The University of Texas at Austin College of Natural Sciences 28 courses 126 total credits
All aspects of the physical universe are of interest to the physicist, who seeks to understand not only the smallest forms of matter and the rich phenomena present in our everyday lives but also the universe itself. Physics has played a critical role in human technological and intellectual development during the twentieth century. The tools of the physicist—observation, imagination, model building, prediction, and deduction—will enable physics to continue this influence into the new century. The Bachelor of Science in Physics degree program is designed to provide the skills, understanding, and outlook required for participation in the discovery of new knowledge about nature. The Bachelor of Science in Physics program is balanced and broad. It is designed to give the student a strong foundation for graduate study or work in physics and, with additional training, for work in a variety of other areas, such as astronomy, astrophysics, biophysics, chemical physics, computer science, engineering, geophysics, mathematics, medicine, physics teaching, and space sciences. Students who end their formal training with the bachelor’s degree may seek employment in industry, in national laboratories, or in teaching; they should consider the options in computation, radiation physics, space sciences, biophysics, and teaching, which augment the broad instruction provided by the basic Bachelor of Science in Physics. Students who plan to follow Physics Honors, must be admitted to the Dean’s Scholars Honors Program. The Plan of Study is a suggested four-year course sequence to support academic planning and serves as a helpful guide. Currently enrolled students should meet with their academic advisor to tailor their course selections and timelines to their individual goals and circumstances.
| Hours chosen from: the College of Liberal Arts and/or the College of Fine Arts | 6 credits |
| Foreign Language other than English, Beginning Proficiency | credits |
| College Requirements - Natural Sciences | credits |
| General University Requirements | credits |
| Foreign Language other than English, Beginning Proficiency | credits |
| First course in a foreign language and a three-semester-hour course in the culture of the same language area | credits |
Concentration
Honors Breadth Requirement (credit earned by examination may not be counted toward this requirement)
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CH 301C | Foundations of Chemistry I | 3-4 |
Concentration
&
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CH 302C | Foundations of Chemistry II | 3-4 |
| M 427J | Differential Equations with Linear Algebra | 4 |
Concentration
Hours chosen from: Honors-designated course from a department in the college outside of mathematics
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| M 340L | Matrices and Matrix Calculations | 3 |
Concentration
&
Concentration
Hours chosen from:
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| NSC 109.1 | Planning Your Capstone Experience | 1-3 |
| NSC 109.2 | Health Science Scholars Capstone Experience Preparation | 1-3 |
| NSC 109.4 | Polymathic Capstone Field Invention | 1-3 |
| Total Concentration | 3 credits | |
Concentration
Hours chosen from:
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PHY 371C | Individual Study in Physics | 3 |
| Total Concentration | 6 credits | |
Concentration
&
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PHY 379H | Honors Tutorial Course | 3 |
| NSC 123 | Natural Sciences Topics | 1-9 |
Major-Physics (BSPhy)
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PHY 301 | Mechanics | 3 |
| PHY 101L | Laboratory for Physics 301 | 1 |
| PHY 316 | Electricity and Magnetism | 3 |
| PHY 116L | Laboratory for Physics 316 | 1 |
| PHY 315 | Wave Motion and Optics | 3 |
| PHY 115L | Laboratory for Physics 315 | 1 |
| Total Major-Physics (BSPhy) | 12 credits | |
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