Undergraduate Curricula

Elective options

Engineering Physics

LAS Science and Letters

LAS Science and Letters Physics Curriculum

Degree title: BS in Liberal Arts and Sciences
Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours

The LAS Science and Letters Physics Curriculum is a flexible program for students who plan to pursue technical or professional careers in areas requiring a sound grounding in physical science and mathematics. Students can use the curriculum to prepare for employment immediately upon graduation or for continuing on to graduate study in a wide variety of fields. Students who are certain that they want to go on to graduate study in physics or in a closely allied field should also consider the LAS Specialized Curriculum in Physics. In some cases, however, the greater flexibility of the Science and Letters Curriculum may make it a better choice for graduate school preparation for those who want to pursue a combined major and minor, a double major or double degrees.

The Elective Technical or Professional Option is set of technical or professional courses addressing an intellectually coherent body of knowledge. At least 9 hours should be at the 200-level or higher. Required courses may not be included in the set. Students may select from a list of pre-approved options or design a custom option, subject to departmental approval. (Astrophysics, Bioengineering, Computational Physics, Earth Science, Environmental Science, Science Writing, or Pre-Med, Pre Law)

*Recommended but not required.

LAS Specialized Physics Curriculum

Degree title: BS in Liberal Arts and Sciences in Physics
Minimum hours required for graduation: 126 hours

The LAS Specialized Curriculum in Physics is designed for students who plan to pursue graduate study in physics or a closely allied field. However, students who want to pursue a combined major and minor, a double major, or a double degree should consider the LAS Science and Letters Curriculum in Physics because of the greater flexibility it offers.

*Recommended but not required.

LAS Physics Teaching Concentration

Degree title: BS Liberal Arts and Sciences
Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours

Completion of this concentration fulfills state certification requirements to teach both physics and general science. Certification in other areas can also be earned. In order to remain in good standing in this program and be recommended for certification, candidates are required to maintain Illinois, cumulative, content area, and professional education, grade-point averages of 2.5 (A= 4.0). Candidates should consult their advisor or the Council on Teacher Education for the list of courses used to compute these grade-point averages. http://www.ed.uiuc.edu/CTE

*Recommended but not required.

Engineering Physics Curriculum

Degree title: BS in Engineering Physics
Minimum hours required for graduation: 128 hours

The Engineering Physics Curriculum is a flexible program that combines a firm foundation in physics and mathematics with the freedom to choose from a diverse range of technical options. The curriculum is designed to prepare students for a wide variety of technical and professional careers, including graduate study in physics or a closely allied field.

Students in this curriculum take a common core consisting of physics, mathematics, and other technical courses. In addition, students choose an "option" no later than the end of the second semester of the sophomore year.

A technical or professional option of at least 12 hours of electives must be chosen. These courses address an intellectually coherent body of knowledge. Twelve hours must be at the 200-level or higher, with the exception of CHEM 102/103. Required courses may not also be used to satisfy the option requirements, the only exception is the Professional Physics option. Students may select from the following list of pre-approved options or design a custom option, subject to departmental approval. The current pre-approved options are: Professional Physics, Astrophysics, Bioengineering, Biophysics, Computational Physics, Materials Science, Optical Physics, and Physical Electronics. In addition, three hours of math must be chosen from a departmentally approved list. Any course satisfying the Mathematics Elective cannot be used to satisfy any other requirement.

*Recommended but not required.