Bachelor of Science in Physics
The undergraduate physics program provides an excellent preparation for a number of professions including law (patent and intellectual property), health physics, business, medicine, or research. The rigorous interdisciplinary nature of the program prepares graduates with a greater understanding of how physics is interrelated with biology and chemistry. Graduates are also prepared for immediate entry into positions in industrial, medical, and other research laboratories and for graduate study in areas such as biophysics, solid state physics, or high energy physics.
Required Courses
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Physics Requirements | (56) | |
| PHYS 100 | Intro to the Profession | 2 |
| PHYS 123 | General Physics I: Mechanics | 4 |
| PHYS 221 | General Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism | 4 |
| PHYS 223 | General Physics III | 4 |
| PHYS 240 | Computational Science | 3 |
| PHYS 300 | Instrumentation Laboratory | 4 |
| PHYS 301 | Mathematical Methods of Physics | 3 |
| PHYS 304 | Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics | 3 |
| PHYS 308 | Classical Mechanics I | 3 |
| PHYS 309 | Classical Mechanics II | 3 |
| PHYS 348 | Modern Physics for Scientists and Engineers | 3 |
| PHYS 405 | Fundamentals of Quantum Theory I | 3 |
| PHYS 406 | Fundamentals of Quantum Theory II | 3 |
| PHYS 413 | Electromagnetism I | 3 |
| PHYS 414 | Electromagnetism II | 3 |
| PHYS 427 | Advanced Physics Laboratory I | 3 |
| PHYS 440 | Computational Physics | 3 |
| PHYS 485 | Physics Colloquium | 1 |
| PHYS 485 | Physics Colloquium | 1 |
| Mathematics Requirements | (18) | |
| MATH 151 | Calculus I | 5 |
| MATH 152 | Calculus II | 5 |
| MATH 251 | Multivariate and Vector Calculus | 4 |
| MATH 252 | Introduction to Differential Equations | 4 |
| Mathematics Elective | (3) | |
| Select 3 credit hours | 3 | |
| Chemistry Requirements | (8) | |
| CHEM 124 | Principles of Chemistry I with Laboratory | 4 |
| CHEM 125 | Principles of Chemistry II with Laboratory | 4 |
| Computer Science Requirement | (2) | |
| CS 105 | Introduction to Computer Programming | 2 |
| or CS 115 | Object-Oriented Programming I | |
| Humanities and Social Science Requirements | (21) | |
| See IIT Core Curriculum, sections B and C | 21 | |
| Interprofessional Projects (IPRO) | (6) | |
| See IIT Core Curriculum, section E | 6 | |
| Free Electives | (12) | |
| Select 12 credit hours | 12 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 126 | |
Bachelor of Science in Physics Curriculum
| Year 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Credit Hours | Semester 2 | Credit Hours |
| PHYS 100 | 2 | PHYS 221 | 4 |
| PHYS 123 | 4 | CHEM 125 | 4 |
| CHEM 124 | 4 | MATH 152 | 5 |
| MATH 151 | 5 | CS 105 or 115 | 2 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | Credit Hours | Semester 2 | Credit Hours |
| PHYS 223 | 4 | PHYS 240 | 3 |
| MATH 251 | 4 | PHYS 348 | 3 |
| Social Sciences Elective | 3 | MATH 252 | 4 |
| Humanities or Social Sciences Elective | 3 | Social Sciences Elective (300+) | 3 |
| Humanities 200-level Course | 3 | Social Sciences Elective (300+) | 3 |
| 17 | 16 | ||
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | Credit Hours | Semester 2 | Credit Hours |
| PHYS 300 | 4 | PHYS 304 | 3 |
| PHYS 301 | 3 | PHYS 309 | 3 |
| PHYS 308 | 3 | PHYS 406 | 3 |
| PHYS 405 | 3 | IPRO Elective I | 3 |
| Humanities Elective (300+) | 3 | Free Elective | 3 |
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Year 4 | |||
| Semester 1 | Credit Hours | Semester 2 | Credit Hours |
| PHYS 413 | 3 | PHYS 414 | 3 |
| PHYS 427 | 3 | PHYS 440 | 3 |
| PHYS 485 | 1 | PHYS 485 | 1 |
| IPRO Elective II | 3 | Math Elective, 300-level or above | 3 |
| Humanities Elective (300+) | 3 | Free Elective | 3 |
| Free Elective | 3 | Free Elective | 3 |
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Total Credit Hours: 126 | |||
