Mar 29, 2024  
2019-20 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2019-20 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Physics, Professional Physics Concentration, B.S.


Department of Physics and Astronomy  
615-898-2130
Ron Henderson, program coordinator
Ron.Henderson@mtsu.edu

All physics majors must choose to concentrate in Professional Physics, Physics Teaching, Applied Physics, or Astronomy. Each concentration specifies additional upper-division electives in physics and astronomy and other disciplines which vary by concentration. A minimum of 12 upper-division semester hours in the physics major must be taken at MTSU.

The Professional Physics concentration offers preparation for graduate work in physics, medical physics, astrophysics, or engineering. In addition to the physics common requirements, the following courses are required:

Academic Map


Following is a printable, suggested four-year schedule of courses:

Physics, Professional Physics, B.S., Academic Map   

Degree Requirements


General Education (41 hours)


General Education  requirements (shown in curricular listings below) include courses in Communication, History, Humanities and/or Fine Arts, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Social/Behavioral Sciences.

The following courses are required by the program and can satisfy the respective General Education requirement:

  • MATH 1910 (Math)
  • CHEM 1110/1111 (Nat Sci)
  • PHYS 2010/2011 or PHYS 2110/2111 (Nat Sci) (recommended)

Major Requirements (45 hours)


A 2.00 GPA is required for the Physics major.

Supporting Courses (20 hours)


Professional Physics: Astrophysics Track (11 hours)


The astrophysics track offers preparation for graduate work in astronomy or astrophysics. In addition to the physics common requirements and the Professional Physics concentration requirements, the following courses are recommended:

Professional Physics: Medical Physics Track (15 hours)


The medical physics track offers preparation for graduate work in medical physics and radiation oncology physics, eventually leading to a career as a medical physicist in a clinical or academic setting. In addition to the physics common requirements and the Professional Physics concentration requirements, the following courses are recommended:

Electives


  • To make 120 hours; at least 6 credit hours at 3000/4000 level

Total hours in program: 120


Curriculum: Physics, Professional Physics


Curricular listings include General Education  requirements in Communication, History, Humanities and/or Fine Arts, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Social/Behavioral Sciences categories.

Consult with a physics advisor for courses to take during the junior and senior years.

Freshman


Subtotal: 31 Hours


Subtotal: 26 Hours


Junior


Subtotal: 31-34 Hours


Subtotal: 31-34 Hours


NOTE:


*Offered every other year