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Undergraduate Bulletin College of Arts and Sciences
Department of Physics

Minor in Physics

Students on Summer 2018, Fall 2018, or Spring 2019 requirements PHYSMIN
Students who have a deep interest in physics, but do not plan to major in the field, should consider pursuing a physics minor. The minor provides a solid background in all the main topics of contemporary physics, with the flexibility to study an area of particular interest (quantum physics, electromagnetism) in depth. It is aimed at those students who seek a more detailed and technical understanding of the fundamental laws that underlie all physical phenomena.

Requirements

The minor requires at least 19 credit hours, including the requirements listed below.
  1. Physics I. One (1) course:
    • PHYS-P 201 General Physics I
    • PHYS-P 221 Physics I
    • PHYS-H 221 Honors Physics I
  2. Physics II. One (1) course:
    • PHYS-P 202 General Physics II
    • PHYS-P 222 Physics II
    • PHYS-H 222 Honors Physics II
  3. Physics III. One (1) course:
    • PHYS-P 301 Physics III
    • PHYS-P 453 Introduction to Quantum Mechanics
  4. Modern Physics Laboratory. One (1) course:
    • PHYS-P 309 Modern Physics Laboratory
    • PHYS-P 451 Experiments in Modern Physics I
    • PHYS-P 460
  5. Elective. One (1) additional course for at least three (3) credit hours from the Physics Electives list.
    • Any PHYS-P 300–399 except PHYS-P 301
    • Any PHYS-P 400–499
  6. Minor GPA, Hours, and Minimum Grade Requirements.
    1. At least 9 credit hours in the minor must be completed in courses taken through the Indiana University Bloomington campus or an IU-administered or IU co-sponsored Overseas Study program.
    2. At least 9 credit hours in the minor must be completed at the 300–499 level.
    3. Except for the GPA requirement, a grade of C- or higher is required for a course to count toward a requirement in the minor.
    4. A GPA of at least 2.000 for all courses taken in the minor—including those where a grade lower than C- is earned—is required.
    5. Exceptions to minor requirements may be made with the approval of the department's Director of Undergraduate Studies, subject to final approval by the College of Arts and Sciences.