University of Montana Catalog 2023-2024

Physics B.A.

Bachelor of Arts - Physics

General Education Requirements

Information regarding these requirements can be found in the General Education Section of the catalog. 

Summary

Lower-Division Physics10
Upper-Division Physics30
Physics Electives6
Math Requirements16
Computer Science Requirements3
Advanced College Writing Requirement3
Total Hours68

Degree Specific Credits: 68

Required Cumulative GPA: 2.0

Lower-Division Physics

Complete one of the following Physics sequences:10
Algebra- and Trigonometry-based Physics:
College Physics I
and College Physics I Laboratory
College Physics II
and College Physics II Laboratory
Calculus-based Physics (strongly recommended):
Fundamentals of Physics with Calculus I
and Physics Laboratory I with Calculus
Fundamentals of Physics with Calculus II
and Physics Laboratory II with Calculus
Total Hours10

Minimum Required Grade: C-


Upper-Division Physics 

Complete all of the following courses:
PHSX 301Intro Theoretical Physics3
PHSX 311Oscillations and Waves2
PHSX 320Classical Mechanics3
PHSX 323Intermediate Physics Lab3
PHSX 343Modern Physics3
PHSX 423Electricity & Magnetism I3
PHSX 444Advanced Physics Lab3
PHSX 461Quantum Mechanics I3
PHSX 499Senior Capstone Seminar1
Complete two of the following courses:6
Electricity & Magnetism II
Thermodynamics & Statistical Mechanics
Quantum Mechanics II
Total Hours30

Minimum Required Grade: C-


Physics Electives

Note: Other PHSX courses may be substituted with adviser approval.

Complete two of the following courses:6
Einstein's Relativity
The Evolving Universe
Optics
Communicating Physics
Computational Physics
Electricity & Magnetism II (2 of these 3 courses must be taken in the physics core, the remaining course can be used as an elective)
Thermodynamics & Statistical Mechanics
Quantum Mechanics II
Total Hours6

Minimum Required Grade: C-


Math Requirements

Note: M 412 and M 418 are recommended as well

Complete all of the following courses:
M 171Calculus I4
M 172Calculus II4
M 221Introduction to Linear Algebra4
M 273Multivariable Calculus4
Total Hours16

Minimum Required Grade: C-


Computer Science Requirements

Complete one of the following courses:3
Introduction to Computer Science
Interdisciplinary Computer Science I
Computational Physics (strongly recommended)
Total Hours3

Minimum Required Grade: C-


Advanced College Writing Requirement

Note: May substitute another advanced writing course as approved by the department chair.

Complete the following course:
PHSX 330Communicating Physics3
Total Hours3

Minimum Required Grade: C-