Aug 24, 2025

Undergraduate Catalog 2025-2026

Physics : Physics Option, BS

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The Bachelor of Science degree in Physics consists of four options. The Physics Option (PHYS) prepares students for research, industrial, and governmental careers or for graduate study in physics or related fields.

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 physics, chemistry, and mathematics courses. A maximum of one physics course with a D grade earned at Chicago State University will be accepted.

General Education Requirements (39 credit hours)

Core Requirements (12 credit hrs) See list …

English composition (6 hrs)
Oral communication (3 hrs)
- CMAT 2030 Required
Mathematics (3 hrs)

General Requirements (24 credit hrs)

Humanities/Fine Arts (9 hrs); at least 3 hrs Humanities and 3 hrs Fine Arts
Social Sciences (9 hrs); in at least two different disciplines
Natural Sciences (6 hrs); 3 hrs Physical Science and 3 hrs Life Sciences, one of which must be a lab course

College of Arts and Sciences General Education Requirements (3 credit hrs)

General Education
One course in a World Language (3 hrs)
One general education or major course carrying the diversity designation (embedded)

Program / Major Requirements (56 credit hrs)

Physics Core Requirements (45 credit hours)

Phys 2110 satisfies 3 credits of the General Education Requirement in Physical Science with lab.

* CHEM 1010 or PHYS 1010 is only required for entering freshmen, transferring freshmen and transferring sophomores.

CHEM 1010 - Practical Skills for Success in Science Credit Hours: 1
OR
PHYS 1010 - Practical Skills for Success in Science Credit Hours: 1
PHYS 1100 - Introduction to Physics and Engineering Credit Hours: 2
PHYS 2110 - General Physics I With Calculus: Mechanics Lecture and Laboratory Credit Hours: 4
PHYS 2220 - General Physics II with Calculus: Electromagnetism and Optics Credit Hours: 4
PHYS 2330 - General Physics III with Calculus: Thermodynamics, Optics and Modern Physics Credit Hours: 4
PHYS 2700 - Electronics I Credit Hours: 4
PHYS 2710 - Electronics II Credit Hours: 4
PHYS 3110 - Classical Mechanics I Credit Hours: 3
OR
PHYS 3115 - Honors Classical Mechanics I Credit Hours: 3
PHYS 3150 - Electricity and Magnetism I Credit Hours: 3
OR
PHYS 3155 - Honors Electricity and Magnetism I Credit Hours: 3
PHYS 3210 - Thermodynamics Credit Hours: 3
OR
CHEM 4250 - Macroscopic Physical Chemistry Credit Hours: 3
PHYS 3250 - Introduction to Quantum Mechanics I Credit Hours: 3
OR
PHYS 3255 - Honors Quantum Mechanics I Credit Hours: 3
OR
CHEM 4200 - Microscopic Physical Chemistry Credit Hours: 3
PHYS 3450 - Mathematical Methods of Physics I Credit Hours: 3
PHYS 4160 - Electricity and Magnetism II Credit Hours: 3
PHYS 4260 - Advanced Quantum Mechanics Credit Hours: 3
PHYS 4850 - Advanced Undergraduate Laboratory I Lecture and Laboratory Credit Hours: 4

Physics Capstone Course (3 credit hrs)

PHYS 4905 - Senior Thesis Credit Hours: 3

Required Supportive Courses

Physics Required Courses in Math and CS (16 hours)

Calculus I (Math 1410) satisfies the general education mathematics requirement

MATH 1410 - Calculus I Credit Hours: 4
MATH 1420 - Calculus II Credit Hours: 4
MATH 2430 - Calculus III Credit Hours: 4
MATH 2550 - Differential Equations Credit Hours: 4
CPTR 1100 - Introduction to C++ Programming Credit Hours: 3

Physics Required Courses in Biology, Chemistry, and Physical Science (11 credit hrs)

Biology 1070/1080 satisfy the General Education Life Science Requirement

CHEM 1400 - General Chemistry I Lecture Credit Hours: 3
CHEM 1410 - General Chemistry I Laboratory Credit Hours: 1
CHEM 1450 - General Chemistry II Lecture Credit Hours: 3
CHEM 1460 - General Chemistry II Laboratory Credit Hours: 1
PH S 1140 - Prac Earth/Spa Sci Credit Hours: 3
OR
PH S 1150 - Basic Astronomy Credit Hours: 3

Program / Major Electives (6 Credit hr)

Choose any other courses in consultation with the physics academic advisor.
PHYS 1310 or MATH 1310 can be used to satisfy 3 credits of the electives in this option.

Degree Program Credit Hour Total: 120

Sample 4-Year Plan

2nd Year - Spring

MATH 2550 - Differential Equations Credit Hours: 4
PHYS 2220 - General Physics II with Calculus: Electromagnetism and Optics Credit Hours: 4
Social Science Elective (Gen Ed) - Credits / Units: 3
Humanity or Fine Arts Elective (Gen Ed) - Credits / Units: 3
PH S 1140 - Prac Earth/Spa Sci Credit Hours: 3 or
PH S 1150 - Basic Astronomy Credit Hours: 3

3rd Year - Fall

PHYS 2330 - General Physics III with Calculus: Thermodynamics, Optics and Modern Physics Credit Hours: 4
PHYS 2700 - Electronics I Credit Hours: 4
PHYS 2100 - Thesis Research I Credit Hours: 1-3
Fine Arts Elective (Gen Ed) - Credits / Units: 3
Social Science Elective (Gen Ed) - Credits / Units: 3

3rd Year - Spring

PHYS 3450 - Mathematical Methods of Physics I Credit Hours: 3
PHYS 3110 - Classical Mechanics I Credit Hours: 3
PHYS 4900 - Thesis Research II Credit Hours: 1-6
PHYS 3210 - Thermodynamics Credit Hours: 3
PHYS 2710 - Electronics II Credit Hours: 4

4th Year - Fall

PHYS 3460 - Mathematical Methods of Physics II Credit Hours: 3
PHYS 3250 - Introduction to Quantum Mechanics I Credit Hours: 3
PHYS 3150 - Electricity and Magnetism I Credit Hours: 3
Social Science Elective (Gen Ed) - Credits / Units: 3

4th Year - Spring

PHYS 4850 - Advanced Undergraduate Laboratory I Lecture and Laboratory Credit Hours: 4
PHYS 4260 - Advanced Quantum Mechanics Credit Hours: 3
PHYS 4905 - Senior Thesis Credit Hours: 3
PHYS 4160 - Electricity and Magnetism II Credit Hours: 3
PHYS 4120 - Classical Mechanics II Credit Hours: 3