The Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics and geophysics is designed to provide a thorough foundation in the field of physics, considerable background in the geological sciences and mathematics, and a balanced program in the liberal arts. The degree program is designed for those with an interest in graduate study in the geological sciences or employment in the environmental or energy sector.

A Bachelor of Science degree in Geophysics is also available and is administered by the Department of Geological Sciences. For additional information, refer to the Department of Geological Sciences section of this catalog.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Physics and Geophysics

1. The University requirements for bachelor’s degrees as described in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog; 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Science in Physics and Geophysics.
   
   The University’s Tier II writing requirement for the Physics and Geophysics major is met by completing Physics 431, 440, and 451. Those courses are referenced in item 3. b. (1) below.
   
   Students who are enrolled in the College of Natural Science may complete the alternative track to Integrative Studies in Biological and Physical Sciences that is described in item 1. under the heading Graduation Requirements in the College statement. Certain courses referenced in requirement 3. below may be used to satisfy the alternative track.
2. The requirements of the College of Natural Science for the Bachelor of Science degree.
   
   The credits earned in certain courses referenced in requirement 3. below may be counted toward College requirements as appropriate.
3. The following requirements for the major:

   a.	The following courses outside the Department of Physics or Astronomy (44 or 45 credits):
   	(1)	One of the following courses (3 or 4 credits):
   		BS	110	Organisms and Populations			4
   		BS	111	Cells and Molecules			3
   		ENT	205	Pests, Society and Environment			3
   		MMG	205	Allied Health Microbiology			3
   		PLB	105	Plant Biology			3
   		PSL	250	Introductory Physiology			4
   		ZOL	141	Introductory Human Genetics			3
   	(2)	One of the following pairs of courses (7 credits):
   		(a)	CEM	141	General Chemistry		4
   			CEM	142	General and Inorganic Chemistry		3
   		(b)	CEM	151	General and Descriptive Chemistry		4
   			CEM	152	Principles of Chemistry		3
   	(3)	All of the following courses (15 credits):
   		CEM	161	Chemistry Laboratory I			1
   		MTH	132	Calculus I			3
   		MTH	133	Calculus II			4
   		MTH	234	Multivariable Calculus			4
   		MTH	235	Differential Equations			3
   	(4)	All of the following courses in the Department of Geological Sciences (19 credits):
   		GLG	201	The Dynamic Earth			4
   		GLG	304	Physical and Biological History of the Earth			4
   		GLG	411	Hydrogeology			4
   		GLG	470	Principles of Modern Geophysics			3
   		GLG	471	Applied Geophysics			4
   b.	The following courses in the Department of Physics and Astronomy (33 to 35 credits):
   	(1)	All of the following courses (27 credits):
   		PHY	191	Physics Laboratory for Scientists, I			1
   		PHY	192	Physics Laboratory for Scientists, II			1
   		PHY	215	Thermodynamics and Modern Physics			3
   		PHY	321	Classical Mechanics I			3
   		PHY	410	Thermal and Statistical Physics			3
   		PHY	431	Optics I			3
   		PHY	440	Electronics			4
   		PHY	451	Advanced Laboratory			3
   		PHY	471	Quantum Physics I			3
   		PHY	481	Electricity and Magnetism I			3
   	(2)	One of the following courses (3 or 4 credits):
   		PHY	183	Physics for Scientists and Engineers I			4
   		PHY	193H	Honors Physics I-Mechanics			3
   	(3)	One of the following courses (3 or 4 credits):
   		PHY	184	Physics for Scientists and Engineers II			4
   		PHY	294H	Honors Physics II-Electromagnetism			3
   		The completion of Geological Sciences 470 and 471, or Physics 390 and 490, fulfills the department’s capstone course requirement.