Main Departmental Office
Physics Building, 110
P.O. Box 311427
Denton, TX 76203-1427
(940) 565-2626
Fax: (940) 565-2515
E-mail: physics@unt.edu
Web site: www.phys.unt.edu
Professors Deering, Duggan, Golding, Grigolini, Holland, Hu, Kobe, Littler, Matteson, McDaniel, Mueller, Perez, Roberts. Associate Professors Harrison, Kowalski, Neogi, Ordonez, Quintanilla, Shiner, Weathers. Assistant Professor Fanelli, Krohkin.
From advancing state-of-the-art processes in the semiconductor industry to developing computer software for simulating exotic phenomena, physicists and engineering physicists are helping to expand the frontiers of both basic science and high technology. The diversity of work conducted by physicists and engineering physicists occurs because physical science and engineering disciplines are based, to a large extent, on physics principles. A bachelor's degree in physics or engineering physics also prepares students for graduate work in acoustics, astrophysics, biophysics, computational physics, medical physics and other subfields and interdisciplinary fields in physics.
The department offers the following undergraduate and graduate programs:
Undergraduate research opportunities are available for undergraduate students interested in physics and engineering physics. Students should consult the undergraduate adviser.
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.
1. Hours Required and General/College Requirements: A 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 " General University Requirements" in the Academics section of this catalog and the College of Arts and Sciences requirements.
2. Major Requirements: 27 hours in physics to include: PHYS 1710/1730 (or 1410/1430 and 1420/1440 or 1510/1530), 2220/2240 (or 1520/1540), 3010/3030; plus 15 more hours of advanced level physics courses. PHYS 2900, 2910, 4900 and 4910 may not count toward a bachelor's degree in physics.
3. Other Course Requirements: MATH 1710, 1720 and 2730; and CHEM 1410/1430 and 1420/1440.
4. Minor: Optional.
5. Electives: See four-year plan.
6. Other Requirements: 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 science and engineering courses is required for graduation with a degree in physics or engineering physics.
Bachelor of Science in Physics (pdf)
1. Hours Required and General/College Requirements: A minimum of 128 semester hours, of which 42 must be advanced, and fulfillment of degree requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree as specified in the " General University Requirements" in the Academics section of this catalog and the College of Arts and Sciences requirements (excluding foreign language and natural and life sciences).
2. Major Requirements:
Option I Required courses: Minimum of 50 hours in physics, including PHYS 1710/1730 (or 1410/1430 and 1420/1440 or 1510/1530 and 1520/1540), 2220/2240, 3010/3030, 3210, 3310, 3420, 4110, 4210, 4310 and 4950 (6 hours), plus 9 additional hours of advanced-level physics courses and 4 hours chosen from PHYS 1050/1051, 1060/1061 and 1251/1271. PHYS 2900, 2910, 4900 and 4910 may not count toward a bachelor's degree in physics.
Option II Required Courses: Minimum of 36 hours in physics, including PHYS 1710/1730 (or 1410/1430 and 1420/1440 or 1510/1530 and 1520/1540), 2220/2240, 3010/3030, 3210, 3310, 4110, 4210, 4310 and 4950 (6 hours), plus 3 additional hours of advanced-level physics courses. PHYS 2900, 2910, 4900 and 4910 may not count toward a bachelor's degree in physics.
3. Other Course Requirements: MATH 1710, 1720, 2700, 2730 and 3410; CHEM 1410/1430 and 1420/1440; and CSCI 1110.
4. Minor: A minor in engineering technology is required for Option II.
5. Electives: See four-year plan.
6. Other requirements: 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 science and engineering courses is required for graduation with a degree in physics or engineering physics.
Bachelor of Science in Engineering Physics (pdf)
1. Hours Required and General/College Requirements: A minimum of 130 semester hours, of which 42 must be advanced, and fulfillment of degree requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree as specified in the " General University Requirements" in the Academics section of this catalog and the College of Arts and Sciences requirements (excluding foreign language and natural and life sciences).
2. Major Requirements: At least 30 semester hours in physics to include: PHYS 1710/1730, 2220/2240, 3010/3030, 3210, 3310, 4110, 4210 and 4310; plus 3 hours of advanced-level physics courses and at least 30 hours of engineering technology to include: ENGR 2301, 2302, 2332, 2405; ELET 3970; plus 14 hours chosen from ELET 2720 and 2750, MEET 3650, 3660, 3940 and 4350, and MFET 2100, 3250, and 3450. PHYS 2900, 2910, 4900 and 4910 may not count toward a bachelor's degree in engineering physics.
3. 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.
4. Minor: Optional.
5. Electives: See four-year plan.
6. Other Requirements: 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 science and engineering courses is required for graduation with a degree in physics or engineering physics.
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 MATH 1710 may count this course as elective credit.
A minor in physics consists of a minimum of 18 hours of physics courses, including 10 advanced hours. PHYS 2900, 2910, 4900 and 4910 may not count toward a minor in physics.
The College of Arts and Sciences encourages students to explore teaching at the secondary level as a career option. The student's academic adviser in the Dean's Office for Undergraduates and Student Advising in GAB, Room 220, can assist students with specific requirements for teacher certification in Physical Science utilizing a physics major. Upon completion of this program, students will be prepared to sit for the certification examinations in Physical Science.
Requirements: PHYS 1510/1530, 1520/1540, 3010/3030, 4610/4630, 4700, and 9 hours in any upper-division physics courses (except 4900 and 4910); BIOL 1710/1730, 1720/1740; CHEM 1410/1430, 1420/1440; GEOG 1710, GEOL 4710. See major for additional course work and GPA requirements.
Students must also complete the required 21 hours in upper-level education courses (EDSE 3800, 3830, 4060, 4070, 4108, 4118, 4840) and meet all GPA requirements to apply for state certification. In order to enroll for the first required education course, the student must make application to the certification program in the College of Education in Matthews Hall, Room 105.
All state certification requirements and information on required examinations is available on the web site of the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC), www.sbec.state.tx.us.
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.
BA with a Major in Physics (pdf)
FRESHMAN YEAR
CHEM 1410, General Chemistry* 3CHEM 1430, Laboratory for General Chemistry* 1
ENGL 1310, College Writing I* 3
MATH 1710, Calculus I 4
PHYS 1710, Mechanics 3
PHYS 1730, Laboratory in Mechanics 1
Total 15
CHEM 1420, General Chemistry* 3CHEM 1440, Laboratory for General Chemistry* 1
ENGL 2700, Technical Writing* 3
MATH 1720, Calculus II 3
PHYS 2220, Electricity and Magnetism 3
PHYS 2240, Laboratory in Wave Motion, Electricity, Magnetism and Optics 1
Elective 3
Total 17
LANG 2040, Foreign Language (intermediate)** 3MATH 2730, Multivariable Calculus 3
PHYS 3010, Modern Physics 3
PHYS 3030, Laboratory in Modern Physics 1
Humanities* 3
Wellness* 3
Total 16
LANG 2050, Foreign Language (intermediate)** 3PHYS Elective (advanced) 3
Communication** 3
Elective 4
Literature** 3
Total 16
HIST 2610, United States History to 1865* 3PSCI 1040, American Government* 3
PHYS Elective (advanced) 3
Elective (advanced) 4
Visual and Performing Arts* 3
Total 16
HIST 2620, United States History Since 1865* 3PSCI 1050, American Government* 3
PHYS Elective (advanced) 3
Elective (advanced) 4
Social and Behavioral Sciences* 3
Total 16
PHYS Elective (advanced) 3Cross-cultural, Diversity and Global Studies* 3
Elective (advanced) 3
Elective (advanced) 3
Natural and Life Sciences** 4
Total 16
PHYS Elective (advanced) 3Actual degree plans may vary depending on availability of courses in a given semester. Some courses may require prerequisites not listed. Students may wish to use opportunities for electives to complete a minor of their choice or secondary education courses for teacher certification.Elective (advanced) 3
Elective (advanced) 3
Elective (advanced) 3
Elective 4
Total 16
BS in Physics (Option I) (pdf)
FRESHMAN YEAR
CHEM 1410, General Chemistry* 3CHEM 1430, Laboratory for General Chemistry* 1
ENGL 1310, College Writing I* 3
MATH 1710, Calculus I 4
PHYS 1710, Mechanics 3
PHYS 1730, Laboratory in Mechanics 1
Total 15
CHEM 1420, General Chemistry* 3CHEM 1440, Laboratory for General Chemistry* 1
MATH 1720, Calculus II 3
PHYS 2220, Electricity and Magnetism 3
PHYS 2240, Laboratory in Wave Motion, Electricity, Magnetism and Optics 1
Humanities* 3
Wellness* 3
Total 17
MATH 2700, Linear Algebra and Vector Geometry 3PHYS 1050, The Solar System, or PHYS 1060, Stars and the Universe, or PHYS 1251, Science and Technology of Musical Sound 3
PHYS 1051, The Solar Systems Observations Laboratory, or PHYS 1061, Stellar Systems Observations Laboratory, or PHYS 1271, Science and Technology of Musical Sound Laboratoy 1
PHYS 3010, Modern Physics 3
PHYS 3030, Laboratory in Modern Physics 1
PHYS 3420, Electronics 4
Communication** 3
Total 18
CSCI 1110, Program Development 4ENGL 2700, Technical Writing* 3
MATH 2730, Multivariable Calculus 3
PHYS 4210, Electricity and Magnetism 3
PHYS Elective (advanced) 3
Total 16
JUNIOR YEAR
HIST 2610, United States History to 1865* 3MATH 3410, Differential Equations I 3
PHYS 3210, Classical Mechanics 3
PHYS Elective (advanced) 3
Cross-cultural, Diversity and Global Studies* 3
Total 15
HIST 2620, United States History Since 1865* 3PHYS 3310, Mathematical Methods in Physical Sciences 3
PHYS 4110, Statistical and Thermal Physics 3
PHYS Elective (advanced) 3
Social and Behavioral Sciences* 3
Total 15
PHYS 4950, Senior Thesis 6PSCI 1040, American Government* 3
Elective 3
Elective (advanced) 1
Visual and Performing Arts* 3
Total 16
PHYS 4310, Quantum Mechanics 3Actual degree plans may vary depending on availability of courses in a given semester. Some courses may require prerequisites not listed. Students may wish to use opportunities for electives to complete a minor of their choice or secondary education courses for teacher certification.PSCI 1050, American Government* 3
Literature** 3
Elective 3
Elective 4
Total 16
FRESHMAN YEAR
CHEM 1410, General Chemistry* 3CHEM 1430, Laboratory for General Chemistry* 1
ENGL 1310, College Writing I* 3
MATH 1710, Calculus I 4
PHYS 1710, Mechanics 3
PHYS 1730, Laboratory in Mechanics 1
Total 15
CHEM 1420, General Chemistry* 3CHEM 1440, Laboratory for General Chemistry* 1
ENGL 2700, Technical Writing* 3
Communication** 3
MATH 1720, Calculus II 3
PHYS 2220, Electricity and Magnetism 3
PHYS 2240, Laboratory in Wave Motion, Electricity, Magnetism and Optics 1
Total 17
ENGR 2301, Statics 3ENGR 2332, Mechanics of Materials 3
MATH 2700, Linear Algebra and Vector Geometry 3
PHYS 3010, Modern Physics 3
PHYS 3030, Laboratory in Modern Physics I 1
Humanities* 3
Total 16
CSCI 1110, Program Development 4ENGR 2302, Dynamics 3
MATH 2730, Multivariable Calculus 3
PHYS 3310, Mathematical Methods in Physical Sciences 3
Literature** 3
Total 16
ENGR 2405, Fundamentals of Electrical Engineering 4HIST 2610, United States History to 1865* 3
MATH 3410, Differential Equations I 3
PHYS 3210, Mechanics 3
Cross-cultural, Diversity and Global Studies* 3
Total 16
ELET 3970, Electronic Devices and Controls 3HIST 2620, United States History Since 1865* 3
PHYS 4110, Statistical and Thermal Physics 3
ETEC Selection (advanced) 3
Social and Behavioral Sciences* 3
Wellness* 3
Total 18
PHYS 4210, Electricity and Magnetism 3PSCI 1040, American Government* 3
ETEC Selection (advanced) 3
ETEC Selection (advanced) 4
Visual and Performing Arts* 3
Total 16
PHYS 4310, Quantum Mechanics 3Actual degree plans may vary depending on availability of courses in a given semester. Some courses may require prerequisites not listed. Students may wish to use opportunities for electives to complete a minor of their choice or secondary education courses for teacher certification.PSCI 1050, American Government* 3
PHYS Elective (advanced) 3
ETEC Selection (advanced) 4
Elective (advance) 3
Total 16
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