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The major concentration in physics leading to a Bachelor of Science degree consists of 19-21 upper-division hours of physics and a minimum of 12 hours of upper division courses in mathematics. The Physics program offers two tracks designed to emphasize study in either traditional physics or medical physics. The traditional physics track is recommended for those students considering graduate studies in research or applied physics. The medical physics track is recommended for those students intending to pursue graduate studies in medicine or a medical physics program.

Lower-division prerequisites for both tracks are PH 2800, PH 2810, PH 2900, PH 2910, MT 1800, MT 1810, MT 2800. A grade of C or better is required in each upper-division course counted toward fulfillment of the major requirements. (A grade of C- will not satisfy those requirements.)

Traditional Physics Track Requirements
PH 4215 Advanced Laboratory 2
PH 4300 Electricity and Magnetism 3
PH 4400 Physical Optics 3
PH 4410 Physical Optics Lab 1
PH 4500 Modern Physics 3
PH 4600 Classical Mechanics I 3
PH 4610 Classical Mechanics I Laboratory 1
PH 3200 or PH 3240 - Physics of the Body I or Physics & Math of Healthcare Instrumentation 3
MT 3530 Numerical Methods 3
MT 3700 Differential Equations 3
MT 3710 Applied Analysis 3
MT 3810 Linear Algebra 3
Total Hours 31

Medical Physics Track Requirements
PH 4215 Advanced Laboratory 2
PH 4300 Electricity and Magnetism 3
PH 4400 Physical Optics 3
PH 4410 Physical Optics Laboratory 1
PH 4500 Modern Physics 3
PH 3200 Physics of the Body I 3
PH 3210 Physics of the Body II 3
PH 3240 Physics &Math of Healthcare Instrumentation 3
MT 3260 Mathematical Modeling in Medicine 3
MT 3700 Differential Equations 3
MT 3710 Applied Analysis 3
MT 3810 Linear Algebra 3
Total Hours 33

Physics majors are strongly encouraged to complete a double major in mathematics. This can be accomplished with minimal additional requirements. The physics curriculum includes from six to ten elective courses, which give the student great flexibility in pursuing diverse interests. Traditional track physics majors interested in pursuing research or applied physics are encouraged to complete CH 2610 and CH 2630, whereas medical track physics majors are encouraged to take BL 3400/3400 or BL 3700/3701. A strength of the physics major lies in the emphasis on mathematics, which allows the student to choose either immediate employment after graduation in a large number of technological fields or graduate study in physics, mathematics, medicine, or the various branches of engineering.

Advantages to students of the Medical Physics program are:

Deeper understanding of physics principles and their applicability to a medical or health care career.
Stronger post-graduate application to competitive medical, research and health care programs.
Undergraduate research opportunities – potential for capstone area or future graduate work.
Value to students of interdisciplinary study, allowing them to tie together coursework in science/math with professional goals.

To complete the Medical Physics Major Track

Prerequisites (complete in first two years):  
One year of General Physics, Calculus I and II

Upper Division Courses: 

• Complete all four Physics of Medicine courses:  PH 3200, PH3210, PH 3240 and MT 3260
• Complete upper division courses in physics and math required for the medical physics major track (Optics, Modern Physics, Electricity and Magnetism, Advanced Laboratory, Calculus III, Differential Equations, Applied Analysis and Linear Algebra)