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Physics Major B.A.

Undergraduate summer intern Ben Hirt worked in Dr. Arthur Smith’s lab where he learned how to use solid works for designing different magnetic holders for the 3D printer.
Undergraduate summer intern Ben Hirt worked in Dr. Arthur Smith’s lab where he learned how to use solid works for designing different magnetic holders for the 3D printer.
  • Preparation for careers as diverse as law, education, medicine, science writing, business and politics
  • Double major in physics and chemistry, biological sciences, geological science
  • Preparation for graduate study or employment in an interdisciplinary area that involves the natural sciences

Admissions Information

Degree Requirements

Sample Curriculum [PDF]

Program Overview

The B.A. degree is recommended for students who want a general education with an emphasis on physics and/or astronomy; are preparing to take a professional degree program in law or medicine; have plans for future education or employment in an interdisciplinary area that involves the natural sciences; desire a double major in physics and chemistry, biological sciences, geological sciences, etc.

Students can meet the requirements for teaching high school physics by completing the Physical Science major program described in the Patton College of Education.

Careers and Graduate School

The B.A. degree in physics is the gateway to many careers. An emphasis on physics together with the classical liberal education provided in the College of Arts & Sciences for all its B.A. degrees will prepare students for careers as diverse as the law, education, medicine, science writing, business, and politics.

Admissions Information

Freshman/First-Year Admission: No requirements beyond University admission requirements. However, it is recommended that students entering the program have at least a Math Placement Level II, or an ACT Math score of 24, or a SAT Math score of 560.

Change of Program Policy: No selective or limited admission requirements. However, it is recommended that students changing into the program have at least a Math Placement Level II, or an ACT Math score of 24, or a SAT Math score of 560.

External Transfer Admission: No requirements beyond University admission requirements. However, it is recommended that students transferring into the program have at least a Math Placement Level II, or an ACT Math score of 24, or a SAT Math score of 560.

Degree Requirements

Major Code: BA3331

University-Wide Graduation Requirements

To complete this program, students must meet all University-wide graduation requirements.

College-Level Requirements for the College of Arts & Sciences

View the College-Level Requirements for the College of Arts & Sciences.

Bachelor of Arts Physics Course Requirements

Complete a total of 24 credit hours of PHYS and/or ASTR coursework, including:

Physics Seminar

Complete the following course:

  • PHYS 1901 - Physics Seminar Credit Hours: 1.0

General Physics I

Complete one of the following courses:

  • PHYS 2051 - General Physics Credit Hours: 5.0
  • PHYS 2051H - General Physics for Physics and Astronomy Majors Credit Hours: 5.0

General Physics II

Complete one of the following courses:

  • PHYS 2052 - General Physics Credit Hours: 5.0
  • PHYS 2052H - General Physics for Physics and Astronomy Majors Credit Hours: 5.0

Other Physics Course

Complete the following course:

  • PHYS 2053 - Contemporary Physics: Relativity and Quantum Phenomena Credit Hours: 3.0

Extra-departmental Requirements

Complete the following course:

  • MATH 2301 - Calculus I Credit Hours: 4.0