Program Overview
College of Natural and Health Sciences
Contact: Cynthia S. Galovich, Ph.D., Department Chair
Location: Ross Hall 0232
Telephone: 970.351.2961
Website: www.unco.edu/nhs/physics-astronomy
Advising Information:
Students must consult with their assigned major advisor each semester prior to registering.
To find your advisor, log into ursa.unco.edu; go to 'Student' tab and click 'View Student Information' link. If no advisor is listed, contact the major program for advisor information.
The program consists of three parts:
- Liberal Arts Curriculum (LAC) Credits
- Required Major Credits
- University-Wide Credits
Program Description:
This major focuses on the main laws and principles of physics through a basic core of physics and support courses. Students can select from a variety of elective courses at the junior/senior level to tailor the program toward their future goals.
Graduates have a solid foundation in physics for pursuing their individual career goals, including employment in industry and research laboratories and graduate studies in physics, engineering, health or the environment.
Program Admission Requirements:
Academic Good Standing
Program Requirements:
- A research project, completed in PHYS 470, is required. HON 451 may be substituted for PHYS 470.
- A 2.0 GPA or better is required in PHYS prefix courses for graduation.
- In accordance with University Policies, coursework earned more than 10 years prior to the date of matriculation to UNC may not be used to satisfy any major or minor requirements. Any exception to this policy is at the discretion of the academic program.
Degree Requirements — 120 Credits
1. Liberal Arts Curriculum — 31 credits
To complete the degree in 120 credits as outlined, the program recommends the below LAC courses that also count toward the 80 required major credits.
Any additional coursework completed outside of the recommended list below may extend the length of the program of study.
Written Communication — 6 credits
SCI 291 (3) is recommended to fulfill the Intermediate Writing Course requirement.
See Written Communication courses
Mathematics — 3 credits
MATH 131 (4) and MATH 132 (4) are recommended to fulfill the Mathematics requirement and will fulfill both LAC and major requirements.
See Mathematics courses
Arts & Humanities, History, Social & Behavioral Sciences, U.S. Multicultural Studies [MS], and International Studies [IS] — 15 credits
To complete the LAC in the minimum number of credits, be sure to choose at least one course with an IS designation and one course with an MS designation.
Select any courses to fulfill this requirement from the currently approved LAC course list.
See Arts & Humanities, History, and Social & Behavioral Sciences courses
Natural & Physical Sciences — 7 credits
CHEM 111 (4), CHEM 111L (1), and PHYS 240 (5) are recommended to fulfill the Natural & Physical Sciences requirement and will fulfill both LAC and major requirements.
See Natural & Physical Sciences courses
See Liberal Arts Curriculum
2. Required Major — 80-84 credits
Take all of the following courses:
Math elective — 3 credits
Elective credits in Mathematics (consent of advisor).
Physics electives — 6 credits
Additional AST or PHYS prefix courses that are numbered 300 or higher.
3. University-Wide Credits — 5-9 credits*
Complete additional credits to achieve the minimum credits needed for this degree at UNC; for this degree, that will typically be 5-9 credits.
*Note: Students who apply the recommended courses to both the liberal arts curriculum and the major requirements will have an increased number of university wide electives to apply to this degree. See your advisor for details.
Four Year Plan
This four year plan is a recommended schedule to complete this bachelor's degree in 4 years. Courses are subject to availability. Students must consult with their major advisor to receive information on any additional graduation requirements and course sequence guidance. Because some of the major courses are offered every other year, two plans are provided; one for the student’s 3rd year commencing in an even year and one for commencing in an odd year.
Year 1 – 30 credits
Fall Semester
| ENG 122 | College CompositionLAW1 | 3 |
| MATH 131 | Calculus ILAX1 | 4 |
| PHYS 240 | General Physics ILAS1LASL | 5 |
| | LAC Arts and HumanitiesLAA1LAA2LAA3LAA4 | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
LAC Arts and Humanities: Choose U.S. Multicultural Studies (MS) or International Studies (IS) course.
Spring Semester
| CS 120 | Introduction to Programming | 3 |
| MATH 132 | Calculus IILAX1 | 4 |
| PHYS 241 | General Physics II | 5 |
| | LAC Intermediate WritingLAW2 | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Year 2 – 30 credits
Fall Semester
| CHEM 111 | Principles of Chemistry ILAS1 | 4 |
| CHEM 111L | Principles of Chemistry I LaboratoryLAS1LASL | 1 |
| MATH 233 | Calculus III | 4 |
| PHYS 320 | Mathematical Methods I | 3 |
| | LAC Social and Behavioral SciencesLAB1LAB2LAB3 | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
LAC Social and Behavioral Sciences: Choose U.S. Multicultural Studies (MS) or International Studies (IS) course.
Spring Semester
| PHYS 321 | Elementary Modern Physics | 3 |
| PHYS 420 | Mathematical Methods II | 3 |
| | Major Elective | 3 |
| | LAC Arts and HumanitiesLAA1LAA2LAA3LAA4 | 3 |
| | LAC HistoryLAH1 | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
For students beginning their 3rd year in odd years
Year 3 – 31 credits
Fall Semester
| PHYS 323 | Elementary Modern Physics Laboratory | 1 |
| PHYS 341 | Electricity and Magnetism I | 3 |
| | Upper Division Major Elective | 3 |
| | LAC Arts and Humanities, History, or Social and Behavioral SciencesLAA1LAA2LAA3LAA4LAB1LAB2LAB3LAH1 | 3 |
| | University-Wide Elective | 2 |
| | University-Wide Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Spring Semester
| PHYS 301 | Seminar in Physics | 1 |
| PHYS 342 | Electricity and Magnetism II | 3 |
| PHYS 355 | Computer Applications in Physics | 3 |
| | Upper Division Major Elective | 3 |
| | University-Wide Elective | 3 |
| | University-Wide Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Year 4 – 29 credits
Fall Semester
| PHYS 340 | Mechanics | 4 |
| PHYS 345 | Quantum Mechanics I | 3 |
| PHYS 370 | Research I | 1- 3 |
| PHYS 440 | Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics | 4 |
| | University-Wide Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
PHYS 370: Take 1 credit
PHYS 370 is a variable credit course that may be taken for up to three credits.
Spring Semester
| PHYS 360 | Laboratory Physics | 2 |
| PHYS 445 | Quantum Mechanics II | 3 |
| PHYS 448 | Nuclear and Particle Physics | 3 |
| PHYS 470 | Research II | 1- 3 |
| | University-Wide Elective | 5 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 14 |
PHYS 470: Take 1 credit
PHYS 470 is a variable credit course that may be taken for up to three credits.
For students beginning their 3rd year in even years
Year 3 – 30 credits
Fall Semester
| PHYS 323 | Elementary Modern Physics Laboratory | 1 |
| PHYS 340 | Mechanics | 4 |
| PHYS 440 | Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics | 4 |
| | LAC Arts and Humanities, History, or Social and Behavioral SciencesLAA1LAA2LAA3LAA4LAB1LAB2LAB3LAH1 | 3 |
| | University-Wide Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Spring Semester
| PHYS 301 | Seminar in Physics | 1 |
| PHYS 360 | Laboratory Physics | 2 |
| PHYS 448 | Nuclear and Particle Physics | 3 |
| | University-Wide Elective | 3 |
| | University-Wide Elective | 3 |
| | University-Wide Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Year 4 – 30 credits
Fall Semester
| PHYS 341 | Electricity and Magnetism I | 3 |
| PHYS 345 | Quantum Mechanics I | 3 |
| PHYS 370 | Research I | 1- 3 |
| | Upper Division Major Elective | 3 |
| | University-Wide Elective | 1 |
| | University-Wide Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 14 |
Spring Semester
| PHYS 342 | Electricity and Magnetism II | 3 |
| PHYS 355 | Computer Applications in Physics | 3 |
| PHYS 445 | Quantum Mechanics II | 3 |
| PHYS 470 | Research II | 1- 3 |
| | Upper Division Major Elective | 3 |
| | University-Wide Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Advising Notes –
- Students who need further preparation in mathematics may need to start in MATH 124 or MATH 127. Please consult your major advisor.