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Undergraduate Bulletin College of Arts and Sciences
Department of Physics

Program I: Physics (Bachelor of Science in Physics)

Students on Summer 2019, Fall 2019, or Spring 2020 requirements PHYSICSTRK
Students planning to continue on in physics, either by pursuing a graduate degree (Ph.D.) in the field or by performing research at a national laboratory, are strongly encouraged to obtain a B.S. degree in Physics. The required coursework provides the high level of theoretical understanding of physical laws needed in order to succeed in these career paths, along with a solid background in practical laboratory techniques and skills.

Requirements

The major requires at least 35 credit hours, including the requirements listed below.
  1. Physics I. One (1) course:
    • PHYS-H 221 Honors Physics I
    • PHYS-P 221 Physics I
  2. Physics II. One (1) course:
    • PHYS-H 222 Honors Physics II
    • PHYS-P 222 Physics II
  3. Physics III. One (1) course:
    • PHYS-P 301 Physics III
  4. Theory of Electricity and Magnetism I. One (1) course:
    • PHYS-P 331 Theory of Electricity and Magnetism I
  5. Analytical Mechanics I. One (1) course:
    • PHYS-P 441 Analytical Mechanics I
  6. Introduction to Quantum Mechanics. One (1) course:
    • PHYS-P 453 Introduction to Quantum Mechanics
  7. Modern Physics Laboratory. One (1) course:
    • PHYS-P 309 Modern Physics Laboratory
  8. Experiments in Modern Physics I. One (1) course:
    • PHYS-P 451 Experiments in Modern Physics I
    • PHYS-P 460 (with permission of department)
  9. Physics Electives. Additional courses, as needed to fulfill remaining requirements, selected from the Physics Electives list.
    • Any PHYS-P 300–399 except PHYS-P 301; PHYS-P 309; PHYS-P 331
    • Any PHYS-P 400–499 except PHYS-P 441; PHYS-P 453
    • Any PHYS-X 100–499
  10. Addenda Requirements*.
    1. Mathematics and Computer Science. 20 credit hours in mathematics and computer science, including the following:
      1. Calculus I. One (1) course:
        • MATH-M 211 Calculus I
        • MATH-S 211
      2. Calculus II. One (1) course:
        • MATH-M 212 Calculus II
        • MATH-S 212 Honors Calculus II
      3. Calculus III. One (1) course:
        • MATH-M 311 Calculus III
        • MATH-S 311 Honors Course in Calculus III
      4. Introduction to Differential Equations with Applications I. One (1) course:
        • MATH-M 343
        • MATH-S 343 Honors Course in Differential Equations
      5. Electives. Additional Mathematics or Computer Science courses, as needed, to fulfill the requirement.
    2. Biological and Physical Sciences. Nine (9) credit hours in the biological and physical sciences, outside of the Departments of Physics, Mathematics, and Computer Science. At least six (6) of the nine (9) credit hours must be in the same department.
  11. Major GPA, Hours, and Minimum Grade Requirements.
    1. At least 18 credit hours in the major 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 18 credit hours in the major 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 major.
    4. A GPA of at least 2.000 for all courses taken in the major—including those where a grade lower than C- is earned—is required.
    5. Exceptions to major 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.