OHIO University Undergraduate Catalog 2023-2024
[Archived Catalog]
Physics—Applied Physics Major (B.S.) |
Major code BS3332
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/physics-astronomy
David Tees, contact person
tees@ohio.edu
Program Overview
The B.S. degree in applied physics provides comprehensive introductory courses in physics, as well as practical courses in engineering, biology, or economics/business. Students graduating with this degree will have a good understanding of Newtonian mechanics and modern physics, as well as discipline-specific courses that are agreed upon between the student and his/her advisor. Students will also gain useful skills from physics laboratory and computer programming courses.
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
With a B.S. degree in applied physics, graduates receive the essential academic preparation needed for access to competitive graduate school programs. They are also qualified for careers in industry and government, with an emphasis on engineering physics, medical biophysics or quantitative finance, depending on the individual classes on the student’s transcript. 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, this degree prepares students for a master’s degree at the graduate level.
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Requirements
Universitywide Graduation Requirements
Ohio University requires the completion of a minimum of 120 semester hours for the conferral of a bachelor’s degree. This program can be completed within that 120-hour requirement. For more information on the minimum hours requirement and other universitywide requirements, please review the Graduation Requirements – Universitywide page.
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