Physics Program Tracks
In consultation with the academic advisor, each student will elect a set of technical or professional courses covering a cohesive body of knowledge. Each program track will add a minimum of twelve (12) hours to the physics core curriculum.
Students may select from a list of preapproved tracks or design a custom track subject to departmental approval. Physics courses used to satisfy the Flexible Physics Core Electives and Physics Lab Electives may not be used to satisfy the track requirements, with the exception of the Graduate Study Track.
Astrophysics Track
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ASTR 210 | Introduction to Astrophysics | 3 |
| ASTR 404 | Stellar Astrophysics | 3 |
| ASTR 350 | The Big Bang, Black Holes, and the End of the Universe | 3 |
| OR ASTR 406 | Galaxies and the Universe | 3 |
| ASTR 405 | Planetary Systems | 3 |
| ASTR 414 | Astronomical Techniques | 4 |
| Total: | 15-16 hours |
Business Track
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| TE 100 | Intro to Innovation, Leadership and Engineering Entrepreneurship | 1 |
| TE 360 | Lectures in Engineering Entrepreneurship | 1 |
| SE 400 | Engineering Law | 3 |
| Choose at least 8 hours from the following: | ||
| TE 333 | Creativity, Innovation, Vision | 4 |
| TE 461 | Technology Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| TE 450 | Startups: Inc, Fund, Contracts, IP | 3 |
| TE 466 | High-Tech Venture Marketing | 2 |
| ENG 471 | Seminar Energy & Sustain Engineering | 1 |
| IE 420 | Financial Engineering | 3 |
| Total: | 16 hours |
Computational Physics Track
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CS 173 | Discrete Structures | 3 |
| OR MATH 213 | Basic Discrete Structures | 3 |
| CS 225 | Data Structures | 4 |
| Choose 3 classes from the following: | ||
| CS 357 | Numerical Methods I | 3 |
| CS 420 | Parallel Programming: Sci & Engr | 3 |
| CS 418 | Interactive Computer Graphics | 3 |
| CS 450 | Numerical Analysis | 3 |
| PHYS 298 OWL | Computational Physics | 2 |
| PHYS 498 CMP | Computation in Physics | 3 |
| Total: | 16 hours |
Graduate Study Track
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 257 | Linear Algebra with Computational Applications | 3 |
| PHYS 326 | Classical Mechanics II | 3 |
| PHYS 436 | Electromagnetic Fields II | 3 |
| PHYS 427 | Thermal & Statistical Physics | 4 |
| PHYS 487 | Quantum Mechanics II | 4 |
| Choose 1 lab from the following (cannot count toward Flexible Physics Core): | ||
| PHYS 401 | Classical Physics Lab | 3 |
| PHYS 402 | Light | 4 |
| PHYS 403 | Modern Experimental Physics | 5 |
| PHYS 404 | Electronic Circuits | 5 |
| Total: | 24-26 hours |
Nuclear Physics
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PHYS 470 | Subatomic Physics | 4 |
| NPRE 402 | Nuclear Power Engineering | 3 |
| Choose 2 classes from the following: | ||
| NPRE 446 |
Radiation Interaction with Matter I Note: NPRE 446 is being phased out starting Fall 2022. Students interested in the Nuclear Physics track are encouraged to take NPRE 445 instead of NPRE 446. |
3 |
| NPRE 435 | Radiological Imaging | 3 |
| NPRE 441 | Radiation Protection | 4 |
| Total: | 13-14 hours |
Student-Customized Tracks
Student-customized tracks are developed in consultation with the undergraduate academic advisor. Students interested in a customized track should discuss the options during their mandatory advising appointment(s). Customized tracks are subject to departmental approval.
Secondary Education, Pre-Med, or Pre-Law Tracks
Students interested in Secondary Education (high school), Pre-Med, or Pre-Law Tracks can find more information about these programs here.