Students whose career goals lie in directions other than physics have often expressed interest in physics and a wish for greater exposure than can be provided in the introductory physics courses. The following program requires a minimum of 14 semester credit hours of physics beyond the 10 credit hour introductory calculus based courses, along with the appropriate number of supporting math courses.
Physics Minor Prerequisites
- Physics 1250 or 1260 or 1270 - Introductory Physics I (5 hours)
- Physics 1251 or 1261 or 1271 - Introductory Physics II (5 hours)
Physics Minor Requirements
Required Course
- Physics 2300 - Intermediate Mechanics I (4 hours, Au, Sp)
- Pre-req: A grade of C+ or above in Physics 1251 or 1261 or 1271
- Co-req or Pre-req: Math 2153, 2162, 2173, 2182H, or 4182H
Elective Lectures
Choose two of the following lecture courses to take toward your physics minor.
- Physics 2301 - Intermediate Mechanics II (4 hours, Au, Sp)
- Pre-req: Math 2153 or 2173 or above; and a grade of C+ or above in Physics 2300
- Physics 3470 - Optics (3 hours, Sp)
- Pre-req: Physics 1251 or 1261 or 1271
- Physics 5300 - Theoretical Mechanics (4 hours, Au)
- Pre-req: Math 2174, 2415, 2255, or 5520H; and a grade of C+ or above in Physics 2301
- Physics 5400 - Intermediate Electricity and Magnetism (4 hours, Sp)
- Pre-req: Honors standing; Math 2174, 2415, 2255, or 5520H; and a grade of C+ or above in Physics 2301
- Physics 5400H - Honors Advanced Electricity and Magnetism I (4 hours, Au)
- Pre-req: Math 2174, 2415, 2255, or 5520H; and a grade of C+ or above in Physics 2301
- Physics 5401H - Honors Advanced Electricity and Magnetism II (4 hours, Sp)
- Pre-req: Physics 5400H
- Physics 5500 - Quantum Mechanics I (4 hours, Au)
- Pre-req: Math 2174, 2415, 2255, or 5520H; and a grade of C+ or above in Physics 2301
- Physics 5500H - Honors Quantum Mechanics I (4 hours, Au)
- Pre-req: Honors standing; a grade of B- or above in Math 2174, 2415, 2255, or 5520H; and a grade of B or above in Physics 2301
- Physics 5501 - Quantum Mechanics II (4 hours, Sp)
- Pre-req: Physics 5500
- Physics 5501H - Honors Quantum Mechanics II (4 hours, Sp)
- Pre-req: Physics 5500H
- Physics 5600 - Statistical Physics (4 hours, Sp)
- Pre-req: Physics 5500
- Physics 68xx - Special Topics (topics depends on instructor) (4 hours)
- Pre-req: Physics 5500, other prerequisites possible depending on instructor
Elective Lab
Choose one lab class from the following list:
- Physics 3700 - Experimental Physics Instrumentation and Data Analysis Lab (3 hours, Au, Sp, Su)
- Prereq: Physics 1251 or 1261 or 1271; and one of CSE 1222, CSE 1223, CSE 1224, Astron 1221, Engr 1221, or Engr 1281H
- Physics 4700 - Electronics Lab (3 hours, Au, Sp)
- Pre-req: Physics 1251 or 1261 or 1271
- Physics 5810 - Computational Physics (4 hours, Sp)
- Prereq: Physics 5500; and one of CSE 1222, CSE 1223, CSE 1224, Astron 1221, Engr 1221, or Engr 1281H
Additional Information
The minimum mathematics needed to support this program is the three semester sequence of Calculus and Analytic Geometry: Math 1151, 1152, 2153 (or equivalent)
For additional information, or to enroll in the physics minor program, contact Lindsey Thaler.