Department of Physics and Astronomy/Geology
(PHYS) (ASTR) (GEOL)
Box 70652 Phone: (423) 439-4231
Physics is the study of the properties of matter, energy, radiation, and their interactions. It is generally regarded as basic to all the natural sciences, and as such is a fundamental part of the professional preparation of biologists, chemists, engineers, and other scientists and technologists.
The major program in physics provides the foundation for a broad spectrum of challenging careers in scientific and non-scientific fields. Baccalaureate physics majors find employment opportunities as, for example, research associates in commercial and government laboratories, sales and engineering representatives for manufacturers of technical products, industrial management trainees, and teachers at the secondary school level.
Most of ETSU’s graduates in physics continue their studies in graduate and professional schools, where they specialize in a wide variety of disciplines.
Major
– A major in physics at the bachelor’s level requires a minimum of 34 credit hours of study in physics. These shall include the following courses.
Physics Major (PHYS)
Bachelor of Science Degree (B.S.)
ETSU Academic Proficiency Requirements
Writing: Students must complete a minimum of four writing-intensive courses. At least two of these courses must be in the major field of study. At least two of the four courses must be at the 3000-4000 level.
Oral Communication: Students must complete a minimum of two oral communication-intensive courses. At least one of these courses must be in the major field of study.
Using Information Technology: Students must pass the information technology proficiency exam or successfully complete CSCI 1100, Using Information Technology, during their first calendar year or prior to accumulating 33 semester credits at ETSU. In addition, students must complete at least one using information technology-intensive course in the major field of study.
Transfer students may be subject to reduced number of intensives. See ETSU Academic Proficiency Requirements for details.
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TBR General Education Requirements |
42 Credit Hours |
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ENGL |
1010 |
Critical Reading and Expository Writing |
3 |
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ENGL |
1020 |
Critical Thinking and Argumentation |
3 |
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Communication: Oral Communication* |
3 |
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MATH |
1910 |
Calculus |
4 |
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Natural Science* |
8 |
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HIST |
2010 |
The United States to 1877 |
3 |
|
|
HIST |
2020 |
The United States Since 1877 |
3 |
|
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Humanities/Fine Arts/Literature* |
9 |
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Social/Behavioral Sciences* |
6 |
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| *See the General Education Core Requirements | ||||
| Physics Major Requirements | 34 Credit Hours | |||
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|
PHYS |
2110/20 |
Technical Physics - Calculus Based |
10 |
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|
PHYS |
3010 |
Mechanics |
4 |
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|
PHYS |
3710 |
Electricity and Magnetism |
4 |
| At least one of the advanced courses: | ||||
| PHYS | 4117 | Kinetic and Statistical Physics | ||
|
or |
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| PHYS | 4617 | Quantum Physics | ||
|
or |
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| PHYS | 4717 | Electromagnetic Theory | 4 | |
| Physics electives chosen from: | 12 Credit Hours | |||
| PHYS | 3110 | Thermodynamics | 3 | |
| PHYS | 3210 | Optics | 4 | |
| PHYS | 3310 | Electrical Measurements | 4 | |
| PHYS | 3510 | Introduction to Biophysics | 3 | |
| PHYS | 3610 | Introduction to Atomic and Nuclear Physics | 3 | |
| PHYS | 4117 | Kinetic and Statistical Physics | 4 | |
| PHYS | 4617 | Quantum Physics | 4 | |
| PHYS | 4717 | Electromagnetic Theory | 4 | |
| PHYS | 4850 | Seminar in Physics | 1 | |
| PHYS | 4860 | Special Topics in Physics | 1 - 3 | |
| PHYS | 4900 | Independent Studies | 1 - 3 | |
| B.S. Requirements | * | |||
| *See departmental requirements for Math; PHYS 2110/20 meets 8 hours of single laboratory science requirements. | ||||
| Minor | 18 - 27 Credit Hours | |||
| Electives | 17 - 26 Credit Hours | |||
| Total Hours Required for Degree | 120 Credit Hours | |||
| Suggested Course Sequence | ||||
| Freshman Year | ||||
| First Semester | Credit Hours | |||
| ENGL | 1010 | Critical Reading and Expository Writing | 3 | |
| Natural Science | 4 | |||
| HIST | 2010 | The United States to 1877 | 3 | |
| MATH | 1910 | Calculus I | 4 | |
|
Semester Total |
14 | |||
| Second Semester | Credit Hours | |||
| ENGL | 1020 | Critical Reading and Argumentation | 3 | |
| Natural Science | 4 | |||
| HIST | 2020 | The United States Since 1877 | 3 | |
| MATH | 1920 | Calculus II | 4 | |
|
Semester Total |
14 | |||
| Sophomore Year | ||||
| First Semester | Credit Hours | |||
| PHYS | 2110 | Technical Physics I | 5 | |
| Literature | 3 | |||
| Social/Behavioral Sciences | 3 | |||
| MATH | 2110 | Calculus III | 4 | |
|
Semester Total |
15 | |||
| Second Semester | Credit Hours | |||
| PHYS | 2110 | Technical Physics II | 5 | |
| Minor Requirement | 3 | |||
| Fine Arts | 3 | |||
| Social/Behavioral Sciences | 3 | |||
| MATH | 2010 | Linear Algebra | 3 | |
|
Semester Total |
17 | |||
| Junior Year | ||||
| First Semester | Credit Hours | |||
| PHYS | 3010 | Mechanics | 4 | |
| PHYS | 3710 | Electricity and Magnetism | 4 | |
| MATH | 2120 | Differential Equations | 3 | |
| Minor Requirement | 3 | |||
|
Semester Total |
14 | |||
| Second Semester | Credit Hours | |||
| Physics Electives | 6 | |||
| Minor Requirement | 3 | |||
| Humanities | 3 | |||
| Electives | 3 | |||
|
Semester Total |
15 | |||
| Senior Year | ||||
| First Semester | Credit Hours | |||
| Minor Requirements | 6 | |||
| Physics Elective | 3 | |||
| Advanced Physics Course | 4 | |||
| Elective | 3 | |||
|
Semester Total |
16 | |||