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    Columbia Campus
   
 
  Apr 18, 2025
 
2010-2011 Undergraduate Studies Bulletin (Frozen) 
  
2010-2011 Undergraduate Studies Bulletin (Frozen) [Archived Catalog]

Physics, B.S.


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Learning Outcomes Department of Physics and Astronomy 
Curriculum College of Arts and Sciences 

Learning Outcomes


  • Students will demonstrate an understanding of the physical phenomena and the use of scientific methods and theories.
  • Students will demonstrate their ability to communicate effectively through written reports, which exhibit their ability to comprehend, analyze, and interrogate critically.
  • Students will demonstrate effective use of computers and other technology.

Curriculum


Basic Degree Requirements for Majors in Curricula Section II (128 Hours)

  1. General Education Requirements
  2. Major
  3. Cognate or Minor Requirements
  4. Electives

1. General Education Requirements - Curricula II


Group I–Competency (12-21 Hours)


Students are encouraged to demonstrate the level of accomplishment represented by Group I courses by means of advanced placement examinations. See the section on advanced placement under “Admissions Policies and Procedures .”

Writing (6 Hours)


Must be passed with grade of C or better.

Foreign Languages (0-9 Hours)


Demonstration of proficiency in one foreign language equivalent to the minimal passing grade on the exit examination in the 122 course is required for all baccalaureate degrees.

It is strongly recommended that students continuing the study of a foreign language begin college-level study of that language in their first semester and continue in that language until their particular foreign language requirement is completed.

History (6 Hours)


  • Two courses in History (HIST), at the 100 level, at least one non-U.S. history.

Group II–Quantitative (A Minimum of 12 Hours)


Group III–Humanities (6 Hours)


Each student must pass at least 6 additional hours of study in the humanities; at least one course must be in fine arts.

Fine Arts


A course or courses dealing with the study and/or practice of the visual and performing arts. Students may take courses in art studio, art design, art history and appreciation, film, media arts, music history and appreciation, music theory and performance, theatre history and appreciation, acting, stagecraft, theatre design, and dance to fulfill this requirement. Courses in speech (SPCH) do NOT satisfy the fine arts requirement. Theatre production laboratories (THEA 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 219, 220, 221), one-hour credits for participation in music organizations (band, chorus, orchestra), and MART 302 do NOT apply to the fine arts requirement or to the humanities requirement.

Humanities


African American Studies (AFRO)
Classical Studies (CLAS) 230 
English (ENGL) 280 or higher, excluding 450, 460, 461, 462, and 463
Foreign Language 201 or higher
History (HIST) 201 or higher
Philosophy (PHIL) excluding 110, 111, and 511
Religious Studies (RELG)
Women and Gender Studies (WGST) 111 

 

Group IV–Social Sciences (6 Hours)


Complete 6 hours from the following:

Anthropology (ANTH)
Criminology and Criminal Justice (CRJU)
Economics (ECON)
Geography (GEOG)
Political Science (POLI)
Psychology (PSYC)
excluding 227, 594, and 599
Sociology (SOCY) excluding 220
Women and Gender Studies (WGST) 112  only
 

Group V–Laboratory Science (8 Hours)


Complete two 4-credit hour laboratory science courses from the following:

Astronomy (ASTR) 111 , 111A , 211 , 211A 
Biology (BIOL) 101 1, 102 1, 110 2, 200 2, 200L 2, 270 2, 270L 2, 243 2, 243L 2, 244 2, 244L 2
Chemistry (CHEM) 102 3, 105 3, 105L3, 106 3, and 106L 3, 111 , 112 
Environmental Studies (ENVR) 200 
Geological sciences (GEOL) 101 , 102 , 103 , 105
Marine science (MSCI) 210 , 210L , 215 , 215L 
Physics (PHYS) 151 4, 151L 4, 153 4, 153L 4, 155 4, 155L 4, 201 , 201L , 202 , 202L ; or 211 , 211L , 212 , 212L 

1 Biology and Pre-Med majors only
2 Non- Biology majors only
3 Mathematics and Statistics majors only
4 Non-Physics majors only

2. Major


Major Prerequisites


The following courses fulfill some of the general education requirements and some cognates and must be completed for a major in physics:

Note:


A grade of C or higher is required in all physics, mathematics, and engineering courses.

Major Requirements


General Major (30-32 hours)


Intensive Major (36-40 Hours)


 Select two courses from PHYS 500 and above in addition to the General Physics requirement.

Intensive Major (Biophysics Concentration)


Research Option (44 Hours)


 Select one option from the following:

Premedical Option (44-45 Hours)


Applied Major (Engineering Physics Concentration)


Computer Option (50-51 Hours)


 Select one option from the following:

Electrical Option (54-57 hours)


Mechanical Option (55-57 hours)


3. Cognates


The required mathematics courses satisfy the cognate requirement.

4. Electives for B.S. Degrees - Curricula II


No courses of a remedial, developmental, skill-acquiring, vocational nature or physical education courses involving substantial content in pedagogy may apply towards the elective requirement. The College of Arts and Sciences allows the use of the Pass-Fail option on elective courses. Further clarification of inapplicable courses can be obtained from the College of Arts and Sciences.


 

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