Department of Physics
Main Departmental Office
Physics Building, 110
P.O. Box 311427
Denton, TX 76203-1427
(940) 565-2626
Fax: (940) 565-2515
Web site: www.physics.unt.edu
Samuel E. Matteson, Chair
Faculty
Professors Deering, Duggan, Golden, Golding, Grigolini, Kobe, Littler, Matteson, McDaniel,
Mueller, Roberts. Associate Professors Harrison, Hu, Kowalski, Ordonez, Perez, Shiner, Ward, Weathers.
Assistant Professor Fanelli.
Introduction
From advancing state-of-the-art processes in the semiconductor industry to developing
computer software for simulating exotic phenomena, physicists and engineering physicists are helping to expand
the frontiers of both basic science and high technology. The diversity of work conducted by physicists
and engineering physicists occurs because physical science and engineering disciplines are based, to a
large extent, on physics principles. A bachelor's degree in physics or engineering physics also prepares
students for graduate work in astrophysics, biophysics, computational physics, medical physics and other
subfields and interdisciplinary fields in physics.
Programs of Study
The department offers the following undergraduate and graduate programs:
- Bachelor of Arts with a major in physics;
- Bachelor of Science in Physics;
- Bachelor of Science in Engineering Physics;
- Master of Arts,
- Master of Science, and
Doctor of Philosophy, all with a major in physics.
Substitutions in the BA or BS degree programs may be made only with the written consent of
the department chair. A minimum grade point average of 2.5 in all advanced-level courses is required
for graduation with a degree in physics or engineering physics.
Undergraduate Research
Undergraduate research opportunities are available for undergraduate students interested in physics
and engineering physics. Students should consult the undergraduate adviser.
Major in Physics
The BA with a major in physics is designed for students planning to teach physics in public
school, taking a double major or desiring a liberal arts education with a science concentration.
Degree Requirements
1. Hours Required and General/College
Requirements: A minimum of 128 semester hours, of which
42 must be advanced, and fulfillment of degree requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree
as specified in the "General University Requirements
" in the Academics section of this catalog and the College of Arts and Sciences requirements.
2. Major Requirements: 27 hours in physics to include: PHYS 1710/1730 (or 1410/1430 and
1420/1440), 2220/2240, 3010/3030; plus 15 more hours of advanced level physics courses. PHYS 2900, 2910, 4900
and 4910 may not count toward a bachelor's degree in physics.
3. Other Course Requirements: MATH 1710, 1720 and 2730; and CHEM 1410/1430 and 1420/1440.
4. Electives: See four-year plan.
Degree Requirements
1. Hours Required and General/College
Requirements: A minimum of 128 semester hours, of which
42 must be advanced, and fulfillment of degree requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree
as specified in the "General University Requirements
" in the Academics section of this catalog and the College of Arts and Sciences requirements
(excluding foreign language and natural and life sciences).
2. Major Requirements:
- Option I Required courses: Minimum of 50 hours in physics, including PHYS 1710/1730 (or
1410/1430 and 1420/1440), 2220/2240, 3010/3030, 3210, 3310, 3420, 4110, 4210, 4310 and 4950 (6 hours), plus
9 additional hours of advanced-level physics courses and 4 hours chosen from PHYS 1050/1051,
1060/1061 and 1251/1271. PHYS 2900, 2910, 4900 and 4910 may not count toward a bachelor's degree in physics.
- Option II Required Courses: Minimum of 36 hours in physics, including PHYS 1710/1730 (or
1410/1430 and 1420/1440), 2220/2240, 3010/3030, 3210, 3310, 4110, 4210, 4310 and 4950 (6 hours), plus 3
additional hours of advanced-level physics courses. PHYS 2900, 2910, 4900 and 4910 may not count toward
a bachelor's degree in physics.
3. Other Course Requirements: MATH 1710, 1720, 2700, 2730 and 3410; CHEM 1410/1430 and
1420/1440; and CSCI 1110.
4. Minor: A minor in engineering technology is required for Option II.
5. Electives: See four-year plan.
Degree Requirements
1. Hours Required and General/College
Requirements: A minimum of 130 semester hours, of which
42 must be advanced, and fulfillment of degree requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree
as specified in the "General University Requirements
" in the Academics section of this catalog and the College of Arts and Sciences requirements
(excluding foreign language and natural and life sciences).
2. Major Requirements: At least 30 semester hours in physics to include: PHYS 1710/1730,
2220/2240, 3010/3030, 3210, 3310, 4110, 4210 and 4310; plus 3 hours of advanced-level physics courses and at
least 30 hours of engineering technology to include: ENGR 2220, 2520, 3260 and 3960; ELET 3970; plus
14 hours chosen from ELET 2720 and 2750, MEET 3650, 3660, 3940 and 4350, and MFET 1220, 2450
and 3250. PHYS 2900, 2910, 4900 and 4910 may not count toward a bachelor's degree in engineering physics.
3. Other Course Requirements: MATH 1710, 1720, 2700, 2730 and 3410; CHEM 1410/1430 or
1413/1430, and 1420/1440 or 1423/1440; and CSCI 1110.
4. Minor: Optional.
5. Electives: See four-year plan.
Mathematics Requirements
Students who must schedule physics courses with mathematics prerequisites must plan their
mathematics programs carefully. Freshmen should note mathematics placement procedures described in the
Department of Mathematics section of this catalog. Physics majors who are advised to take MATH 1650 prior to
1710 may count this course as elective credit.
Minor in Physics
A minor in physics consists of a minimum of 18 hours of physics courses, including 10 advanced
hours. PHYS 2900, 2910, 4900 and 4910 may not count toward a minor in physics.
Teacher Certification
Teacher certification requirements were under review by the State Board for Educator Certification
at the time this catalog went to press. Contact your undergraduate adviser and the Department of
Teacher Education and Administration for current information.
The department offers degree programs leading to the Master of Arts, Master of Science and Doctor
of Philosophy. For information, consult the Graduate Catalog.
All Courses of Instruction are located in one section at the back of this catalog.
The "Course and Subject Guide," found in the Courses of Instruction section of this book, serves as
a table of contents and provides quick access to subject areas and prefixes.
Major in Physics
Following is one suggested four-year degree plan. Students are encouraged to see their adviser each
semester for help with program decisions and enrollment. Students are responsible for meeting all course
prerequisites. *See the University Core Curriculum section of this catalog for approved list of course options. ** See
Arts and Sciences degree requirements section of this catalog for approved list of course options.
FRESHMAN YEAR
FALL HOURS
CHEM 1410, General Chemistry 3
CHEM 1430, Laboratory for General Chemistry 1
ENGL 1310, College Writing I* 3
MATH 1710, Calculus I 4
PHYS 1710, Mechanics** 3
PHYS 1730, Laboratory in Mechanics** 1
Total 15
SOPHOMORE YEAR
FALL HOURS
LANG 2040, Foreign Language (intermediate)** 3
MATH 2730, Multivariable
Calculus 3
PHYS 3010, Modern Physics 3
PHYS 3030, Laboratory in Modern Physics 1
Humanities* 3
Wellness* 3
Total 16
JUNIOR YEAR
FALL HOURS
HIST 2610, United States History to 1865* 3
PSCI 1040, American Government* 3
PHYS Option (advanced) 3
Elective (advanced) 4
Visual and Performing Arts* 3
Total 16
SENIOR YEAR
FALL HOURS
PHYS Option (advanced) 3
Cross-cultural, Diversity and Global Studies* 3
Elective (advanced) 3
Elective (advanced) 3
Natural and Life Sciences** 4
Total 16
FRESHMAN YEAR
SPRING HOURS
CHEM 1420, General Chemistry 3
CHEM 1440, Laboratory for General Chemistry 1
ENGL 2700, Technical Writing* 3
MATH 1720, Calculus II 3
PHYS 2220, Electricity and Magnetism** 3
PHYS 2240, Laboratory in Wave Motion, Electricity, Magnetism and Optics** 1
Elective 3
Total 17
SOPHOMORE YEAR
SPRING HOURS
LANG 2050, Foreign Language (intermediate)** 3
PHYS Option (advanced) 3
Communication** 3
Elective (advanced) 4
Literature** 3
Total 16
JUNIOR YEAR
SPRING HOURS
HIST 2620, United States History Since 1865* 3
PSCI 1050, American Government* 3
PHYS Option (advanced) 3
Free Elective 4
Social and Behavioral Sciences* 3
Total 16
SENIOR YEAR
SPRING HOURS
PHYS Option (advanced) 3
Elective (advanced) 3
Elective (advanced) 3
Elective (advanced) 3
Elective 4
Total 16
Actual degree plans may vary depending on availability of courses in a given semester. Some courses
may require prerequisites not listed. Students may wish to use opportunities for electives to complete a
minor of their choice or secondary education courses for teacher certification.
BS in Physics
Following is one suggested four-year degree plan. Students are encouraged to see their adviser each
semester for help with program decisions and enrollment. Students are responsible for meeting all course
prerequisites. *See the University Core Curriculum section of this catalog for approved list of course options. ** See
Arts and Sciences degree requirements section of this catalog for approved list of course options.
FRESHMAN YEAR
FALL HOURS
CHEM 1410, General Chemistry 3
CHEM 1430, Laboratory for General Chemistry 1
ENGL 1310, College Writing I* 3
MATH 1710, Calculus I 4
PHYS 1710, Mechanics 3
PHYS 1730, Laboratory in Mechanics 1
Total 15
SOPHOMORE YEAR
FALL HOURS
MATH 2700, Linear Algebra and Vector
Geometry 3
PHYS 3010, Modern Physics 3
PHYS 3030, Laboratory in Modern Physics 1
PHYS 3420, Electronics 4
Communication** 3
Literature** 3
Total 17
JUNIOR YEAR
FALL HOURS
HIST 2610, United States History to 1865* 3
MATH 3410, Differential Equations I 3
PHYS 3210, Classical Mechanics 3
PHYS Elective (advanced) 3
Cross-cultural, Diversity and Global Studies*
3
Total 15
SENIOR YEAR
FALL HOURS
PHYS 4950, Senior Thesis 6
PSCI 1040, American Government* 3
Elective 3
Elective (advanced) 1
Visual and Performing Arts* 3
Total 16
FRESHMAN YEAR
SPRING HOURS
>CHEM 1420, General Chemistry 3
CHEM 1440, Laboratory for General Chemistry 1
MATH 1720, Calculus II 3
PHYS 2220, Electricity and Magnetism 3
PHYS 2240, Laboratory in Wave Motion, Electricity, Magnetism and Optics 1
Humanities* 3
Wellness* 3
Total 17
SOPHOMORE YEAR
SPRING HOURS
CSCI 1110, Program Development 4
ENGL 2700, Technical Writing* 3
MATH 2730, Multivariable Calculus 3
PHYS 4210, Electricity and Magnetism 3
PHYS Elective (advanced) 3
Total 16
JUNIOR YEAR
SPRING HOURS
HIST 2620, United States History Since 1865* 3
PHYS 3310, Mathematical Methods 3
PHYS 4110, Statistical and Thermal Physics 3
PHYS Elective (advanced) 3
Social and Behavioral Sciences* 3
Total 15
SENIOR YEAR
SPRING HOURS
PHYS 4310, Quantum Mechanics 3
PSCI 1050, American Government* 3
PHYS 1050, The Solar System, or PHYS 1060, Stars and the Universe, or PHYS 1251, Science
and Technology of Musical Sound 3
PHYS 1051, The Solar Systems Observations Laboratory, or PHYS 1061, Stellar Systems
Observations Laboratory, or PHYS 1271, Science and Technology of Musical Sound Laboratoy 1
Elective 3
Elective 4
Total 17
Actual degree plans may vary depending on availability of courses in a given semester. Some courses
may require prerequisites not listed. Students may wish to use opportunities for electives to complete a
minor of their choice or secondary education courses for teacher certification.
BS in Engineering Physics
Following is one suggested four-year degree plan. Students are encouraged to see their adviser each
semester for help with program decisions and enrollment. Students are responsible for meeting all course
prerequisites. *See the University Core Curriculum section of this catalog for approved list of course options. ** See
Arts and Sciences degree requirements section of this catalog for approved list of course options.
FRESHMAN YEAR
FALL HOURS
CHEM 1410, General Chemistry 3
CHEM 1430, Laboratory for General
Chemistry 1
ENGL 1310, College Writing I* 3
MATH 1710, Calculus I 4
PHYS 1710, Mechanics 3
PHYS 1730, Laboratory in Mechanics 1
Total 15
SOPHOMORE YEAR
FALL HOURS
ENGR 3260, Mechanics of Materials 3
MATH 2700, Linear Algebra and Vector Geometry 3
PHYS 3010, Modern Physics 3
PHYS 3030, Laboratory in Modern Physics I 1
Communication** 3
Humanities* 3
Total 16
JUNIOR YEAR
FALL HOURS
ENGR 3960, Electric Circuit Analysis 4
HIST 2610, United States History to 1865* 3
MATH 3410, Differential Equations I 3
PHYS 3210, Mechanics 3
Cross-cultural, Diversity and Global Studies*
3
Total 16
SENIOR YEAR
FALL HOURS
PHYS 4210, Electricity and Magnetism 3
PSCI 1040, American Government* 3
ETEC Selection (advanced) 3
ETEC Selection 4
Visual and Performing Arts* 3
Total 16
FRESHMAN YEAR
SPRING HOURS
CHEM 1420, General Chemistry 3
CHEM 1440, Laboratory for General Chemistry 1
ENGL 2700, Technical Writing* 3
ENGR 2220, Statics 3
MATH 1720, Calculus II 3
PHYS 2220, Electricity and Magnetism 3
PHYS 2240, Laboratory in Wave Motion, Electricity, Magnetism and Optics
1
Total 17
SOPHOMORE YEAR
SPRING HOURS
CSCI 1110, Program Development 4
ENGR 2520, Dynamics 3
MATH 2730, Multivariable Calculus 3
PHYS 3310, Methods of Theoretical Physics 3
Literature** 3
Total 16
JUNIOR YEAR
SPRING HOURS
ELET 3970, Electronic Devices and Controls 3
HIST 2620, United States History Since 1865* 3
PHYS 4110, Statistical and Thermal Physics 3
ETEC Selection (advanced) 3
Social and Behavioral Sciences* 3
Wellness* 3
Total 18
SENIOR YEAR
SPRING HOURS
PHYS 4310, Quantum Mechanics 3
PSCI 1050, American Government* 3
PHYS Elective (advanced) 3
ETEC Selection 4
Elective (advance) 3
Total 16
Actual degree plans may vary depending on availability of courses in a given semester. Some courses
may require prerequisites not listed. Students may wish to use opportunities for electives to complete a
minor of their choice or secondary education courses for teacher certification.