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Department of Physics
Main Departmental Office
Physics Building, 110
P.O. Box 5368
Denton, TX 76203-0368
(817) 565-2626
Fax: (817) 565-2515
Samuel E. Matteson, Chair
Faculty
Professors Duggan, Golden, Grigolini, Kobe, Mackey, McDaniel, Roberts, Sybert, West. Associate Professors Deering, Harrison, Kowalski, Littler, Matteson, Mueller, Sears. Assistant Professors Hu, Ordonez, Perez, Shiner, Tsironis, Ward, Weathers. Visiting Assistant Professor Hajsaleh.
Introduction
The physics department trains students at the undergraduate and graduate levels to become professional physicists and provides a foundation in the fundamental physical principles necessary for effective work in other natural sciences, engineering, medicine, dentistry, technology, and elementary and secondary education.
Programs of Study
The department offers undergraduate and graduate programs in the following areas:
Undergraduate
Bachelor of Arts
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. Students who expect to teach physics in secondary schools should elect the Bachelor of Arts program and include all courses required by the State of Texas for teacher certification. Theses requirements are listed under the Department of Teacher Education and Administration in the College of Education section.
The Bachelor of Arts with a major in physics is designed to support a wide range of career opportunities by providing for the development of strong analytical thinking and problem-solving techniques.
The Bachelor of Arts program is recommended for students taking a double major or combining physics with another major concentration. For example, a major in physics may be combined with a major in engineering technology, computer science, mathematics, chemistry or biology. Also students majoring in physics may choose to group courses toward career interest areas such as technology assessmenta, investment analysisb, or medical sciencec.
- a recommended courses: PSCI 2300, 3200, 3300; ECON 1100, 1110, 3550, 3560
- b recommended courses: FINA 3770, 4200, 4210, 4310, 4410; ACCT 2020, 2030
- c recommended courses: BIOL 1710/1730, 1720/1740, 3800/3810, 4200; CHEM 1410/1430, 1420/1440, 3600
Supplemental Information for BA with a Major in Physics
1. 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 College of Arts and Sciences section of this catalog.
2. Minimum of 31 hours of physics.
3. Required courses: PHYS 1710/1730, 2220/2240, 3010/3030 and 3210, plus 12 hours chosen from: PHYS 3220, 3310, 3420, 4110, 4160, 4210, 4220, 4310, 4420 and 4500; MATH 1710, 1720, 2700 or 2730, and 3410; and CHEM 1410 or 1413/1430 and 1420 or 1423/1440.
4. Students also must satisfy the general requirements of the "Arts and Sciences Core Curriculum" in the College of Arts and Sciences section and the "University Core Curriculum Requirements" in the Academics section of this catalog.
5. Physics Options: PHYS 3220, 3420(4), 4050, 4150 or 4160, 4220, 4420, 4500, 4550, 4600, 4710.
6. Advanced-level courses in physics are offered on a two-year cycle. Planning for physics courses must be done by using the frequency of offering schedule below:
- ·Spring (even years): PHYS 3220, 3420, 4150
- ·Fall (even years): PHYS 3010/3030, 3210, 4210, 4600
- ·Spring (odd years): PHYS 4160, 4420, 4310
- ·Fall (odd years): PHYS 3010/3030, 3210, 3310, 4110
Bachelor of Science in Physics
Degree Requirements
Candidates for the Bachelor of Science must meet the following requirements.
1. Hours Required for the Degree: Completion of a minimum of 134 total semester hours; 42 must be advanced.
2. General University Requirements: See "General Degree Requirements" in the Academics section of this catalog.
3. College of Arts and Sciences Core Curriculum: Minimum 61 hours (includes requirements of University Core Curriculum). See "Arts and Sciences Core Curriculum" in the College of Arts and Sciences section of this catalog for specific core requirements and list of approved courses. See specific degree plan for exact hours.
4. Major Requirements: A major of at least 44 semester hours.
- Option I Required courses: PHYS 1710/1730, 2220/2240, 3010/3030, 3210, 3310, 3420, 4110, 4150, 4160, 4210, 4310 and 4500, plus
7 advanced hours chosen from PHYS 3220, 4350, 4360, 4420, 4600, 4900 or 4910.
- Option II Required Courses: PHYS 1710/1730, 2220/2240, 3010/3030, 3210, 3220, 3310, 4110, 4150, 4210, 4220, 4310, 4350 and 4360, plus 2 advanced hours chosen from PHYS 4160, 4550, 4600, 4710, 4900 or 4910.
5. Minor Requirements: A minor of at least 18 hours, of which a minimum of 6 hours must be advanced, in a second department of the sciences.
6. Electives: See degree plan.
7. Other Course Requirements: MATH 1710, 1720, 2700, 2730 and 3410, plus 3 advanced hours numbered above 3200 (may not include 4960 and 4970); CHEM 1410-1420 and 1430-1440; and CSCI 1100 and 1110.
8. Other Requirements: It is recommended that the required foreign language be German, French or Russian. Students who wish to take some other language should consult the department.
DRED (Traffic Safety) courses may not be used to satisfy any portion of a degree in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Supplemental Information for BS in Physics
1. Physics Options: PHYS 3220, 3420(4), 4050, 4150 or 4160, 4220, 4500, 4550, 4600, 4710
2. Advanced-level courses in physics are offered on a two-year cycle. Planning for physics courses must be done by using the frequency of offering schedule below:
- · Spring (even years): PHYS 3220, 3420, 4150
- · Fall (even years): PHYS 3010/3030, 3210, 4210, 4600
- · Spring (odd years): PHYS 4160, 4420, 4310
- · Fall (odd years): PHYS 3010/3030, 3210, 3310, 4110
3. 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 PHYS 1710 may count this courses as elective credit.
4. Minimum total of hours required for degree: 134
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
Students majoring in science who select a physics minor should take PHYS 1710/1730, 2220/2240, and 10 advanced hours chosen in consultation with the student's major department. Students who are not majoring in science and who do not wish to follow this minor sequence must have their programs approved by the chair of the physics department.
Teacher Certification
The department recommends that students who wish to teach physics in high school pursue the Bachelor of Arts degree.
Students who expect to teach physics in secondary schools must complete the requirements of the state of Texas for teacher certification as listed by the Department of Teacher Education and Administration in the College of Education section.
The department offers degree programs leading to the Master of Arts, Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy. For information, consult the Graduate Catalog.
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