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Undergraduate Catalog 2023-2024
Physics, B.S.
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 Return to: Degrees & Programs
University General Education Requirements
Department Chairperson: Kristy Mardis
The Department of Chemistry, Physics, and Engineering Studies offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics. The general goal of the physics program is to prepare students for scientific careers in industry, government, and education, as well as for advanced study in physics or other disciplines, such as engineering, architecture, medicine, material science, or medicine and health. The physics program aids students in developing
- a broad foundation in the theory, principles, and history of physics.
- skills in analytical reasoning and problem solving.
- necessary laboratory, safety, and literature skills.
- effective oral and written communication skills, including notebook keeping, graphing, writing laboratory reports, using computers for data analysis, and conducting research presentations.
- an understanding of the impact of physics on industry, society, the environment, and an appreciation of the role and responsibilities of physicists in today’s world.
The Bachelor of Science degree in Physics consists of four options:
- Physics Option (PHYS): prepares students for research, industrial, and governmental careers or for graduate study in physics or related fields.
- Biomedical Physics Option (PHYB): prepares students for careers and graduate programs in medical physics, motion science or to gain admission to medical, dental, or pharmacy schools.
- Engineering Physics (PHYE): prepares students for Engineering careers or Engineering graduate programs.
- Secondary Teaching Option in Physics (PHYT) qualifies students for an Illinois Professional Educator Licensure (PEL) with an endorsement in Science-Physics for grades 9-12. Licensure requires the successful completion of the ACT or SAT (see College of Education Handbook), Physics Content Area Test and edTPA. The Secondary Teaching Program is accredited by the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) and meets Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) standards in science education.
Assessment is an integral part of the physics program. It is expected that students take all examinations and complete all surveys that are administered as part of the assessment schedule for the program. Copies of our assessment schedule, as well as past reports, are available by contacting the department chair. A summary of assessment results is available on the department website.
The department offers minor sequences in chemistry, physics, and physical science for students majoring in other disciplines.
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General Requirements (120 credit hrs)
General Education and CAS Requirements (39 credit hrs)
Refer to the university general education requirements. The College of Arts and Sciences has the additional requirement of one semester of a foreign language and a diversity requirement that can be satisfied with an embedded general education course.
- General Education requirements for Mathematics (3 hr) and Natural Sciences (6 hr) are embedded in the major (see below*).
- Required oral communication (3 hr): CMAT 2030
Physics Core Courses (41 credit hrs):
- 38 hrs in Physics Core (see below)
- 3 hrs Physics capstone course (satisfies the senior thesis/capstone requirement)
Physics Required Courses in MATH and CS (19 credit hrs)
- Courses in Math and Computer Science (see below)
Physics Required Courses (14 credit hrs)
- Courses in Biology, Chemistry, and Physical Science (see below)
Electives Courses (3 hrs)
- Choose any other courses in consultation with the physics academic advisor.
Core Courses in Physics (54 credit hrs)
*PHYS 1010 or CHEM 1010 is required only for entering freshmen and transferring freshmen.
**This course fulfills the senior thesis/capstone requirement.
Physics Required Courses in MATH and CS (19 credit hrs)
Physics Required Courses (14 credit hrs)
Biomedical Physics Option
General Requirements (120 credit hrs)
Admission to the program is contingent upon good academic standing and acceptance by the department. A grade of C or above is required in transfer credit in all chemistry, mathematics and physics courses. A maximum of one physics course with a D grade earned at Chicago State University will be accepted.
General Education and CAS Requirements (39 credit hrs)
Refer to the General Education . The College of Arts and Sciences has the additional requirement of one semester of a foreign language and a diversity requirement that can be satisfied with an embedded general education course.
- General Education requirements for Mathematics (3 hr) and Natural Sciences (6 hr) are embedded in the major (see below*).
- Required oral communication (3 hr): CMAT 2030
Suggested General Education Courses include: Introductory ECON course, PSYC 1100 , and PSYC 2080 .
Required Core Courses in Physics (34 credit hrs):
- 31 hrs in Physics Core (see below)
- 3 hr Physics capstone course (satisfies the senior thesis/capstone requirement)
Required Supportive Courses (51 credit hrs)
- Courses in Mathematics and Computer Science (see below)
- Courses in Chemistry and the Biological Sciences (see below)
Electives Courses (5 hrs)
- Choose any other courses in consultation with the physics academic advisor.
Required Core Courses in Physics (34 credit hrs)
*This course fulfills the senior thesis/capstone requirement.
**This course fulfills the senior thesis/capstone requirement for PHYB students.
Required Supportive Courses in Mathematics and Computer Science (19 credit hrs)
Required Courses in Chemistry and the Biological Sciences (32 credit hours)
Engineering Physics Option
General Requirements (120 credit hrs)
The Engineering Physics option prepares students for careers where multiple engineering disciplines merge. In addition, it facilitates graduate school in engineering or physics. ENGR 1100 fulfills the freshman seminar requirement.
University General Education Requirements
General Education and CAS Requirements (39 credit hrs)
Refer to the General Education . The College of Arts and Sciences has the additional requirement of one semester of a foreign language (3 credit hours) and a diversity requirement that can be satisfied with an embedded general education course.
- General Education requirements for Mathematics (3 hr) and Natural Sciences (6 hr) are embedded in the major (see below*).
- Required oral communication (3 hr): CMAT 2030
Core requirements
- English composition (6 hr)
- Oral communication (3 hr)
- Mathematics (3 hr)
General requirements
- Humanities/Fine Arts (9 hr); at least 3 hr Humanities and 3 hr Fine Arts
- Social Sciences (9 hr); in at least two different disciplines
- Natural Sciences (6 hr); 3 hr Physical Science and 3 hr Life Sciences, one of which must be a lab course
Note that the General Education requirements for Mathematics (3 hr) and Natural Sciences (6 hr) are embedded in the supportive courses for the Major (see below*).
College of Arts and Sciences Requirement (3 credit hours)
- One course in a Foreign Language (3 hr)
- One general education or major course carrying the diversity designation (embedded)
Required Core Courses in Physics (39 credit hrs):
- 36 hrs in Physics Core (see below)
- 3 hr Physics capstone course (satisfies the senior thesis/capstone requirement)
Required Supportive Courses (44 credit hrs)
- Courses in Mathematics and Computer Science (see below)
- Courses in Chemistry and the Biological Sciences (see below)
- Courses in Engineering (see below)
Electives Courses (5hrs)
- Courses to be selected in consultation with the physics academic advisor (see below)
Required Specific Requirements
Required Core Courses in Physics (41 credit hrs)
Required Supportive Courses in Mathematics and Computer Science (19 credit hrs)
Required Supportive Courses in Chemistry (8 credit hrs)
Required Supportive Courses in Engineering (17 credit hrs)
Required Course in Communications (3 credit hours)
Electives to complete 120 Hours (5 hrs)
Choose any other courses in consultation with the physics academic advisor.
Secondary Teaching Option
General Requirements (120-121 credit hrs)
Students must:
- Complete 120 - 121 credit hours consisting of 39 credit hours of general education (consisting of 27 hours not embedded in the major and 3 credits of Foreign Language), 62-63 credit hours in area of specialization, and 28 credit hours in professional education.
- Prior to recommendation for licensure, pass an oral interview including, but not limited to, a “practice lesson”; prepare a teaching portfolio; and present proof that all admission requirements have been fulfilled as determined by the College of Education and the Department of Chemistry and Physics.
General Education (39 credit hrs)
Refer to the General Education . The College of Arts and Sciences has the additional requirement of one semester of a foreign language and a diversity requirement that can be satisfied with an embedded general education course. General Education requirements for Mathematics (3 hr) and Natural Sciences (6 hr) are embedded in the major (see below*).
The following oral communication and social science courses are required for licensure:
Required Physics Core Courses (26-27 credit hrs)
- 26 hrs in Physics Core (see below)
- 1 hr Physics course (required only for entering freshmen and transferring freshmen)
Required Supportive Courses (36-39 credit hrs)
- Courses in Biology (see below)
- Courses in Chemistry (see below)
- Courses in Physical Science (see below)
- Courses in Mathematics (see below)
Professional Education (28 hrs)
- Courses in Education (see below)
- Courses in Psychology (see below)
- Courses in Physics (see below)
Required Physics Core Courses (26-27 credit hrs)
Required Supportive Courses (36 credit hrs)
Professional Education (28 hrs)
These courses must be passed with at least a grade of C.
*Restricted to students admitted to the College of Education.
Honors in Physics Program
- Students can apply to the Honors in Physics Program if they have a GPA of 3.25 or higher in physics courses, and an overall GPA of 3.00 or higher, have completed 60 credit hours, and have completed three semesters of general physics.
- Students in the honors program must maintain a GPA of 3.25 or higher in physics courses and an overall GPA of 3.00 or higher to remain in the honors program and to be awarded departmental honors at graduation. Should a student’s GPA fall below these levels, the honors student will be given one semester to bring the GPA up to the required levels.
- Students entering the honors program will be advised by the Departmental Honors Committee until an Honors Thesis Committee is established for a particular student. The students’ thesis committee will be composed of the primary mentor (chosen by the student) and two additional science faculty (chosen by the student in consultation with the primary mentor). One of the committee members could be from an area other than Physics.
Honors Program Requirements
Honors students will register for 6-9 credit hours in courses designated as Honors.
The honors courses have a unique number designation and are cross-listed with non-honors courses. Students in the honors section of the courses are required to read a scientific paper on a topic pertinent to the course. The paper should be published in a peer-reviewed journal such as the American Journal of Physics, or similar, as chosen by the instructor. The student is required to provide a detailed analysis of the publication in the form of a final paper. Details of the paper project will be left to the course instructor.
Physics Honors Courses
Students may choose any two of the above honors courses, depending on student interest. Students are permitted to take all three courses if desired. Students must earn a B or higher in all honors courses in order to graduate with the honors designation.
Honors students will propose and be engaged in at least one outreach activity.
Honors students will write a brief outreach proposal that must be approved by the student’s Honors Committee. Once approved, the student should initiate the outreach activity and is encouraged to involve other members of the department (students, staff, and faculty). These activities might include inviting students to CSU for a science activity, visiting a local school to perform an activity, holding a session about careers in science, tutoring several hours a week for a semester, mentoring younger students in research, etc.
Honors Students will write an Honors Thesis.
Each honors student is required to register for 6 credits in PHYS 4905 (Honors Thesis). With the approval of his/her thesis committee, a student would typically register for 3 credits of PHYS 4905 in a given semester, then register for another 3 credits of PHYS 4905 the following semester. In the first semester the student would concentrate on research work, and in the second semester the student would complete the research work and prepare a paper or a talk that would be presented to the student’s committee.
The honors thesis is the culminating activity for the student and will be based on an independent research project or an independent study project (library thesis). The Honors Thesis Committee must approve a thesis proposal. In most cases, the thesis work will be based on the work completed during the Honor Thesis course.
An honors student will defend his or her thesis in an open forum before his or her graduation date. The Honors Thesis Committee will decide the date of this defense. The Honors Thesis Committee may add an outside member (on/off campus reader) to aid in thesis review if appropriate.
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