Department of Physics at UF

[BS] [BA] [Minor]

Bachelor of Science Degree (BS)

Students with a strong interest in understanding the fundamental whys and hows of natural physical phenomena are encouraged to consider majoring in physics. The knowledge acquired and analytical skills developed provide excellent broad-based training for a variety of careers in industry, education and government as well as preparation for further graduate study in physics, astronomy and astrophysics, science education, most areas of engineering, biophysics, law and medicine. Two curriculum options are available.

The regular option is normally taken by transfer students, UF students beginning their mathematics course work at or below the Calculus I level and all other stu-dents not taking the two-year sequence PHY 2060-2061-3062-3063 [See Accelerated Option, described in the next paragraph]. Students in the regular option take a minimum of 40 credits in physics, PHY 2048-2049-2048L-2049L or equivalent; PHY 3101 and the bridge courses PHY 3221, 3323 and 3513; PHY 4222, 4324, 4523, 4604, 4802L-4803L and one 3-credit approved physics elective.

The accelerated option is open to freshmen entering the university with advanced preparation in mathematics and physics, permits an early start and more flexibility for technical and other electives in the fourth year. Eligibility requirements for the accelerated option include a previous complete high school-level physics course and sufficient mathematics preparation (algebra, trigonometry, analytic geometry and calculus) to permit enrollment at the Calcu-lus 2 level (MAC 2312) or higher in the first semester at UF. This track includes a minimum of 38 credits in physics: PHY 2060-2061-3062-3063 and PHY 2048L-2049L; PHZ 3113; PHY 4222, 4328, 4523, 4604, 4802L-4803L and one 3-credit approved physics elective.

Physics majors must take one year of college-level chemistry and a minimum of six credits in approved mathematics courses beyond MAP 2302 (differential equations) or equivalent. Adequate mathematical preparation before taking certain physics courses is essential and is built into the suggested plans.

All undergraduate majors are encouraged to participate in research activities. Advanced students may also be eligible to enroll in certain graduate courses, thereby accelerating their education. Physics majors are urged to confer with a department adviser as early as possible and especially as their education goals evolve.

[Requirements]
[Sample Schedule: Regular Option]
[Sample Schedule - Enriched Option]
[Sample Schedule - Physics Courses - Both Options]

Bachelor of Arts Degree (BA)

The Bachelor of Arts [BA] Degree Program is for students who want to major in physics but are not presently contemplating physics graduate studies. It provides a good foundation in the fundamentals while offering

Increased flexibility in the major, through fewer required courses and more electives

Opportunity for parallel studies in another discipline and/or pre-professional preparation

Many of today's students wish to consider dual majors or dual degree programs so as to enhance their employability upon graduation or to afford more avenues for later graduate study. While a number of technology-oriented physics majors accomplish this through the BS track, the latter's rigor coupled with requirements of the second degree/major usually necessitates more time -- another semester or two -- before graduation with both degrees or majors.

The physics BA curriculum thus is designed to meet the needs of the following categories of students:

Students looking for a more flexible major in order to complete professional school admission requirements or to meet other career goals in minimum time.

Dual majors in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Dual majors (Physics and another discipline) have been graduated with Astronomy, Computer Science, Mathematics, Music and Philosophy.

Dual degrees: the physics major plus a degree from another College such as Engineering.

Students who wish to enter science/mathematics education. The ubiquitous need for teachers in this critical field continues. The BA curriculum fits current four-year UF programs that prepare students to teach at the high school level.

In addition to College of Liberal Arts and Sciences requirements, the BA in physics requires:

Chemistry One year, including at least one laboratory CHM 2045-2045L-2046
Mathematics Calculus 1,2, and 3 MAC 2311-2312-2313, Differential Equations MAP 2302, One approved course at the 3000-level or above
Physics * General Physics with calculus, including labs (8 cr.) PHY 2048-2048L-2049-2049L, The intermediate-level courses (11 cr.) PHY 3101-3112-3323-3513, Quantum Mechanics 1 (3 cr.) PHY 4604, Advanced Laboratory (3 cr.) PHY 4802L or 4803L, Any two additional 4000-level (or higher) physics courses that are included in the physics major curriculum (6 cr.)

[Requirements ]
[Sample Schedule Freshman-Senior]

* 31 credits in physics are required for the BA degree, as opposed to 40 for the BS. Students taking PHY 2060-2061-3062-3063, PHY 2048L-2049L, and PHZ 3113 as part of the accelerated sequence do not have to take the intermediate level courses. This reduces to total number of physics credits for the BA to 29.

Minor

What is a minor? Here's a good general description: "The minor affords a traditional, well-accepted way to recognize that a student has completed a significant body of work outside the major." ---1998-99 UF Undergraduate Catalog, p. 211. Note that the 'recognition' is official: successful completion of a minor is prominently indicated on the student's UF transcript.

So, although the minor implies somewhat less coursework than is required for a major, it must comprise a significant component of disciplinary fundamentals beyond the elementary or introductory level. Someone with a minor in physics ought to possess general knowledge of the primary 20th century developments in physics and to have demonstrated some ability to solve intermediate-level problems [through logical reasoning and calculations] in a few of the principal areas of the discipline. The requirement which follows is designed to accomplish this.

The minor in physics consists of a completed sequence in general physics [PHY2048-2049-2048L-2049L, or equivalent]; PHY3101 - Modern Physics; and any two additional 3000- or 4000- level physics courses listed in the physics major course sequence. The following courses may not count towards a Physics minor: PHY3018, PHY3036, PHY3400, and Individual Study courses. All grades must be C or better, and no more than 3 credits at the 3000-level or above may be earned by transfer.

Students who complete the course sequence PHY2060-2061-2048L-2049L-3513-3063 may satisfy the minor requirement by taking one additional 4000-level course in the physics major course sequence or by taking PHZ 3113.

In general, minors in any discipline reflect study above and beyond courses in that discipline required by the major. Thus, course substitutions from discplines outside of Physics are not allowed for the Physics minor. The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences also has a rule that minor course work must include at least 6 credits not required for the major. For example, this precludes an Astronomy BS with a Physics minor, although only a few extra courses are required to get a Physics BA with the Astronomy BS degree.

Persons interested in pursuing a physics minor are urged to consult one of the physics advisers and obtain the required approval of a minor program of study no later than the beginning of the junior year. The application form for the minor is available in the Departmental Student Services Office [1210 NPB].

Undergraduate Links

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Publications

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Contacts

Undergrad Coordinator Selman Hershfield

Undergraduate
Chris Scanlon
Office: 1210A NPB
Phone: 352.392.8818
scanlon@phys.ufl.edu

Mailing Address
P.O. Box 118440
Department of Physics
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL 32611-8440
Phone: 392-0521
Fax: 392-0524