Mar 28, 2024  
2020-21 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2020-21 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Physics, Astronomy 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 physics core consists of 25 semester hours of physics and astronomy. Other requirements include 8 semester hours of chemistry and 8 semester hours of mathematics.

The Astronomy concentration is designed for students interested in a degree specializing in astronomy, but who do not plan to attend graduate school in astronomy or astrophysics. 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, Astronomy, B.S., Academic Map  

Degree Requirements


General Education 41 hours
Major Requirements 36 hours*
     Major Core    25 hours
     Astronomy Concentration    11 hours
Supporting Courses 23 hours*
Electives 20-31 hours
TOTAL 120 hours

*This program requires courses that can also fulfill requirements of the General Education curriculum. If program requirements are also used to fulfill General Education requirements, the number of elective hours will increase. 

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 required by the program meet General Education requirements:

Major Requirements (36 hours)


A 2.00 GPA is required in the Physics major.

Supporting Courses (23 hours)


Electives (20-31 hours)


  • At least 19 credit hours at 3000/4000 level

Curriculum: Physics, Astronomy


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

Subtotal: 31 Hours


Subtotal: 29 Hours


Junior


Subtotal: 32 Hours


Senior


Subtotal: 28 Hours