Academic Catalog

Physics | Bachelor of Arts: Physics

Program Summary

General Education 34
Bachelor of Arts Language Requirement10
Major Courses16
Major Electives12
Laboratory Electives1
Projects1
Cognates20
Open Electives 126
Total Hours120
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 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.  

General Education34-35

 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.  

Bachelor of Arts Language Requirement10

Major

Introduction to Physics
PHYS 100Introduction to Physics and Engineering3
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 313Modern Physics3
Projects
PHYS 603Projects I1
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
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 Hours56

Degree Requirements

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
Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallHours
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
 Hours15
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
 Hours16
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
 Hours14
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
 Hours14
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
 Hours15
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
 Hours15
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
 Hours16
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
 Hours15
 Total Hours120

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.