Mar 28, 2024  
2020-2021 Undergraduate Bulletin 
    
2020-2021 Undergraduate Bulletin [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Physics, B.S.


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120 hours (minimum)

Any student earning a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree must complete a minimum of 60 hours in natural, physical, mathematical, and computer science. See the complete description of College requirements for a Bachelor of Science degree , including a specific listing of courses applicable to the 60-hour requirement.

UK Core Requirements


See the UK Core section of this Bulletin for the complete UK Core requirements . The courses listed below are (a) recommended by the college, or (b) required courses that also fulfill UK Core areas. Students should work closely with their advisor to complete the UK Core requirements.

I. Intellectual Inquiry in Arts and Creativity


II. Intellectual Inquiry in the Humanities


III. Intellectual Inquiry in the Social Sciences


IV. Intellectual Inquiry in the Natural, Physical, and Mathematical Sciences


V. Composition and Communication I


VI. Composition and Communication II


VII. Quantitative Foundations


VIII. Statistical Inferential Reasoning


IX. Community, Culture and Citizenship in the USA


X. Global Dynamics


UK Core hours: 30


Graduation Composition and Communication Requirement (GCCR)


Subtotal: Graduation Composition and Communication Requirement hours (GCCR): 3


College Requirements


I. Foreign Language: 0-14


(placement exam recommended)

II. Disciplinary Requirements


a. Natural Science


(completed by Premajor Requirements)

b. Social Science: 3


c. Humanities: 3


III. Laboratory or Field Work


(completed by Premajor Requirement)

IV. Electives: 6


College Requirement hours: 12-26


Premajor Requirements


*Course used towards completion of a UK Core Requirement.

Premajor hours: 28


Major Requirements


Other Course Work Required for the Major


From Outside the Major Department


  • Choose 6 hours outside Physics at the 200+ level. Courses are generally chosen from biology, chemistry, computer science, education, engineering, mathematics, philosophy, or statistics. 200+ level courses used to satisfy College requirements can also be counted here Credit(s): 6

Other Major hours: 6


Total Minimum Hours Required for Degree: 120


Suggested Curriculum for B.S. in Physics


(NOTE: Students who have completed calculus or chemistry should visit our website at: https://pa.as.uky.edu/majorand-minor-requirements for suggested curriculum.) As you plan your physics studies, please note that upper division physics courses, PHY 3XX and all higher numbered courses, are offered once per year in the semester indicated on the suggested curricula. For example, PHY 306  and PHY 361  are offered in the spring semester only. This suggested curriculum minimally meets the requirements for the B.S. in Physics.

*A total of 14 credit hours in math, computer science, chemistry, engineering or other areas related to physics but outside the department must be completed to satisfy the college requirement. One-hundred-level freshman courses may not be counted for the Major Requirements except for CS 115  which may be counted.

Freshman Year


Sophomore Year


First Semester


Second Semester


Junior Year


First Semester


Second Semester


Senior Year


First Semester


Second Semester


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