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The Department of Physics offers three programs of study leading to a major in physics. Two of these are in the College of Arts and Sciences, Liberal Education Curriculum (Physics Major and Physics Major with Electrical Engineering Option) and are programs that prepare students for graduate study or professional employment in physics. The secondary education (SED) Physics major prepares students to teach physics at the high school level and is designed for students in the College of Education and Human Development. A Geophysics Major, sponsored jointly by the departments of Geosciences and Physics, is also available, enabling students to prepare for a career in this important area of applied physics.
Any student considering a major or minor in any of these areas should schedule an appointment with the Physics undergraduate advisor. To schedule an appointment, call 387-4940 or stop by the main office in the Department of Physics, 1120 Everett Tower. For general advising regarding university and general education requirements as well as pre-professional advising, students should meet with an advisor in the College of Arts and Sciences. The College's advising office is located in 2318 Friedmann Hall. A student with a major within the College of Arts and Sciences needs to meet regularly with both a departmental and college advisor to ensure all requirements for graduation are met.
Students will want to contact the department undergraduate advisor regarding courses, employment opportunities, and graduate study in physics. Any physics major may qualify for departmental honors in physics by fulfilling the following requirements:
- Complete the courses recommended for students planning to enter graduate school.
- Attain by the end of the semester preceding graduation an accumulated grade point average of at least 3.5 in physics courses and an accumulated grade point average of 3.0 in other courses.
All students majoring or minoring in Physics are required to complete the introductory courses PHYS 2050, PHYS 2060, PHYS 2070, PHYS 2080, PHYS 3090, and PHYS 3100 with a grade of "C" or better in each course.