Main Departmental Office
Physics Building, 110
P.O. Box 305370
Denton, TX 76203-5370
(940) 565-2626
Fax: (940) 565-2515
Web site: www.phys.unt.edu
Professors Deering, Duggan, Golden, Grigolini, Kobe, Mackey, Matteson, McDaniel, Roberts, Sybert, West. Associate Professors Harrison, Hu, Kowalski, Littler, Mueller, Ordonez, Perez, Sears, Ward, Weathers. Assistant Professors Fanelli, Shiner.
From advancing state-of-the-art processes in the semiconductor industry to developing computer software for simulating exotic phenomena, physicists are helping to expand the frontiers of both basic science and high technology. The diversity of work conducted by physicists occurs because physical science and engineering disciplines are based, to a large extent, on physics principles.
The department offers undergraduate and graduate programs in the following areas:
Two options are provided for pursuing the Bachelor of Science in Physics. One is an advanced physics option (Option I), which is designed primarily to prepare students for more advanced studies in physics. The other is a high technology physics option (Option II), which is designed primarily for students planning to enter the technical work force after graduation. Option II requires a minor in engineering technology.
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.
Undergraduate research opportunities are available for students pursuing the following degrees:
One-page degree planners for these degree programs are available from the main departmental office.
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. These 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 high technology
management, technology assessment, investment analysis or medical science.
FRESHMAN YEAR
CHEM 1410, General Chemistry10 3
CHEM 1430, Laboratory for General
Chemistry 1
ENGL 1310, College Writing I 3
MATH 1710, Calculus I4 4
PHYS 1710, Mechanics 3
PHYS 1730, Laboratory in Mechanics 1
Wellness11 3
Total 18
ENGL 2210, World Literature I 3
LANG 2040, Foreign Language
(intermediate)3 3
MATH 2700, Linear Algebra and Vector Geometry, or 2730, Multivariable
Calculus 3
PHYS 3010, Modern Physics20 3
PHYS 3030, Laboratory in Modern Physics 1
PHYS 3210, Classical Mechanics 3
Total 16
HIST 2610, United States History to 186512 3
PSCI 1040, American Government 3
PHYS Option (advanced) 3
Elective (advanced)15,16 3
Visual and Performing Arts7 3
Total 15
PHYS Option (advanced) 3
Elective (advanced)16 3
Elective (advanced)16 4
Natural and Life Science9 4
Understanding of Ideas and Values8 3
Total 17
CHEM 1420, General Chemistry10 3
CHEM 1440, Laboratory for General
Chemistry 1
ENGL 1320, College Writing II6 3
MATH 1720, Calculus II 3
PHYS 2220, Electricity and Magnetism 3
PHYS 2240, Laboratory in Wave Motion, Electricity, Magnetism and Optics 1
Oral Communication2 3
Total 17
ENGL 2220, World Literature II 3
LANG 2050, Foreign Language
(intermediate)3 3
MATH 3410, Differential Equations I 3
CSCI1 3
PHYS Option (advanced) 3
Total 15
ECON 1110, Principles of Macroeconomics 3
HIST 2620, United States History Since 186512 3
PSCI 1050, American Government 3
PHYS Option (advanced) 3
Free Elective16 3
Total 15
PHYS Option (advanced) 1
PHYS Option (advanced) 3
Elective (advanced)16 3
Elective (advanced)16 3
Elective (advanced)16 3
Understanding of Ideas and Values8 3
Total 16
Actual degree plans may vary depending on availability of courses in a given semester.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.
Candidates for the Bachelor of Science must meet the following requirements.
1. Hours Required for the Degree: Completion of a minimum of 130 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. Note: Core requirements were being revised at the time this catalog went to press. Contact a degree program adviser for more information.
4. Major Requirements: A major of at least 38 semester hours.
5. Minor Requirements: A minor in engineering technology is required for Option II.
6. Electives: See degree plan.
7. 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.
DRED (Traffic Safety) courses may not be used to satisfy any portion of a degree in the College of Arts and Sciences.
FRESHMAN YEAR
CHEM 1410, General Chemistry10 3
CHEM 1430, Laboratory for General
Chemistry 1
ENGL 1310, College Writing I 3
MATH 1710, Calculus I4, 58 4
PHYS 1710, Mechanics 3
PHYS 1730, Laboratory in Mechanics 1
Total 15
ENGL 2220, World Literature II 3
MATH 2700, Linear Algebra and Vector Geometry58 3
PHYS 3010, Modern Physics20 3
PHYS 3030, Laboratory in Modern Physics20 1
PHYS 3420, Electronics 4
Oral Communication2 3
Total 17
HIST 2610, United States History to 186512 3
MATH 3410, Differential Equations I58 3
PHYS 3210, Classical Mechanics 3
PHYS Elective (advanced)16 3
Understanding of Ideas and Values8 3
Total 15
PHYS 4210, Electricity and Magnetism 3
PHYS 4950, Senior Thesis 3
PSCI 1040, American Government 3
Elective (advanced) 3
Elective16 3
Visual and Performing Arts7 3
Total 18
CHEM 1420, General Chemistry10 3
CHEM 1440, Laboratory for General
Chemistry 1
ENGL 2210, World Literature I 3
MATH 1720, Calculus II58 3
PHYS 2220, Electricity and Magnetism 3
PHYS 2240, Laboratory in Wave Motion, Electricity, Magnetism and Optics 1
Wellness11 3
Total 17
CSCI 1110, Program Development 4
ENGL 2700, Technical Writing 3
MATH 2730, Multivariable Calculus58 3
PHYS 4210, Electricity and Magnetism 3
PHYS Elective (advanced) 3
Total 16
HIST 2620, United States History Since 186512 3
PHYS 3310, Mathematical Methods 3
PHYS 4110, Statistical and Thermal Physics 3
Elective (advanced) 3
Understanding of Ideas and Values8 3
Total 15
ECON 1110, Principles of Macroeconomics 3
PHYS 4310, Quantum Mechanics 3
PSCI 1050, American Government 3
Elective16 4
Elective16 3
Total 17
Actual degree plans may vary depending on availability of courses in a given semester.Minimum total of hours required for degree: 130.
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.
Students majoring in science who select a physics minor must complete a minimum of 18 hours including 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.
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.
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.
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