OHIO University Undergraduate Catalog 2021-22
[Archived Catalog]
Physics Major (B.S.) |
Major code BS3331
College of Arts and Sciences
Physics and Astronomy
Clippinger Labs 251
Athens, OH 45701
Fax: 740.593.0433
physics@ohio.edu
www.ohio.edu/cas/physastro/
David Tees, contact person
tees@ohio.edu
Program Overview
The B.S. degree in physics provides a comprehensive introduction to both classical and modern physics. Students graduating with this degree will have a good understanding of Newtonian mechanics, electromagnetic phenomena, thermodynamics, special relativity and quantum mechanics. Students will also gain practical skills from laboratory and computer programming courses. The B.S. degree is the standard preparation for graduate degrees in Physics.
Admissions Information
Freshman/First-Year Admission
No requirements beyond University admission requirements. However, it is recommended that students entering the program have at least a Math Placement Level II, or an ACT Math score of 24, or a SAT Math score of 560.
Change of Program Policy
No selective or limited admission requirements. However, it is recommended that students changing into the program have at least a Math Placement Level II, or an ACT Math score of 24, or a SAT Math score of 560.
External Transfer Admission
No requirements beyond University admission requirements. However, it is recommended that students transferring into the program have at least a Math Placement Level II, or an ACT Math score of 24, or a SAT Math score of 560.
Opportunities Upon Graduation
The B.S. degree in physics is the gateway to many careers. An emphasis on physics together with the classical liberal education provided in the College of Arts and Sciences for all its B.S. degrees will prepare students for competitive graduate school programs and careers as diverse as the law, education, medicine, science writing, business, and politics. Potential employers of those with a physics degree include, but are not limited to, the following: institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, research centers, hospitals, the environmental industry, the electronic industry, public and private K-12 school systems, government entities, etc. In addition, the degree prepares students for advanced training in physics at the graduate level.
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Requirements
Universitywide Graduation Requirements
To complete this program, students must meet all Universitywide graduation requirements .
Liberal Arts and Sciences Distribution Requirement
View the College and Liberal Arts and Sciences Distribution Requirements .
Physics Hours Requirement
Complete a total of 36 semester credit hours of PHYS coursework, including all the requirements below.
General Physics Sequence
General Physics I
Complete one of the following courses/sequence:
-
- PHYS 2051 - General Physics Credit Hours: 5
- PHYS 2051H - General Physics for Physics and Astronomy Majors Credit Hours: 5
- PHYS 2054 - General Physics 1 classical mechanics and thermodynamics Credit Hours: 3
-
and
- PHYS 2055 - General Physics 1 laboratory course Credit Hours: 1
General Physics II
Complete one of the following courses/sequence:
-
- PHYS 2052 - General Physics Credit Hours: 5
- PHYS 2052H - General Physics for Physics and Astronomy Majors Credit Hours: 5
-
or
- PHYS 2056 - General Physics 2 electricity and magnetism Credit Hours: 3
-
and
- PHYS 2057 - General Physics 2 laboratory course Credit Hours: 1
Other Physics Courses
Complete the following courses:
-
- PHYS 2053 - Contemporary Physics: Relativity and Quantum Phenomena Credit Hours: 3
- PHYS 3001 - Mechanics Credit Hours: 4
Physics Seminar and Labs
Complete the following courses:
- PHYS 1901 - Physics Seminar Credit Hours: 1
- PHYS 2701 - Electronics Laboratory Credit Hours: 2
- PHYS 3701 - Intermediate Laboratory - Electrons & Photons Credit Hours: 2
- PHYS 3702 - Intermediate Laboratory - Photons & Nucleons Credit Hours: 2
Advanced Physics Requirements
Complete the following courses:
- PHYS 3011 - Thermal Physics Credit Hours: 3
- PHYS 4021 - Introduction to Quantum Mechanics Credit Hours: 3
- PHYS 4031 - Electricity and Magnetism 1 Credit Hours: 3
- PHYS 4032 - Electricity and Magnetism 2 Credit Hours: 3
Physics Common Mathematics Requirements
Complete the following courses:
- MATH 2301 - Calculus I Credit Hours: 4
- MATH 2302 - Calculus II Credit Hours: 4
- MATH 3200 - Applied Linear Algebra Credit Hours: 3
- MATH 3300 - Calculus III Credit Hours: 4
- MATH 3400 - Elementary Differential Equations Credit Hours: 3
- MATH 4410 - Fourier Analysis and Partial Differential Equations Credit Hours: 3
Numerical Requirement for Physics
Complete the following course:
- MATH 3600 - Applied Numerical Methods Credit Hours: 3