The department offers courses in physics, astronomy, and geology, serving three broad groups of students: those majoring in physics with plans to either enter graduate school in physics, astronomy, or a related field, or make a career in industry or government; those taking courses in other sciences and/or in preparation for entrance into a professional school such as education, health sciences, engineering, or technology; and those who have little or no scientific background and wish to learn some physical science.

The following courses are intended for students not majoring in physics. Little or no background in university-level science is required, but a high school algebra and science background is assumed.

AST A100 The Solar System
AST A105 Stars and Galaxies
GEOL G111 Physical Geology
GEOL G112 Historical Geology
GEOL G210 Oceanography
GEOL G490 Topics: Introduction to Meteorology
PHYS P100 Physics in the Modern World (5 cr.)
PHYS P105 Basic Physics of Sound
PHYS P120 Energy and Technology
PHYS P151 Excursions into Physics

The following courses are intended for students majoring in biological sciences, allied health sciences, and computer science, and for students in the Purdue University School of Technology program. Such students are urged to also consider the courses listed for physics majors and minors. Credit may only be obtained for either PHYS P201 General Physics 1 or PHYS P221 Physics 1 and for either PHYS P202 General Physics 2 or PHYS P222 Physics 2.

PHYS P201 General Physics 1 (5 cr.)
PHYS P202 General Physics 2 (5 cr.)
PHYS P281 Solid State Electronics I
PHYS P303 Digital Electronics
PHYS P334 Fundamentals of Optics

Minor in Physics

(All courses are 3 cr. hours unless otherwise designated.)

Requirements (20 cr.)

PHYS P221 Physics 1 (5 cr.)
PHYS P222 Physics 2 (5 cr.)
PHYS P301 Physics 3
PHYS P309 Modern Physics Laboratory (2 cr.)

Remaining credit hours from physics, astronomy, or geology to be chosen with approval of department.

Under exceptional circumstances, a student having taken PHYS P201 General Physics 1 and PHYS P202 General Physics 2 may be admitted to a 300- or 400-level course with permission of the instructor.

Bachelor of Arts in Physics

(All courses are 3 cr. hours unless otherwise designated.)

Concentration Requirements (30 cr.)

PHYS P221 Physics 1 (5 cr.)
PHYS P222 Physics 2 (5 cr.)
PHYS P301 Physics 3
PHYS P309 Modern Physics Laboratory (2 cr.)

Choose from the following (15 cr.)
AST A451 Introductory Astrophysics I (R)
AST A452 Introductory Astrophysics II
GEOL G210 Oceanography
GEOL G413 Introduction to Geophysics
PHYS P281 Solid State Electronics I
PHYS P303 Digital Electronics
PHYS P321 Techniques of Theoretical Physics
PHYS P331 Theory of Electricity and Magnetism
PHYS P334 Fundamentals of Optics
PHYS P340 Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics
PHYS P441 Analytical Mechanics I
PHYS P453 Introduction to Quantum Mechanics
PHYS S405 Readings in Physics (1-3 cr.)
PHYS S406 Research (1-3 cr.)

Mathematics Requirements
MATH M215 Analytic Geometry and Calculus I (5 cr.)
MATH M216 Analytic Geometry and Calculus II (5 cr.)
MATH M343 Introduction to Differential Equations with Applications I

Recommended Courses
CHEM C105 Principles of Chemistry I
CHEM C106 Principles of Chemistry II
CHEM C125 Experimental Chemistry I (2 cr.)
CHEM C126 Experimental Chemistry II (2 cr.)
CSCI C101 Computer Programming I (4 cr.)
MATH M301 Linear Algebra and Applications
MATH M311 Calculus III (5 cr.)
MATH M344 Introduction to Differential Equations with Applications II
MATH M471 Numerical Analysis I

Students earning the Bachelor of Arts degree in physics must also complete the general education requirements established by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

No more than 6 credit hours of PHYS S405 Readings in Physics and no more than 3 credit hours of PHYS S406 Research may be applied to the 30 credit hour concentration requirement.

Bachelor of Science in Physics

(All courses are 3 cr. hours unless otherwise designated.)

General Requirements (33 cr.)

ENG W131 Elementary Composition

Foreign Language (6 cr. in one language)

Social and Behavioral Sciences (9 cr.)

Arts and Humanities (9 cr.)

Additional science and mathematics courses (6 cr.) selected with approval of the department. A course designated a science and culture course in the general education area for liberal arts and sciences may be substituted with departmental approval.

Concentration Requirements (35 cr.)

PHYS P221 Physics 1 (5 cr.)
PHYS P222 Physics 2 (5 cr.)
PHYS P301 Physics 3
PHYS P309 Modern Physics Laboratory (2 cr.)
PHYS P331 Theory of Electricity and Magnetism
PHYS P340 Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics
PHYS P441 Analytical Mechanics I
PHYS P453 Introduction to Quantum Mechanics
PHYS S406 Research (1-3 cr.)

Choose from the following: (5-7 cr.)
AST A451 Introductory Astrophysics I
AST A452 Introductory Astrophysics II
GEOL G413 Introduction to Geophysics
PHYS P281 Solid State Electronics I
PHYS P303 Digital Electronics
PHYS P321 Techniques of Theoretical Physics
PHYS P334 Fundamentals of Optics
PHYS S405 Readings in Physics (1-3 cr.)

Mathematics Requirements
MATH M215 Analytic Geometry and Calculus I (5 cr.)
MATH M216 Analytic Geometry and Calculus II (5 cr.)
MATH M301 Linear Algebra and Applications
MATH M311 Calculus III (5 cr.)
MATH M343 Introduction to Differential Equations with Applications I

One of the following: (3 cr.)
MATH M344 Introduction to Differential Equations with Applications II
MATH M447 Mathematical Models and Applications
MATH M471 Numerical Analysis I

Recommended Courses
CHEM C105 Principles of Chemistry I
CHEM C106 Principles of Chemistry II
CHEM C125 Experimental Chemistry I (2 cr.)
CHEM C126 Experimental Chemistry II (2 cr.)
CSCI C101 Computer Programming I (4 cr.)

No more than 6 credit hours of PHYS S405 Readings in Physics and no more than 3 credit hours of PHYS S406 Research may be applied to the 35 credit hour concentration requirement.

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