Physics, Astronomy Concentration, B.S.

All physics majors must choose to concentrate in Professional Physics, Physics Teaching, 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 24 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:

Required Courses

ASTR 1031 - Observing the Universe 1 credit hour
ASTR 2030 - Solar System Astronomy 3 credit hours
ASTR 2040 - Stars, Galaxies, and Cosmology 3 credit hours
ASTR 3400 - Fundamentals of Astrophysics 3 credit hours
ASTR 3401 - Experimental Astronomy 1 credit hour

Supporting Courses Required

MATH 3120 - Differential Equations I 3 credit hours
PHYS 3150 - Topics and Methods of Theoretical Physics I 3 credit hours

Physics Common Requirements

The common requirements required of ALL Physics majors consist of

Physics Core (24 hours)

PHYS 2010 - Non-Calculus-Based Physics I 0 credit hours AND
PHYS 2011 - Physics Problems Laboratory I 4 credit hours
OR
PHYS 2110 - Calculus-Based Physics I 0 credit hours AND
PHYS 2111 - Calculus-Based Physics Laboratory I 4 credit hours
PHYS 2020 - Non-Calculus-Based Physics II 0 credit hours AND
PHYS 2021 - Physics Problems Laboratory II 4 credit hours
OR
PHYS 2120 - Calculus-Based Physics II 3 credit hours AND
PHYS 2121 - Calculus-Based Physics Laboratory II 1 credit hour
PHYS 3100 - Modern Physics I 3 credit hours *
PHYS 3110 - Modern Physics II 3 credit hours *
PHYS 3111 - Modern Physics Laboratory 1 credit hour
PHYS 3610 - Thermodynamics 3 credit hours *
PHYS 3800 - Physics Seminar 1 credit hour
PHYS 3900 - Physics Practicum 1 credit hour
PHYS 4850 - Physics Research 2 credit hours OR
ASTR 4850 - Astronomy Research 2 credit hours
PHYS 4900 - Physics Senior Thesis 2 credit hours OR
ASTR 4900 - Astronomy Senior Thesis 2 credit hours

Note:

* PHYS 3070 , PHYS 3080 , and PHYS 3510 can be substituted for PHYS 3100 , PHYS 3110 , and PHYS 3610 respectively for students in the Physics Teaching or Astronomy concentrations. These substitutions are not allowed for the Professional Physics concentration.

Other Requirements (16 hours)

CHEM 1110 - General Chemistry I 4 credit hours AND
CHEM 1111 - General Chemistry I Lab 0 credit hours
CHEM 1120 - General Chemistry II 4 credit hours AND
CHEM 1121 - General Chemistry II Lab 0 credit hours
MATH 1910 - Calculus I 4 credit hours
MATH 1920 - Calculus II 4 credit hours

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.

Freshman

PHYS 2010 - Non-Calculus-Based Physics I 0 credit hours
PHYS 2011 - Physics Problems Laboratory I 4 credit hours
PHYS 2020 - Non-Calculus-Based Physics II 0 credit hours
PHYS 2021 - Physics Problems Laboratory II 4 credit hours
MATH 1910 - Calculus I 4 credit hours (Math)
MATH 1920 - Calculus II 4 credit hours
CHEM 1110 - General Chemistry I 4 credit hours (Nat Sci)
CHEM 1111 - General Chemistry I Lab 0 credit hours (Nat Sci)
CHEM 1120 - General Chemistry II 4 credit hours
CHEM 1121 - General Chemistry II Lab 0 credit hours
ENGL 1010 - Expository Writing 3 credit hours (Comm)
ENGL 1020 - Research and Argumentative Writing 3 credit hours (Comm)

Subtotal: 30 Hours

Sophomore

PHYS 3070 - Concepts in Modern Physics I 3 credit hours
PHYS 3080 - Concepts in Modern Physics II 3 credit hours
MATH 2050 - Probability and Statistics 3 credit hours
MATH 3120 - Differential Equations I 3 credit hours
COMM 2200 - Fundamentals of Communication 3 credit hours (Comm)
Electives 9 credit hours
Choose 6 hours from:
HIST 2010 - Survey of United States History I 3 credit hours OR
HIST 2020 - Survey of United States History II 3 credit hours OR
HIST 2030 - Tennessee History 3 credit hours

Physics, Astronomy Concentration, B.S.

Required Courses

Supporting Courses Required

Physics Common Requirements

Physics Core (24 hours)

Note:

Other Requirements (16 hours)

Curriculum: Physics, Astronomy

Freshman

Subtotal: 30 Hours

Sophomore

Subtotal: 30 Hours

Junior

Subtotal: 30 Hours

Senior

Subtotal: 30 Hours

Total hours in program: 120