Bachelor of Science in Physics
The undergraduate physics program provides an excellent preparation for graduate study in physics, as well as strong background for success in other professions, including law (patent and intellectual property), health physics, business, entrepreneurship, medicine, and research in other areas of science. The rigorous interdisciplinary nature of the program prepares graduates with an understanding of how physics is interrelated with biology, chemistry, computational sciences, and engineering. Graduates also are prepared for immediate entry into positions in industrial, medical, and other research laboratories, and for graduate study in areas such as biophysics, condensed matter 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 | Gen Physics II: Elect&Magntism | 4 |
| PHYS 223 | General Physics III | 4 |
| PHYS 240 | Computational Science | 3 |
| PHYS 300 | Instrumentation Lab | 4 |
| PHYS 301 | Math Methods of Physics | 3 |
| PHYS 304 | Thermodynmics&Statistical Phys | 3 |
| PHYS 308 | Classical Mechanics I | 3 |
| PHYS 309 | Classical Mechanics II | 3 |
| PHYS 348 | Modern Physics for Scntst&Engr | 3 |
| PHYS 405 | Fndmntls of Quantum Theory I | 3 |
| PHYS 406 | Fndmntls of Quantum Theory II | 3 |
| PHYS 413 | Electromagnetism I | 3 |
| PHYS 414 | Electromagnetism II | 3 |
| PHYS 427 | Advanced Physics Lab 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 & Vector Calculus | 4 |
| MATH 252 | Introduction to Diff Equations | 4 |
| Mathematics Elective | (3) | |
| Select three credit hours | 3 | |
| Chemistry Requirements | (8) | |
| CHEM 124 | Princ of Chemistry I with Lab | 4 |
| CHEM 125 | Prin of Chemistry II w/Lab | 4 |
| Computer Science Requirement | (2) | |
| CS 105 | Intro to Computer Programming | 2 |
| or CS 115 | Object-Oriented Programming I | |
| Humanities and Social Science Requirements | (21) | |
| See Illinois Tech Core Curriculum, sections B and C | 21 | |
| Interprofessional Projects (IPRO) | (6) | |
| See Illinois Tech 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 | Humanities or Social Sciences Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 16 | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | Credit Hours | Semester 2 | Credit Hours |
| PHYS 223 | 4 | PHYS 240 | 3 |
| MATH 251 | 4 | PHYS 348 | 3 |
| CS 105 or 115 | 2 | MATH 252 | 4 |
| Social Sciences Elective | 3 | Social Sciences Elective (300+) | 3 |
| Humanities 200-level Course | 3 | Social Sciences Elective (300+) | 3 |
| 16 | 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 | |||
