Liberal Arts and Sciences: CURRICULUM IN PHYSICS

NOTE: This document was generated from the 1995-1997 UIUC Programs of Study. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, but be advised that requirements may have changed since this book was published. Errors may have also been introduced in the conversion to a WWW document. Thus for items of importance, it might be wise to seek confirmation from either the paper version or a live human being.

For the Degree of Bachelor of Science in Physics

The curriculum in physics is recommended for students who plan to enter graduate study in physics or who wish to enter government or industrial laboratory research positions upon attaining the bachelor's degree (see also the curriculum in engineering physics, the LAS major in physics, and the LAS curriculum in the teaching of physics).

A minimum of 126 hours of credit is required for graduation. To be permitted to register in advanced physics or mathematics courses in this curriculum, a student must have a grade-point average of at least 3.5 (A = 5.0) in all subjects excluding military science and also a grade-point average of at least 3.5 in all 100- and 200-level courses in mathematics and physics and a separate grade-point average of at least 3.5 for all 300-level courses in mathematics and physics. The grade-point average for 300-level courses must include at least two physics courses to be considered.

Entering freshmen normally take mathematics, chemistry, a foreign language, and either rhetoric or an elective in the first semester and begin physics in the second semester. Entering freshmen are expected to enroll for the fall term in PHYCS 100 (under development as PHYCS 199B) where they will meet with other physics majors. learn about the University, and explore physics as a profession. Students with advanced placement in mathematics should start physics in the first semester. Suggested four-year schedules are available in the physics undergraduate records office.

CHEM 101 and CHEM 102 ( CHEM 107, CHEM 108, CHEM 109, and CHEM 110 may be substituted by students who desire a more rigorous sequence)

HOURS REQUIREMENTS

20 MATH 120, MATH 130, and MATH 242; or equivalent; and MATH 280, MATH 285 and MATH 315 (students with insufficient background may need to take MATH 116 before MATH 120, but will receive no credit toward the degree by doing so)
39 see footnote 1 PHYCS 106, PHYCS 107, PHYCS 108, PHYCS 225, PHYCS 301, PHYCS 326, PHYCS 335, PHYCS 336, PHYCS 386, PHYCS 387, and one course chosen from PHYCS 303, PHYCS 343, PHYCS 361, PHYCS 365, PHYCS 371, PHYCS 382, 389
4-7 RHET 105 or RHET 108 and an approved Composition II course
18 General education (five courses chosen to meet the Area I general education requirements of the science and letters curriculum, and one Area II course from either biological science or behavioral science)
16 Foreign language (A reading knowledge of a modern foreign language; German, French, or Russian is recommended. See the sciences and letters curriculum foreign language requirement for ways in which this requirement may be satisfied.)
18-21 Free electives (students are advised to include 6 to 8 hours of physics, 3 to 6 hours of mathematics and at least 3 hours of computer science among their electives)
126 Total

HOURS	REQUIREMENTS
20	MATH 120, MATH 130, and MATH 242; or equivalent; and MATH 280, MATH 285 and MATH 315 (students with insufficient background may need to take MATH 116 before MATH 120, but will receive no credit toward the degree by doing so)
39 see footnote 1	PHYCS 106, PHYCS 107, PHYCS 108, PHYCS 225, PHYCS 301, PHYCS 326, PHYCS 335, PHYCS 336, PHYCS 386, PHYCS 387, and one course chosen from PHYCS 303, PHYCS 343, PHYCS 361, PHYCS 365, PHYCS 371, PHYCS 382, 389
4-7	RHET 105 or RHET 108 and an approved Composition II course
18	General education (five courses chosen to meet the Area I general education requirements of the science and letters curriculum, and one Area II course from either biological science or behavioral science)
16	Foreign language (A reading knowledge of a modern foreign language; German, French, or Russian is recommended. See the sciences and letters curriculum foreign language requirement for ways in which this requirement may be satisfied.)
18-21	Free electives (students are advised to include 6 to 8 hours of physics, 3 to 6 hours of mathematics and at least 3 hours of computer science among their electives)
126	Total

Departmental Distinction. Graduation with distinction is awarded to students who complete 8 additional hours of 300- or 400-level physics courses or advanced courses in closely related technical subjects, such as nuclear engineering, solid-state electronics, astrophysics and who have attained cumulative grade-point averages as follows: distinction, 4.2; high distinction, 4.5; highest distinction, 4.8.

Footnotes: 1. This statement reflects revisions of the minor pending final approval at time of publication.

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