Physics B.A.
General Degree Requirements
To earn a baccalaureate degree, all students must complete successfully, in addition to any other requirements, the University of Montana General Education Requirements. Please refer to the General Education Requirements page for more information.
Additional requirements for graduation can be found on the Degree/Certificate Requirements for Graduation page.
Unless otherwise noted in individual program requirements, a minimum grade point average of 2.00 in all work attempted at the University of Montana-Missoula is required for graduation. Please see the Academic Policies and Procedures page for information on how your GPA is calculated.
Courses taken to satisfy the requirements of a major, minor, or certificate program must be completed with a grade of C- or better unless a higher grade is noted in the program requirements.
BACHELOR OF ARTS - PHYSICS
Course Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ||
| Upper-Division Physics | ||
| Complete all of the following courses: | ||
| PHSX 301 | Intro Theoretical Physics | 3 |
| PHSX 311 | Oscillations and Waves | 2 |
| PHSX 320 | Classical Mechanics | 3 |
| PHSX 323 | Intermediate Physics Lab | 3 |
| PHSX 343 | Modern Physics | 3 |
| PHSX 423 | Electricity & Magnetism I | 3 |
| PHSX 444 | Advanced Physics Lab | 3 |
| PHSX 461 | Quantum Mechanics I | 3 |
| PHSX 499 | Senior Capstone Seminar | 1 |
| Complete two of the following courses: | 6 | |
| Electricity & Magnetism II | ||
| Thermodynamics & Statistical Mechanics | ||
| Quantum Mechanics II | ||
| Physics Electives 1 | ||
| Complete two of the following courses: | 6 | |
| Einstein's Relativity | ||
or ASTR 142N | The Evolving Universe | |
| Optics | ||
| Communicating Physics | ||
| Computational Physics | ||
| Electricity & Magnetism II | ||
or PHSX 446 | Thermodynamics & Statistical Mechanics | |
or PHSX 462 | Quantum Mechanics II | |
| Math Requirements 2 | ||
| Complete all of the following courses: | ||
| M 171 | Calculus I | 4 |
| M 172 | Calculus II | 4 |
| M 221 | Introduction to Linear Algebra | 4 |
| M 273 | Multivariable Calculus | 4 |
| Computer Science Requirements | ||
| Complete one of the following courses: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Computer Science | ||
| Interdisciplinary Computer Science I | ||
| Computational Physics | ||
| Advanced Writing Requirement 3 | ||
| Complete the following course: | ||
| PHSX 330 | Communicating Physics | 3 |
| Total Hours | 68 | |
Four Year Plan
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| Autumn | Hours | |
| PHSX 215N & PHSX 216N |
Fundamentals of Physics with Calculus I and Physics Laboratory I with Calculus |
5 |
| M 171 | Calculus I | 4 |
| PHSX 101 | The Physics Experience | 1 |
| WRIT 101 | College Writing I | 4 |
| CSCI 150 | Introduction to Computer Science | 3 |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| PHSX 217N & PHSX 218N |
Fundamentals of Physics with Calculus II and Physics Laboratory II with Calculus |
5 |
| M 172 | Calculus II | 4 |
| CSCI 151 | Interdisciplinary Computer Science I | 3 |
| General Education Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Autumn | ||
| PHSX 311 | Oscillations and Waves | 2 |
| PHSX 343 | Modern Physics | 3 |
| M 273 | Multivariable Calculus | 4 |
| Elective | 6 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| PHSX 301 | Intro to Theoretical Physics | 3 |
| PHSX 320 | Classical Mechanics | 3 |
| M 221 | Introduction to Linear Algebra | 4 |
| Elective | 5 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Junior | ||
| Autumn | ||
| PHSX 461 | Quantum Mechanics I | 3 |
| M 274 | Introduction to Differential Equations | 4 |
| PHSX 389 | Research Initiation | 1 |
| General Education Requirement | 6 | |
| PHSX or General Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| PHSX 462 or PHSX 446 |
Quantum Mechanics II or Thermodynamics & Statistical Mechanics |
3 |
| PHSX 330 | Communicating Physics | 3 |
| PHSX or General Elective | 3 | |
| General Education Requirement | 6 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Senior | ||
| Autumn | ||
| PHSX 323 | Intermediate Physics Lab | 3 |
| PHSX 423 | Electricity & Magnetism I | 3 |
| PHSX 499 | Senior Capstone Seminar | 1 |
| General Education Requirement | 3 | |
| PHSX Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Spring | ||
| PHSX 425 or PHSX 446 |
Electricity & Magnetism II or Thermodynamics & Statistical Mechanics |
3 |
| PHSX 444 | Advanced Physics Lab | 3 |
| PHSX Elective | 3 | |
| General Elective | 6 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 122 | |
Last updated Autumn 2024