Physics

www.physics.uiuc.edu

This major in Physics in the Sciences and Letters Curriculum allows students maximum flexibility to develop scientifically oriented careers in fields requiring a physics background. The Department of Physics also sponsors the Specialized Curriculum in Physics and the Physics Teaching Concentration. See also Engineering Physics in the College of Engineering.

Major in Sciences and Letters Curriculum

Physics Concentration

E-mail: undergrad-info@physics.uiuc.edu

Degree title: Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts and Sciences

Minimum required major and supporting course work normally equates to 60-70 hours

General education: The LAS General Education requirements are set up so students automatically complete the Campus General Education requirements.

Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours

Departmental distinction: Graduation with distinction is awarded to students who complete 8 additional hours of 300- or 400- or 500-level physics courses or advanced courses in closely related technical subjects, and who have attained cumulative grade point averages as follows: distinction, 3.2; high distinction, 3.5; highest distinction, 3.8.

The LAS Science and Letters 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. Students in the curriculum must maintain an overall grade point average of at least 2.0 and also a grade point average of at least 2.0 in all required physics and mathematics courses. (A one semester grace period is allowed.) To be permitted to enroll in advanced physics courses in this concentration a student must maintain at least a 2.0 average in all attempts at science and mathematics courses taken at the University of Illinois.

Students in this curriculum must choose an approved elective technical or professional option no later than the end of the second semester of the sophomore year. A set of pre-approved options is available via the departmental web site and from the departmental undergraduate studies office. Students may also design and follow a "custom option" subject to departmental approval. Students completing the Astrophysics option will earn a minor in Astronomy, if appropriate Minor form is filed.

Entering freshmen typically take calculus, chemistry, rhetoric, and PHYS 110 during the first semester and begin the general physics sequence in the second semester. Students with advance placement in mathematics should begin the general physics sequence in the first semester. All students are strongly encouraged to take a Freshman Discovery Seminar sometime during the first year and plan ahead to allow space in their programs for undergraduate research.

Hours	Requirements
21-22	Fixed Physics Core
	PHYS 110–Careers in Physics
	PHYS 211–Univ Physics (Mechanics)
	PHYS 212–Univ Physics (Elec & Mag)
	PHYS 213–Univ Physics (Thermal Physics)
	PHYS 214–Univ Physics (Quantum Phys)
	PHYS 325–Mechanics and Relativity I
	PHYS 435–Electromagnetic Fields I
	PHYS 486–Quantum Mechanics I or PHYS 485–Atomic Phys & Quantum Theory
9-15	Flexible Physics Core
	Three courses including at least one course from List B
	A
	PHYS 326–Mechanics and Relativity II
	PHYS 436–Electromagnetic Fields II
	PHYS 427–Thermo & Statistical Physics
	PHYS 470–Subatomic Physics
	PHYS 487–Quantum Mechanics II
	PHYS 460–Condensed Matter Physics
	PHYS 402–Light
	B
	PHYS 401–Classical Physics Lab
	PHYS 403–Modern Experimental Physics
	PHYS 404–Electronic Circuits I
	PHYS 405–Electronic Circuits II
24-25	Supporting Technical Courses
	MATH 221–Calculus I¹
	MATH 231–Calculus II
	MATH 241 –Calculus III²
	MATH 380–Advanced Calculus³
	MATH 385–Intro Differential Equations or MATH 386–Intro to Differential Eq Plus
12	Elective Technical or Professional Option
	A set of technical or professional courses that addresses 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.

1.Math 220-Calculus (5 hours) may be substituted with four of the five credit hours applying toward the degree. MATH 220 is appropriate for students with no background in calculus.

2.MATH 242-Calculus of Several Variables (3 hours) will be offered for the last time for continuing students in Fall 2006. Students who have taken MATH 220 and 230 may complete the calculus sequence by taking MATH 242 in Fall 2006.

3.Curriculum under revision. Consult the Physics advisor before taking MATH 380. Credit is not given for both MATH 380 and MATH 241.

Twelve hours of 300- and 400-level courses in the major must be taken on this campus.

All foreign language requirements must be satisfied.

A Major Plan of Study Form must be completed and submitted to the LAS Student Affairs Office before the end of the fifth semester (60-75 hours). Please see your adviser.

Physics Teaching Concentration

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 UIUC, 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. www.ed.uiuc.edu/CTE

E-mail: tchopt@physics.uiuc.edu

Web address for department: www.physics.uiuc.edu

Degree title: Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts and Sciences

Minimum required course work normally equates to 64-68 hours

General education: Students must fulfill the LAS general education requirements. In addition, students must take one of the following speech performance courses: SPCM 101, 113, 120, 321, or 323 or THEA 210.

Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours

Departmental distinction: Distinction is determined by a combination of grade point average and achievement in student teaching. The student's practice teaching experience will be evaluated by the departmental honors adviser and the teaching supervisor. Distinction requires a 3.2 grade point average; high distinction, 3.4; highest distinction, 3.6. Students desiring distinction should consult with the departmental honors adviser during the junior year.

Prerequisites to transfer to the Teaching Concentration: EPSY 201; EPS 201; CHEM 102 and 103, or 202 and 203; MATH 220, 230, 242, 380 and 385; and PHYS 211, 212, 213, and 214 must be completed prior to transfer into the teaching concentration. Candidates must also pass the Illinois Certification Test of Basic Skills before they may be admitted to the program.

In addition to the requirements for the concentration listed below, students must complete the Teacher Education Minor in Secondary School Teaching (37 hours). See the College of Education section for requirements of the minor. Conferral of the degree of Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts and Sciences prior to completion of the minor requires approval by petition to the LAS Student Affairs Office. Ordinarily, all students will require 10 semesters to complete this program.

Hours	Requirements
22-23	Physics Core
	PHYS 110–Careers in Physics
	PHYS 211–Univ Physics, Mechanics
	PHYS 212–Univ Physics, Elec & Mag
	PHYS 213–Univ Physics, Thermal Physics
	PHYS 214–Univ Physics, Quantum Physics
	PHYS 325–Mechanics and Relativity I
	PHYS 435–Electromagnetic Fields I
	PHYS 485–Atomic Phys & Quantum Theory or PHYS 486–Quantum Mechanics I
9-15	Choose at least three courses from List A and List B below. At least one course must come from List B.
	A
	PHYS 326–Mechanics and Relativity II
	PHYS 436–Electromagnetic Fields II
	PHYS 427–Thermo & Statistical Phys
	PHYS 470–Subatomic Physics
	PHYS 487–Quantum Mechanics II
	PHYS 460–Condensed Matter Physics
	B
	PHYS 401–Classical Physics Lab
	PHYS 403–Modern Experimental Physics
	PHYS 404–Electronic Circuits I
	PHYS 405–Electronic Circuits II
	PHYS 402–Light
17-18	Supporting Technical Courses
	MATH 221–Calculus I¹, and
	MATH 231–Calculus II, and
	MATH 241–Calculus III²
	MATH 380–Advanced Calculus³
	MATH 385–Intro Differential Equations, or MATH 386–Intro to Differential Eq Plus
15	Additional Technical Courses
	4 hours select from:
	CHEM 102–General Chemistry I
	CHEM 103–General Chemistry Lab I
	or
	CHEM 202–Accelerated Chemistry I
	CHEM 203–Accelerated Chemistry Lab I
	4 hours IB 101–Biological Sciences
	4 hours select from:
	GEOL 101–Introductory Physical Geology
	GEOL 107–Physical Geology
	3 hours select from:
	ASTR 100–Perspectives in Astronomy
	ASTR 113–The Sky
	ASTR 210–General Astronomy

1.Math 220-Calculus (5 hours) may be substituted with four of the five credit hours applying toward the degree. MATH 220 is appropriate for students with no background in calculus.

3.Curriculum under revision. Consult the Physics advisor before taking MATH 380. Credit is not given for both MATH 380 and MATH 241.

Twelve hours of 300- and 400-level courses in the major must be taken on this campus.

All foreign language requirements must be satisfied.

A Major Plan of Study Form must be completed and submitted to the LAS Student Affairs Office before the end of the fifth semester (60-75 hours). Please see your adviser.

Specialized Curriculum in Physics

LAS Specialized Curriculum in Physics

Degree Title: Bachelor of Science in Physics

General Education: The LAS General Education requirements are set up so students automatically complete the Campus General Education requirements.

Minimum hours required for graduation: 126

Departmental distinction: Graduation with distinctions awarded to students who complete 8 additional hours of 300- or 400-level physics courses or advanced courses in closely related technical subjects and who have attained cumulative grade point averages as follows: distinction, 3.2; high distinction, 3.5; highest distinction, 3.8.

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. Students in the Specialized Curriculum beyond the freshman year must maintain an overall grade point average of at least 2.5 and also a grade point average of 2.5 in all required mathematics and physics courses. (A one semester grace period is allowed.)

Hours	Requirements
36	Fixed Physics Core
	PHYS 110–Careers in Physics
	PHYS 211–Univ Physics (Mechanics)
	PHYS 212–Univ Physics (Elec & Mag)
	PHYS 213–Univ Physics (Thermal Physics)
	PHYS 214–Univ Physics (Quantum Phys)
	PHYS 325–Mechanics and Relativity I
	PHYS 326–Mechanics and Relativity II
	PHYS 435–Electromagnetic Fields I
	PHYS 436–Electromagnetic Fields II
	PHYS 427–Thermo & Statistical Physics
	PHYS 486–Quantum Mechanics I
	PHYS 487–Quantum Mechanics II
3-5	Flexible Physics Core (Select one course from the list below)
	PHYS 401–Classical Physics Lab
	PHYS 403–Modern Experimental Physics
	PHYS 404–Electronic Circuits I
	PHYS 405–Electronic Circuits II
27-28	Supporting Technical Courses
	MATH 221–Calculus I¹
	MATH 231–Calculus II
	MATH 341–Calculus III²
	MATH 380–Advanced Calculus³
	MATH 385–Intro Differential Equations
	or
	MATH 386–Intro to Differential Eq Plus
	MATH 415–Linear Algebra
	CHEM 102–General Chemistry I
	CHEM 103–General Chemistry Lab I
	CS 101–Intro to Computing, Eng & Sci
15-35	Free Electives
	(No restrictions on these courses.)

1.Math 220-Calculus (5 hours) may be substituted with four of the five credit hours applying toward the degree. MATH 220 is appropriate for students with no background in calculus.

3.Curriculum under revision. Consult the Physics advisor before taking MATH 380. Credit is not given for both MATH 380 and MATH 241.

Teacher Education Minor in Physics

UNDER REVISION
Teacher education minors are available only to students seeking to add additional teaching fields to their teaching majors.

E-mail: tchopt@physics.uiuc.edu

Web address for department: www.physics.uiuc.edu

Hours	Requirements
12	PHYS 211–Univ Physics, Mechanics
	PHYS 212–Univ Physics, Elec & Mag
	PHYS 213–Univ Physics, Thermal Physics
	PHCS 214–Univ Physics, Quantum Phys
6	Physics courses beyond the 100 level, excluding PHYS 419
8	General chemistry
26	Total

Students are advised that additional course work is necessary to teach middle grades six through eight. Consult the certification officer at 505 East Green Suite 203 for additional information.