Nov 21, 2024

2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Physics, B.A.

120 hours (minimum)

Any student earning a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree must complete a minimum of 39 hours at the 300+ level. These hours are generally completed by the Major Requirements. However, keep this hour requirement in mind as you choose your course work for the requirements in the major. See the complete description of College requirements for a Bachelor of Arts degree .

UK Core Requirements

See the UK Core section of this Catalog for the complete UK Core requirements . The courses listed below are (a) recommended by the college, or (b) required courses that also fulfill UK Core areas. Students should work closely with their advisor to complete the UK Core requirements.

UK Core hours: 30

Graduation Composition and Communication Requirement (GCCR)

PHY 435 - INTERMEDIATE PHYSICS LABORATORY Credit(s): 3

Subtotal: Graduation Composition and Communication Requirement hours (GCCR): 3

College Requirements

I. Foreign Language: 0-14

(placement exam recommended)

II. Disciplinary Requirements

a. Natural Science

(completed by Premajor Requirements)

b. Social Science: 6

c. Humanities: 6

III. Laboratory or Field Work

(completed by Premajor Requirement)

IV. Race and Ethnicity Requirement: 0-3

V. Electives: 6

College Requirement hours: 18-35

Premajor Requirements

*Course used towards completion of a UK Core Requirement.

PHY 231 - GENERAL UNIVERSITY PHYSICS Credit(s): 4 *
PHY 232 - GENERAL UNIVERSITY PHYSICS Credit(s): 4 *
PHY 241 - GENERAL UNIVERSITY PHYSICS LABORATORY Credit(s): 1 *
PHY 242 - GENERAL UNIVERSITY PHYSICS LABORATORY Credit(s): 1 *
or with permission of the Director of Undergraduate Studies:
PHY 211 - GENERAL PHYSICS Credit(s): 5 *
PHY 213 - GENERAL PHYSICS Credit(s): 5 *
PHY 228 - OPTICS, RELATIVITY AND THERMAL PHYSICS Credit(s): 3
CHE 105 - GENERAL COLLEGE CHEMISTRY I Credit(s): 4
CHE 107 - GENERAL COLLEGE CHEMISTRY II Credit(s): 3
MA 113 - CALCULUS I Credit(s): 4 *
MA 114 - CALCULUS II Credit(s): 4

Premajor hours: 28

Major Requirements

Major Core Requirements

PHY 306 - THEORETICAL METHODS OF PHYSICS Credit(s): 3
PHY 335 - DATA ANALYSIS FOR PHYSICISTS Credit(s): 2
PHY 361 - PRINCIPLES OF MODERN PHYSICS Credit(s): 3
Any 3-hour 300-level PHY course Credit(s) 3
Any 3-hour 400-level PHY course Credit(s) 3
PHY 435 - INTERMEDIATE PHYSICS LABORATORY Credit(s): 3
MA 213 - CALCULUS III Credit(s): 4

Major Core hours: 21

Other Course Work Required for the Major

From Outside the Major Department

Choose 13-16 hours outside Physics at the 300+ level. Courses are generally chosen from biology, chemistry, computer science, education, engineering, mathematics, philosophy, or statistics. 200+ level courses used to satisfy College requirements can also be counted here Credit(s): 13-16

Other Major hours: 13-16

Total Minimum Hours Required for Degree: 121

Suggested Curriculum for B.A. in Physics

As you plan your physics studies, please note that upper division physics courses, PHY 3XX and all higher numbered courses, are offered once per year in the semester indicated on the suggested curricula. For example, PHY 306 and PHY 361 are offered in the spring semester only. This suggested curriculum minimally meets the requirements for the B.A. in Physics.

*A total of 14 credit hours in math, computer science, chemistry, engineering or other areas related to physics but outside the department must be completed to satisfy the college requirement. A total of 42 hours in physics and related areas must be taken to satisfy the major requirement.

**The Bachelor of Arts requires the completion of six hours in humanities and social sciences as a college requirement. It also requires the completion of 39 hours at or above the 300 level.

Freshman Year

First Semester

MA 113 - CALCULUS I Credit(s): 4
CIS 110 - COMPOSITION AND COMMUNICATION I Credit(s): 3
OR
WRD 110 - COMPOSITION AND COMMUNICATION I Credit(s): 3
UK Core Credit(s): 3
UK Core Credit(s): 3

Second Semester

MA 114 - CALCULUS II Credit(s): 4
PHY 231 - GENERAL UNIVERSITY PHYSICS Credit(s): 4
PHY 241 - GENERAL UNIVERSITY PHYSICS LABORATORY Credit(s): 1
UK Core Credit(s): 3
UK Core Credit(s): 3

Sophomore Year

First Semester

MA 213 - CALCULUS III Credit(s): 4 *
PHY 232 - GENERAL UNIVERSITY PHYSICS Credit(s): 4
PHY 242 - GENERAL UNIVERSITY PHYSICS LABORATORY Credit(s): 1
Foreign Language Credit(s): 4
CS 115 - INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER PROGRAMMING Credit(s): 3 *
OR
Major Related Electives Credit(s): 3

Second Semester

MA 214 - CALCULUS IV Credit(s): 3 *
OR
Major Related Electives Credit(s): 3
PHY 306 - THEORETICAL METHODS OF PHYSICS Credit(s): 3
PHY 228 - OPTICS, RELATIVITY AND THERMAL PHYSICS Credit(s): 3
Foreign Language Credit(s): 4
Electives Credit(s): 3

Junior Year

First Semester

CHE 105 - GENERAL COLLEGE CHEMISTRY I Credit(s): 4
PHY 335 - DATA ANALYSIS FOR PHYSICISTS Credit(s): 2
Foreign Language Credit(s): 3
MA 322 - MATRIX ALGEBRA AND ITS APPLICATIONS Credit(s): 3 *
OR
Major Related Electives Credit(s): 3
PHI 300+ Credit(s): 3
Electives Credit(s): 3

Second Semester

CHE 107 - GENERAL COLLEGE CHEMISTRY II Credit(s): 3
PHY 361 - PRINCIPLES OF MODERN PHYSICS Credit(s): 3
Foreign Language Credit(s): 3
Social Sciences 300+ Credit(s): 3 **
Major Related Electives Credit(s): 3

Senior Year

First Semester

PHY 3XX Credit(s): 3
PHY 4XX Credit(s): 3
Social Sciences 300+ Credit(s): 3 **
Major Related Electives Credit(s): 3
Electives Credit(s): 3

Second Semester

PHY 435 - INTERMEDIATE PHYSICS LABORATORY Credit(s): 3
PHY 4XX (suggested) Credit(s): 3
PHY 5XX (suggested) Credit(s): 3
Electives Credit(s): 5

Physics, B.A.

UK Core Requirements

I. Intellectual Inquiry in Arts and Creativity

II. Intellectual Inquiry in the Humanities

III. Intellectual Inquiry in the Social Sciences

IV. Intellectual Inquiry in the Natural, Physical, and Mathematical Sciences

V. Composition and Communication I

VI. Composition and Communication II

VII. Quantitative Foundations

VIII. Statistical Inferential Reasoning

IX. Community, Culture and Citizenship in the USA

X. Global Dynamics

UK Core hours: 30

Graduation Composition and Communication Requirement (GCCR)

Subtotal: Graduation Composition and Communication Requirement hours (GCCR): 3

College Requirements

I. Foreign Language: 0-14

II. Disciplinary Requirements

a. Natural Science

b. Social Science: 6

c. Humanities: 6

III. Laboratory or Field Work

IV. Race and Ethnicity Requirement: 0-3

V. Electives: 6

College Requirement hours: 18-35

Premajor Requirements

Premajor hours: 28

Major Requirements

Major Core Requirements

Major Core hours: 21

Other Course Work Required for the Major

From Outside the Major Department

Other Major hours: 13-16

Total Minimum Hours Required for Degree: 121

Suggested Curriculum for B.A. in Physics

Freshman Year

First Semester

Second Semester

Sophomore Year

First Semester

Second Semester

Junior Year

First Semester

Second Semester

Senior Year

First Semester

Second Semester