The Applied Physics concentration combines fundamental course work in physics with a selection of courses in a related field. Eight fields are available:
-
The Electronics, Semiconductors, and Optics field and the Materials and Fluids field are designed for students interested in rapidly changing technology or in areas that overlap the boundaries of traditional engineering disciplines.
-
The Computers field provides a foundation for the application of modern computer technology to problems in physics, the development of new types of computers, and jobs in computer programming.
-
The Chemistry field combines thorough knowledge of both chemistry and physics, which is useful in such interdisciplinary areas as materials science, surface science, and physical chemisty/chemical physics.
-
The Medical Physics field and the Biophysics field prepare students for further study in medical physics (the application of physics technologies to medical practice), health physics (radiation safety and protection), or biophysics, and are also appropriate for students planning careers in traditional health professions.
-
The Geophysics field prepares students for further study in geophysics and careers involving application of physical methods in geology.
-
The Data Science field provides students with the tools to analyze large data sets using contemporary statistical methods.
With this concentration, it is also possible for students to design a custom field (in consultation with departmental advisors) to meet their specific needs.
Effective Fall 2023
Each course used to meet requirements of the concentration need a minimum grade of C-, including courses to satisfy AUCC Categories 1, 2, and 3A.
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| AUCC | Credits | ||
| CO 150 | College Composition (GT-CO2) | 1A | 3 |
| Select one of the following groups: | 5 | ||
| Culture and Coding: Python (GT-AH3) | 3B | ||
Electives | |||
| or | |||
| Python for STEM | |||
| 3B | |||
| MATH 160 | Calculus for Physical Scientists I (GT-MA1) | 1B | 4 |
| MATH 161 | Calculus for Physical Scientists II (GT-MA1) | 1B | 4 |
| PH 141 | Physics for Scientists and Engineers I (GT-SC1) | 3A | 5 |
| PH 142 | Physics for Scientists and Engineers II (GT-SC1) | 3A | 5 |
| PH 193 | Introductory Seminar in Physics | 1 | |
| Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion | 1C | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| MATH 261 | Calculus for Physical Scientists III | 4 | |
| Select one from the following: | 4 | ||
| Intro to Ordinary Differential Equations | |||
| Differential Equations | |||
| PH 210 | Introduction to Computing in Physics | 3 | |
| PH 2451 | Introduction to Electronics | 3 | |
| PH 293 | Selected Topics in Physics | 1 | |
| PH 314 | Introduction to Modern Physics | 4 | |
| PH 315 | Modern Physics Laboratory | 2 | |
| Arts and Humanities | 3B | 3 | |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3C | 3 | |
| Historical Perspectives | 3D | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Select one from the following:2 | 3 | ||
| Advanced Scientific Writing--Chemistry (GT-CO3) | 2 | ||
| Writing Arguments (GT-CO3) | 2 | ||
| Writing in the Disciplines: Sciences (GT-CO3) | 2 | ||
| Strategic Writing and Communication (GT-CO3) | 2 | ||
| Specialized Professional Writing | 2 | ||
| MATH 369 | Linear Algebra I | 3 | |
| PH 341 | Mechanics | 4 | |
| PH 3511 | Electricity and Magnetism | 4 | |
| PH 353 | Optics and Waves | 4 | |
| PH 361 | Physical Thermodynamics | 3 | |
| Technical Elective (see list below) | 3 | ||
| Electives | 6 | ||
| Total Credits | 30 | ||
| Senior | |||
| PH 425 | Advanced Physics Laboratory | 4C | 2 |
| PH 451 | Introductory Quantum Mechanics I | 4A,4B | 3 |
| PH 492 | Seminar | 4C | 1 |
| Select one Field from the lists below (Select a minimum of 12 credits from a minimum of four courses)3 | 12 | ||
| Electives4 | 12 | ||
| Total Credits | 30 | ||
| Program Total Credits: | 120 | ||
Technical Electives (select a minimum of 3 credits not taken elsewhere in the program)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ATS 550 | Atmospheric Radiation and Remote Sensing | 3 |
| CHEM 111 | General Chemistry I (GT-SC2) | 4 |
| CHEM 120 | Foundations of Modern Chemistry (GT-SC2) | 4 |
| CIVE 300 | Fluid Mechanics | 3 |
| ECE 441 | Optical Electronics | 3 |
| ERHS 450 | Introduction to Radiation Biology | 3 |
| MATH 332 | Partial Differential Equations | 3 |
| MATH 366 | Introduction to Abstract Algebra | 3 |
| MATH 419 | Introduction to Complex Variables | 3 |
| MATH 430/ECE 430 | Fourier and Wavelet Analysis with Apps | 3 |
| MATH 450 | Introduction to Numerical Analysis I | 3 |
| MATH 451 | Introduction to Numerical Analysis II | 3 |
| MATH 472 | Introduction to Topology | 3 |
| MATH 474 | Introduction to Differential Geometry | 3 |
| MECH 518 | Orbital Mechanics | 3 |
| PH 498 | Research | 1-6 |
| PH 517 | Chaos, Fractals, and Nonlinear Dynamics | 3 |
| PH 521 | Introduction to Lasers | 3 |
| PH 531 | Introductory Condensed Matter Physics | 3 |
| PH 561 | Elementary Particle Physics | 3 |
| PH 571 | Mathematical Methods for Physics I | 3 |
| STAT 315 | Intro to Theory and Practice of Statistics | 3 |
| STAT 420 | Probability and Mathematical Statistics I | 3 |
Biophysics Field
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BC 351 | Principles of Biochemistry | 4 |
| BC 411 | Physical Biochemistry | 4 |
| BC 463 | Molecular Genetics | 3 |
| BC 464 | Molecular Genetics Recitation | 1 |
| BC 465 | Molecular Regulation of Cell Function | 3 |
| BC 467 | Biochemistry of Disease | 3 |
| BIOM 421 | Transport Phenomena in Biomedical Engineering | 3 |
| BIOM 422 | Quantitative Systems and Synthetic Biology | 3 |
| BIOM 441 | Biomechanics and Biomaterials | 3 |
| BIOM 526/ECE 526 | Biological Physics | 3 |
| BZ 310 | Cell Biology | 4 |
| CHEM 433 | Clinical Chemistry | 3 |
| ERHS 450 | Introduction to Radiation Biology | 3 |
| ERHS 530 | Radiological Physics and Dosimetry I | 3 |
| ERHS 531 | Nuclear Instruments and Measurements | 2 |
| ERHS 550 | Principles of Radiation Biology | 5 |
| MIP 300 | General Microbiology | 3 |
| MIP 450 | Microbial Genetics | 3 |
Chemistry Field
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CHEM 231 | Foundations of Analytical Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 232 | Foundations of Analytical Chemistry Lab | 2 |
| CHEM 241 | Foundations of Organic Chemistry | 4 |
| CHEM 242 | Foundations of Organic Chemistry Laboratory | 1 |
| CHEM 245 | Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry | 4 |
| CHEM 246 | Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry Laboratory | 1 |
| CHEM 261 | Fundamentals of Inorganic Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 263 | Foundations of Inorganic Chemistry | 4 |
| CHEM 264 | Foundations of Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory | 1 |
| CHEM 302-379 | ||
| CHEM 400-479 | ||
Computers Field
Only 3 credits from each CS course counts towards the 12 credit requirement.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CS 220 | Discrete Structures and their Applications | 4 |
| CS 250 | Computer Systems Foundations | 4 |
| CS 314 | Software Engineering | 3 |
| CS 320 | Algorithms--Theory and Practice | 3 |
| CS 345 | Machine Learning Foundations and Practice | 3 |
| CS 356 | Systems Security | 3 |
| CS 370 | Operating Systems | 3 |
| CS 414 | Object-Oriented Design | 4 |
| CS 415 | Software Testing | 4 |
| CS 420 | Introduction to Analysis of Algorithms | 4 |
| CS 430 | Database Systems | 4 |
| CS 435 | Introduction to Big Data | 4 |
| CS 440 | Introduction to Artificial Intelligence | 4 |
| CS 445 | Introduction to Machine Learning | 4 |
| CS 453 | Introduction to Compiler Construction | 4 |
| CS 454 | Principles of Programming Languages | 4 |
| CS 455 | Introduction to Distributed Systems | 4 |
| CS 456 | Modern CyberSecurity | 4 |
| CS 457 | Computer Networks and the Internet | 4 |
| CS 462 | Engaging in Virtual Worlds | 4 |
| CS 475 | Parallel Programming | 4 |
| ECE 251 | Introduction to Microcontrollers and IoT | 4 |
| ECE 450 | Digital System Design Laboratory | 1 |
| ECE 451 | Digital System Design | 3 |
| ECE 452 | Computer Organization and Architecture | 3 |
| ECE 456 | Computer Networks | 4 |
| MATH 360 | Mathematics of Information Security | 3 |
| MATH 460 | Information and Coding Theory | 3 |
| MATH 463 | Post-Quantum Cryptography | 3 |
Custom Field
Specific courses forming a coherent program are selected by the student in consultation with their academic advisor and subject to approval of the Key Advisor.
Data Science Field
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DSCI 235 | Data Wrangling | 2 |
| DSCI 320 | Optimization Methods in Data Science | 3 |
| DSCI 335 | Inferential Reasoning in Data Analysis | 3 |
| DSCI 336 | Data Graphics and Visualization | 1 |
| DSCI 445 | Statistical Machine Learning | 3 |
| DSCI 473 | Introduction to Geometric Data Analysis | 2 |
| DSCI 475 | Topological Data Analysis | 2 |
| STAT 158 | Introduction to R Programming | 1 |
| STAT 341 | Statistical Data Analysis I | 3 |
Electronics, Semiconductors, and Optics Field
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ECE 311 | Linear System Analysis I | 3 |
| ECE 312 | Linear System Analysis II | 3 |
| ECE 331 | Electronics Principles I | 4 |
| ECE 332 | Electronics Principles II | 4 |
| ECE 404 | Experiments in Optical Electronics | 2 |
| ECE 411 | Control Systems | 3 |
| ECE 412 | Digital Control and Digital Filters | 3 |
| ECE 415 | Semiconductor Physics and Junctions | 2 |
| ECE 421 | Telecommunications I | 3 |
| ECE 430/MATH 430 | Fourier and Wavelet Analysis with Apps | 3 |
| ECE 441 | Optical Electronics | 3 |
| ECE 444 | Antennas and Radiation | 3 |
| ECE 457 | Fourier Optics | 3 |
| ECE 546 | Laser Fundamentals and Devices | 3 |
Geophysics Field
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CIVE 413 | Environmental River Mechanics | 3 |
| GEOL 232 | Mineralogy | 3 |
| GEOL 250 | The Solid Earth | 3 |
| GEOL 332 | Optical Mineralogy | 2 |
| GEOL 344 | Stratigraphy and Sedimentology | 4 |
| GEOL 364 | Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology | 4 |
| GEOL 372 | Structural Geology | 4 |
| GEOL 415 | Critical Zone Science | 3 |
| GEOL 440 | Geodetic and Near-Surface Geophysical Methods | 4 |
| GEOL 442 | Applied Geophysics | 4 |
| GEOL 446 | Environmental Geology | 3 |
| GEOL 454 | Geomorphology | 4 |
| GEOL 530 | Advanced Petrology | 3 |
| GEOL 535 | Microtectonics | 3 |
| GEOL 570 | Plate Tectonics | 3 |
Materials and Fluids Field
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CBE 331 | Momentum Transfer and Mechanical Separations | 3 |
| CBE 332 | Heat and Mass Transfer Fundamentals | 3 |
| CIVE 300 | Fluid Mechanics | 3 |
| CIVE 301 | Fluid Mechanics Laboratory | 1 |
| CIVE 401 | Hydraulic Engineering | 3 |
| CIVE 413 | Environmental River Mechanics | 3 |
| MECH 331A | Introduction to Engineering Materials: Lecture | 3 |
| MECH 331B | Introduction to Engineering Materials : Lab | 1 |
| MECH 338 | Thermal/Fluid Sciences Laboratory | 1 |
| MECH 342 | Fluid Mechanics for Mechanical Engineers | 3 |
| MECH 344 | Heat and Mass Transfer | 3 |
| MECH 431 | Metals and Alloys | 3 |
| MECH 432 | Engineering of Nanomaterials | 3 |
| MECH 450 | Aerospace Propulsion | 3 |
| MECH 460 | Aeronautics | 3 |
| MECH 468 | Space Propulsion and Power Engineering | 3 |
| MSE 502A | Materials Science and Engineering Methods: Materials Structure and Scattering | 1 |
| MSE 502B | Materials Science and Engineering Methods: Computational Materials Methods | 1 |
| MSE 502C | Materials Science and Engineering Methods: Materials Microscopy | 1 |
| MSE 502D | Materials Science and Engineering Methods: Materials Spectroscopy | 1 |
| MSE 502E | Materials Science and Engineering Methods: Bulk Properties and Performance | 1 |
| MSE 502F | Materials Science and Engineering Methods: Experimental Methods for Materials Research | 1 |
| MSE 503 | Mechanical Behavior of Materials | 3 |
| MSE 504 | Thermodynamics of Materials | 3 |
| MSE 505 | Kinetics of Materials | 3 |
| MSE 523 | Electronic Properties of Materials | 3 |
| PH 531 | Introductory Condensed Matter Physics | 3 |
Medical Physics Field
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BC 467 | Biochemistry of Disease | 3 |
| BIOM 421 | Transport Phenomena in Biomedical Engineering | 3 |
| BIOM 422 | Quantitative Systems and Synthetic Biology | 3 |
| BMS 300 | Principles of Human Physiology | 4 |
| BMS 325 | Cellular Neurobiology | 3 |
| BMS 345 | Functional Neuroanatomy | 4 |
| CHEM 433 | Clinical Chemistry | 3 |
| ERHS 332 | Principles of Epidemiology | 3 |
| ERHS 450 | Introduction to Radiation Biology | 3 |
| ERHS 515 | Non-Ionizing Radiation Safety | 2 |
| ERHS 530 | Radiological Physics and Dosimetry I | 3 |
| ERHS 531 | Nuclear Instruments and Measurements | 2 |
| ERHS 556 | Monte Carlo Methods in Health Physics | 3 |
| ERHS 561 | Radiation Public Health | 2 |
| ERHS 563 | Environmental Contaminant Modeling I | 2 |
| ERHS 570 | Radioecology | 2 |
| MIP 300 | General Microbiology | 3 |
| MIP 342 | Immunology | 4 |
| MIP 351 | Medical Bacteriology | 3 |
| MIP 420 | Medical and Molecular Virology | 4 |
- 1
For students who change majors from Electrical Engineering or are double-majoring in Electrical Engineering, please see an advisor for possible substitutions.
- 2
Other courses in AUCC Category 2 may be accepted if they are taken prior to declaring the Physics major or are taken to meet requirements of another major.
- 3
A minimum of 6 credits must be 300-, 400-, or 500-level.
- 4
Select enough elective credits to bring the program total to a minimum of 120 credits, of which at least 42 must be upper-division (300- , 400-level, or 500-level).
Distinctive Requirements for Degree Program:
Required PH courses above the 100-Level are typically offered only Fall or Spring, not both. A grade of C- or better is required in all courses used to meet requirements of the major, except for unrestricted electives and courses taken to satisfy All-University Core Curriculum (AUCC) categories 1A, 1C, 3B, 3C, and 3D. Courses in a Selected Field list have additional prerequisites. Any student considering the Applied Physics concentration should meet with an advisor as soon as possible.
| Freshman | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Critical | Recommended | AUCC | Credits | |
| CO 150 | College Composition (GT-CO2) | X | 1A | 3 | |
| MATH 160 | Calculus for Physical Scientists I (GT-MA1) | X | 1B | 4 | |
| PH 141 | Physics for Scientists and Engineers I (GT-SC1) | X | 3A | 5 | |
| PH 193 | Introductory Seminar in Physics | X | 1 | ||
| Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion | 1C | 3 | |||
| Total Credits | 16 | ||||
| Semester 2 | Critical | Recommended | AUCC | Credits | |
| Select one group from the following: | X | 3-5 | |||
| Group A: | |||||
| Culture and Coding: Python (GT-AH3) | 3B | ||||
Electives | |||||
| Group B: | |||||
| Python for STEM | |||||
| 3B | |||||
| MATH 161 | Calculus for Physical Scientists II (GT-MA1) | X | 1B | 4 | |
| PH 142 | Physics for Scientists and Engineers II (GT-SC1) | X | 3A | 5 | |
| CO 150, MATH 160, and PH 141 must be completed by the end of Semester 2. | X | ||||
| Total Credits | 14 | ||||
| Sophomore | |||||
| Semester 3 | Critical | Recommended | AUCC | Credits | |
| MATH 261 | Calculus for Physical Scientists III | X | 4 | ||
| PH 210 | Introduction to Computing in Physics | X | 3 | ||
| PH 245 | Introduction to Electronics | X | 3 | ||
| PH 293 | Selected Topics in Physics | X | 1 | ||
| Historical Perspectives | X | 3D | 3 | ||
| MATH 161 and PH 142 must be completed by the end of Semester 3. | X | ||||
| Total Credits | 14 | ||||
| Semester 4 | Critical | Recommended | AUCC | Credits | |
| Select one course from the following: | 4 | ||||
| Intro to Ordinary Differential Equations | X | ||||
| Differential Equations | |||||
| PH 314 | Introduction to Modern Physics | X | 4 | ||
| PH 315 | Modern Physics Laboratory | X | 2 | ||
| Arts and Humanities | 3B | 3 | |||
| Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3C | 3 | |||
| MATH 261 must be completed by the end of Semester 4. | X | ||||
| Total Credits | 16 | ||||
| Junior | |||||
| Semester 5 | Critical | Recommended | AUCC | Credits | |
| MATH 369 | Linear Algebra I | X | 3 | ||
| PH 341 | Mechanics | X | 4 | ||
| PH 353 | Optics and Waves | X | 4 | ||
| Technical Elective (see list on Concentration Requirements tab) | X | 3 | |||
| MATH 340 and PH 245 must be completed by the end of Semester 5. | X | ||||
| Total Credits | 14 | ||||
| Semester 6 | Critical | Recommended | AUCC | Credits | |
| PH 351 | Electricity and Magnetism | X | 4 | ||
| PH 361 | Physical Thermodynamics | X | 3 | ||
| Select one course from the following: | 3 | ||||
| Advanced Scientific Writing--Chemistry (GT-CO3) | 2 | ||||
| Writing Arguments (GT-CO3) | 2 | ||||
| Writing in the Disciplines: Sciences (GT-CO3) | 2 | ||||
| Strategic Writing and Communication (GT-CO3) | 2 | ||||
| Specialized Professional Writing | 2 | ||||
| Electives | 6 | ||||
| PH 293, PH 314, and PH 315 must be completed by the end of Semester 6. | X | ||||
| Total Credits | 16 | ||||
| Senior | |||||
| Semester 7 | Critical | Recommended | AUCC | Credits | |
| PH 451 | Introductory Quantum Mechanics I | X | 4A,4B | 3 | |
| Selected Field (See Lists on Concentration Requirements Tab) | 6 | ||||
| Electives | 6 | ||||
| PH 341 and PH 353 must be completed by the end of Semester 7. | X | ||||
| Total Credits | 15 | ||||
| Semester 8 | Critical | Recommended | AUCC | Credits | |
| PH 425 | Advanced Physics Laboratory | X | 4C | 2 | |
| PH 492 | Seminar | X | 4C | 1 | |
| Selected Field (See Lists on Concentration Requirements Tab) | X | 6 | |||
| Electives | X | 6 | |||
| The benchmark courses for the 8th semester are the remaining courses in the entire program of study. | X | ||||
| Total Credits | 15 | ||||
| Program Total Credits: | 120 | ||||