Requirements: Required courses are 201, 202, 311, 321, 411, and 421. Three additional courses are selected in consultation with the department from other upper division courses. The senior project may consist of satisfactory performance on the Advanced Physics section of the Graduate Record Examination, successful completion of an internship or a sponsored Research Experience for Undergraduates, or a comprehensive examination given during the first term of the senior year. The contextual and support courses are Chemistry 111, 112, 312; and two courses chosen in consultation with the department from Chemistry 211, 212, 221, 313, 411, and 422; and Mathematics 321, 360, 440, 451, 453, and 473. The mathematics requirement is met by Mathematics 151, 152, 253, and 353. Teacher Preparation (B.A. or B.S.) Objective: To enable students to meet Virginia requirements for licensure to teach physics and, under certain circumstances, other related subjects. Departmental requirements: Except for the senior project and the support courses, teacher preparation students should complete the above requirements for the B.A. or the B.S. degree. Additional requirements and requirements for professional studies: Please see “Secondary Education 6-12, and Art, Music, Modern Language, and Physical Education PK-12” in the catalog section on Education. Minor in Physics A student may minor in physics by completing five courses or 18 semester hours as follows: 201, 202, 311, and two additional courses, both of which must be at the 300 or 400 level.
• Physics Courses
PHYS 100 Conceptual Physics Exploration of physical concepts, social and philosophical implications, utility and limitations of physics for solution of problems in the modern world. Not intended for potential science majors. Three lecture hours and two laboratory hours. Four semester hours. PHYS 101 Astronomy General introduction to the theories and techniques of astronomy. Three lecture hours and two laboratory hours. Four semester hours. PHYS 201 and 202 General Physics I and II Introduction to mechanics, heat, sound, electricity and magnetism, and optics. Workshop format, providing a background in basic physics for all science majors, including those interested in the health sciences. Pre/corequisite: Mathematics 151. Six laboratory/discussion hours. Four semester hours each. PHYS 285-288 Research Experience in Physics Hands-on research experience through assistance in faculty research or approved student-proposed projects. Prerequisites: 202 and permission of the faculty member directing the project. One semester hour per semester, for a total of four semesters. PHYS 311 Modern Physics Introduction to atomic and nuclear physics, quantum mechanics, and the theory of relativity. Laboratory experiments which form the foundation of the modern view
125