 1 | |
| Cognates | 20 | |
| Open Electives 1 | 26 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
- 1
Open electives are the credit hours required to reach a minimum of 120 total hours and 45 upper-level hours. The number listed assumes all courses are completed at FHSU as listed. This number may vary if students transfer courses, or have individual substitutions allowed. Students should speak with their advisor if either situation applies to determine if the number will vary, and to ensure they enroll in a minimum of 45 upper-level hours.
Students entering within 1 year of high school graduation will take UNIV 101 Freshman Seminar and may apply that hour in the open elective category.
Program Requirements
General Education
All undergraduate degrees require completion of the Kansas Systemwide General Education.
Courses identified with GE on this page may satisfy a general education requirement in addition to the identified degree requirement. Students who apply a degree requirement to satisfy a general education requirement will typically add an equal number of hours to the university elective category. This flexibility may allow you to complete a minor or certificate within the 120 hour degree. Transfer students and students majoring in programs with approved exceptions are especially encouraged to select these courses in completing General Education requirements to maximize the likelihood of completing the degree with 120 credit hours.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education | 34-35 | |
BA Language Requirement
All FHSU students pursuing a BA degree are required to take two consecutive non-English language classes. Students taking beginning Spanish or French classes may be able to apply the first class to the Arts and Humanities area of the general education requirement.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Arts Language Requirement | 10 | |
Major
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Physics | ||
| PHYS 100 | Introduction to Physics and Engineering | 3 |
| PHYS 211 & 211L | Engineering Physics I and Engineering Physics I Laboratory GE | 5 |
| PHYS 212 & 212L | Engineering Physics II and Engineering Physics II Laboratory GE | 5 |
| PHYS 313 | Modern Physics | 3 |
| Projects | ||
| PHYS 603 | Projects I | 1 |
| or PHYS 675 | Senior Seminar | |
| Physics Electives | ||
| Select four of the following: | 12 | |
| Statics | ||
| Scientific Computing and Productivity | ||
| Electronic Circuits | ||
| Analog and Digital Electronics | ||
| Introduction to Computational Physics | ||
| Special Topics I | ||
| Mathematics for the Physical Sciences | ||
| Mechanics | ||
| Electricity and Magnetism | ||
| Optics | ||
| Thermal Physics | ||
| Quantum Mechanics I | ||
| Laboratory Electives | ||
| Select one course from the following: | 1 | |
| Computational Physics Laboratory | ||
| Advanced Physics Laboratory I | ||
| Advanced Physics Laboratory II | ||
| Cognates | ||
| University Chemistry I and University Chemistry Laboratory I GE | ||
| Analytic Geometry and Calculus I GE | ||
| Analytic Geometry and Calculus II | ||
| Analytic Geometry and Calculus III | ||
| Differential Equations | ||
| Scientific Communication | ||
or GSCI 685 | Writing in the Sciences | |
| Open Electives | ||
| Select 26 credits of free electives. The following are suggested, not required: | 26 | |
| University Chemistry II and University Chemistry Laboratory II GE | ||
| Linear Algebra | ||
| Mathematical Statistics | ||
| Computer Science I | ||
| Total Hours | 56 | |
Degree Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Arts Degree Language Requirement | ||
| Two consecutive semesters of a non-English Language | ||
| All bachelor degrees require: | ||
| GPA of 2.0 on FHSU courses & 2.0 on all coursework (Higher program requirements prevail over the 2.0 when set) | ||
| A minimum of 30 hours earned from FHSU with a grade of D, C, B, or A | ||
| Successful completion of an upper division Writing and Information Literacy course (Most majors contain a course designated) | ||
| A minimum of 45 hours of recognized upper division credit | ||
| A minimum of 120 hours of recognized college credit | ||
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| ENG 101 | English Composition I (SGE010 - English Discipline Area) | 3 |
| COMM 100 | Fundamentals of Oral Communication (SGE020 - Communication Discipline Area) | 3 |
| PHYS 100 | Introduction to Physics and Engineering | 3 |
| UNIV 101 | Freshman Seminar | 1 |
| MATH 234 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus I (SGE030 - Math Statistics Discipline Area) | 5 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| ENG 102 | English Composition II (SGE010 - English Discipline Area) | 3 |
| MATH 235 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus II | 5 |
| PHYS 211 & 211L |
Engineering Physics I and Engineering Physics I Laboratory |
5 |
| SGE070 - Institutionally Designated Area: Personal and Professional Development | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| MATH 236 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus III | 3 |
| PHYS 333 | Introduction to Computational Physics | 3 |
| PHYS 212 & 212L |
Engineering Physics II and Engineering Physics II Laboratory |
5 |
| SGE050 - Social Behavioral Sciences Discipline Area | 3 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| CHEM 120 & 120L |
University Chemistry I and University Chemistry Laboratory I |
5 |
| PHYS 313 | Modern Physics | 3 |
| MATH 354 | Differential Equations | 3 |
| Concentration Course | 3 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| PHYS 332 | Analog and Digital Electronics | 3 |
| PHYS 620 | Mathematics for the Physical Sciences | 3 |
| PHYS 632 | Electricity and Magnetism | 3 |
| Concentration Course | 3 | |
| SGE060 - Arts Humanities Discipline Area | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| PHYS 621 | Mechanics | 3 |
| PHYS 672 | Thermal Physics | 3 |
| PHYS 651 | Advanced Physics Laboratory I | 2 |
| PHYS 603 | Projects I | 1 |
| Concentration Course | 3 | |
| SGE050 - Social Behavioral Sciences Discipline Area | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| PHYS 603 | Projects I | 2 |
| PHYS 105 | Critical Thinking for Scientists (SGE070 - Institutionally Designated Area: Critical Thinking) | 3 |
| PHYS 677 | Quantum Mechanics I | 3 |
| Beginning Language Course 1 (Bachelor of Arts Language Requirement) | 5 | |
| Open Electives | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| PHYS 675 | Senior Seminar | 1 |
| PHYS 652 | Optics | 3 |
| PHYS 603 | Projects I | 3 |
| SGE060 - Arts Humanities Discipline Area | 3 | |
| Beginning Language Course 2 (Bachelor of Arts Language Requirement) | 5 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Academic Degree Maps are term-by-term sample course plans that specify milestones, courses, and special requirements that are necessary for facilitating on-time completion. Degree Maps are examples and are not prescriptive. Individualized choices such as concentration options, transfer credits, optional minors, advisory programs (certificates), etc. can alter the recommended coursework. Course offerings are subject to change. Students should consult with their academic advisors for additional guidance on course planning.
To determine courses to take in the directed choices (often listed as Program Elective Course) and directed elective course blocks see the overview tab for courses. To locate approved courses in General Education areas (Undergraduate Programs) see the general education section of the catalog.
The undergraduate course maps typically advise the most efficient route for students to complete the general education requirements. Courses that are required in the major may be listed as fulfilling relevant general education requirements. This will result in more open elective course hours in some maps than is listed on the degree overview page.