Mar 28, 2024  
2022-2023 Undergraduate Bulletin 
    
2022-2023 Undergraduate Bulletin [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Physics, B.A.


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120 hours (minimum)

Any student earning a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree must complete a minimum of 39 hours at the 300+ level. These hours are generally completed by the Major Requirements. However, keep this hour requirement in mind as you choose your course work for the requirements in the major. See the complete description of College requirements for a Bachelor of Arts degree .

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: 6


c. Humanities: 6


III. Laboratory or Field Work


(completed by Premajor Requirement)

IV. Race and Ethnicity Requirement: 0-3


V. Electives: 6


College Requirement hours: 18-35


Premajor Requirements


*Course used towards completion of a UK Core Requirement.

Premajor hours: 28


Major Requirements


Major Core Requirements


Major Core hours: 21


Other Course Work Required for the Major


From Outside the Major Department


  • Choose 13-16 hours outside Physics at the 300+ 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): 13-16

Other Major hours: 13-16


Total Minimum Hours Required for Degree: 121


Suggested Curriculum for B.A. in Physics


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.A. 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. A total of 42 hours in physics and related areas must be taken to satisfy the major requirement.

**The Bachelor of Arts requires the completion of six hours in humanities and social sciences as a college requirement. It also requires the completion of 39 hours at or above the 300 level.

Freshman Year


First Semester


Second Semester


Sophomore Year


First Semester


Second Semester


Junior Year


First Semester


Second Semester


Senior Year


First Semester


  • PHY 3XX Credit(s): 3
  • PHY 4XX Credit(s): 3
  • Social Sciences 300+ Credit(s): 3 **
  • Major Related Electives Credit(s): 3
  • Electives Credit(s): 3

Second Semester


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