Bachelor of Science, Major in Physics

This is an archived copy of the 2021-2022 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.shsu.edu.

Bachelor of Science, Major in Physics
Core Curriculum
Component Area I (Communication)6
Component Area II (Mathematics) 13
Component Area III (Life and Physical Science) 28
Component Area IV (Language, Philosophy, and Culture)3
Component Area V (Creative Arts)3
Component Area VI (U.S. History)6
Component Area VII (Political Science/Government)6
Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences)3
Component Area IX (Component Area Option)4
Degree Specific Requirements
BIOL 1411General Botany4
or GEOL 1403 Physical Geology
or PHYS 1404 Solar System Astronomy
BIOL 1413General Zoology4
or GEOL 1404 Historical Geology
or PHYS 1403 Stars & Galaxies
CHEM 1411General Chemistry I 24
CHEM 1412General Chemistry II 24
COSC 1436Programming Fundamentals I4
Advanced General elective7
MATH (Advanced) or Science (Advanced)6
Major Core
PHYS 1401Physics Boot Camp4
PHYS 1411Introduction To Physics I4
PHYS 1422Introduction To Physics II4
PHYS 3391
PHYS 3111
Modern Physics I
and Modern Physics Laboratory I
4
PHYS 3370
PHYS 4110
Intro To Theoretical Physics
and Adv Undergrad Laboratory I
4
PHYS 4366Intro Quantum Mechanics3
PHYS 4368Electricity And Magnetism3
PHYS 4370Classical Mechanics3
PHYS 4371Thermodynamcs & Statistcl Mech3
PHYS 4395Undergraduate Research3
Major
Advanced PHYS elective3
General Elective1
Minor (required)
MATH 1420Calculus I 14
MATH 1430Calculus II4
MATH 2440Calculus III4
MATH 3376Differential Equations3
MATH 3377Intro to Linear Alg & Matrics3
Total Hours120

A student may need preparatory work in mathematics or might be eligible for advanced placement, either of which necessitates adjustment of the schedule. Such a student should consult a member of the physics or mathematics faculty concerning his/her schedule.

First Year
FallHoursSpringHours
CHEM 141114CHEM 141214
ENGL 130123ENGL 130223
General Elective1MATH 14304
MATH 142034PHYS 14114
PHYS 14014 
 16 15
Second Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Component Area IV3COSC 14364
HIST 130143HIST 130243
MATH 24404PHYS 3370
PHYS 4110
4
PHYS 14224POLS 230653
POLS 230553 
 17 14
Third Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Component Area VIII3Component Area V3
Component Area IX3BIOL 1413, GEOL 1404, or PHYS 14034
BIOL 1411, GEOL 1403, or PHYS 14044MATH 33773
MATH 33763PHYS 43703
PHYS 31111 
PHYS 33913 
 17 13
Fourth Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Advanced General Elective3Advanced General Elective 4
Math or Science (Advanced)3Math or Science (Advanced)3
PHYS 43683PHYS 43663
PHYS 43713 PHYS Advanced Elective3
PHYS 43953 
 15 13
Total Hours: 120

A student may need preparatory work in mathematics or might be eligible for advanced placement, either of which necessitates adjustment of the schedule. Such a student should consult a member of the physics or mathematics faculty concerning his/her schedule.

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) marketable skills initiative is part of the state’s 60x30TX plan and was designed to help students articulate their skills to employers.  Marketable skills are those skills valued by employers and/or graduate programs that can be applied in a variety of work or education settings and may include interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skill areas.

The BS in Physics is designed to provide graduates with the following marketable skills:

  • Ability to creatively solve real-world problems.
  • Sophisticated understanding of applied mathematics.
  • Capacity to analyze and interpret complex data.
  • Quantitative understanding of mechanical, electrical, and thermal systems.
  • Model complex interactions with computer programming and technology.