Main Departmental Office
Physics Building, 110
P.O. Box 305370
Denton, TX 76203-5370
(940) 565-2626
Fax: (940) 565-2515
Professors Deering, Duggan, Golden, Grigolini, Kobe, Mackey, Matteson, McDaniel, Roberts, Sybert, West. Associate Professors Harrison, Hu, Kowalski, Littler, Mueller, Sears. Assistant Professors Ordonez, Perez, Shiner, Ward, Weathers.
The physics department trains students at the undergraduate and graduate levels to become professional physicists and provides a foundation in the fundamental physical principles necessary for effective work in other natural sciences, engineering, medicine, dentistry, technology, and elementary and secondary education, as well as a basis for a liberal arts degree with an analytical emphasis.
The department offers undergraduate and graduate programs in the following areas:
Substitutions in either the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science in Physics degree program may be made only with written consent of the department chair.
A minimum grade point average of 2.5 in all advanced courses in the sciences is required for graduation with a degree in physics.
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 technology assessmenta, investment analysisb, or medical sciencec.
BA with a Major in Physics (HTML)
Candidates for the Bachelor of Science must meet the following requirements.
1. Hours Required for the Degree: Completion of a minimum of 134 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.
4. Major Requirements: A major of at least 44 semester hours.
5. Minor Requirements: A minor of at least 18 hours, of which a minimum of 6 hours must be advanced, in a second department of the sciences.
6. Electives: See degree plan.
7. Other Course Requirements: MATH 1710, 1720, 2700, 2730 and 3410, plus 3 advanced hours numbered above 3200 (may not include 4960 and 4970); CHEM 1410-1420 and 1430-1440; and CSCI 1100 and 1110.
8. Other Requirements: It is recommended that the required foreign language be German, French or Russian. Students who wish to take some other language should consult the department.
DRED (Traffic Safety) courses may not be used to satisfy any portion of a degree in the College of Arts and Sciences.
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 should take PHYS 1710/1730, 2220/2240, and 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.
UNT Undergraduate Catalog College of Arts and Sciences Table of Contents
UNT Graduate Catalog College of Arts and Sciences Table of Contents
UNT Undergraduate Catalog Table of Contents
UNT Graduate Catalog Table of Contents
UNT Undergraduate Catalog Course and Subject Guide
UNT Graduate Catalog Course and Subject Guide