Department of Physics Undergraduate Program Bachelor of Science Students with a strong interest in understanding the fundamental whys and hows of natural physical phenomena are encouraged to consider majoring in physics. The knowledge acquired and analytical skills developed provide excellent broad-based training for a variety of careers in industry, education and government as well as preparation for further graduate study in physics, astronomy and astrophysics, science education, most areas of engineering, biophysics, law and medicine. Two curriculum options are available. The regular option is normally taken by transfer students, UF students beginning their mathematics course work at or below the Calculus I level and all other students not taking the two-year sequence -2061-3062-3063 [See Accelerated Option, described in the next paragraph]. Students in the regular option take a minimum of 40 credits in physics, -2049-2048L-2049L or equivalent; and the bridge courses, 3323 and 3513;, 4324, 4523, 4604, 4802L-4803L and one 3-credit approved physics elective. The accelerated option is open to freshmen entering the university with advanced preparation in mathematics and physics, permits an early start and more flexibility for technical and other electives in the fourth year. Eligibility requirements for the accelerated option include a previous complete high school-level physics course and sufficient mathematics preparation (algebra, trigonometry, analytic geometry and calculus) to permit enrollment at the Calculus 2 level (MAC 2312) or higher in the first semester at UF. This track includes a minimum of 38 credits in physics: -2061-3062-3063 and -2049L; PHZ 3113;, 4328, 4523, 4604, 4802L- 4803L and one 3-credit approved physics elective. Physics majors must take one year of college-level chemistry and a minimum of six credits in approved mathematics courses beyond MAP 2302 (differential equations) or equivalent. Adequate mathematical preparation before taking certain physics courses is essential and is built into the suggested plans. All undergraduate majors are encouraged to participate in research activities. Advanced students may also be eligible to enroll in certain graduate courses, thereby accelerating their education. Physics majors are urged to confer with a department adviser as early as possible and especially as their education goals evolve. Department of Physics University of Florida
UF Undergraduate Physics BS Degree Requirements. I. II. Our Physics (PS) Requirements A. Physics Courses Course Title Course Number Credits Introductory Physics -2049 or -2061 6 Introductory Labs -2049L 2 Modern Physics or PHY 3063 3 Mechanics/Theoretical Phys.* ( or PHZ 3113) and 6 Electromagnetism -4324 6 Thermal Physics -4523 6 Quantum Mechanics 1 3 Advanced Labs PHY 4802L-4803L 6 4000-level Physics 3 Total Credits = 41 * Students who have taken may skip and take PHZ 3113 instead. If you are unsure which course to take, please consult an advisor. B. Other major (Physics Dept.) requirements Chemistry 1-2 (including at least one lab) 7 credits Mathematics Calculus 1, 2, and 3; + Differential Equations; + Two Math/Computer Science electives, 3000-level or higher 21 credits University and College Requirements A. College (CLAS) Basic Distribution (includes General Education Requirements) Composition 6 credits Mathematical Sciences 6 credits Humanities 9 credits* Social/Behavioral Sciences 9 credits* Physical Science 6 credits* Biological Science 6 credits* Science Laboratory 1 credit * Must include six credits of international/diversity studies in the 30 credits. B. College Requirement 18 credits of courses taken outside the major department at the 3000-level or above. CHM 2111(L), (L), MAC 2234, MAC 2312, MAC 2313, MAP 2302, and CGS 2532 satisfy this requirement. C. College Language Requirement Proficiency at the level of a student who has completed a beginning foreign language sequence at UF, usually 10 credits. This requirement may also be met by taking AP, IB, and SAT II exams. D. BS Degree total, 120 credits
Suggested Schedule Starting Freshman Year, BS Major in Physics - Regular Option This option is recommended for transfer students and UF students not selecting the Enriched Option. Critical tracking criteria are shown in italics after each of the first five semesters. Note that this is only a suggested schedule - individual cases may vary. Students should see an advisor once a semester to be certain they are on schedule. FRESHMAN YEAR Semester 1 - Fall Credits Semester 2 - Spring Credits CHM 2045 Chemistry 3 CHM 2046 Chemistry 3 CHM 2045L Chemistry Lab 1 Physics 1 3 MAC 3311 Calculus 1 ## 4 Physics Lab 1 1 3 MAC 2312 Calculus 2 4 3 3 14 14 Complete one MAC and one CHM course Complete CHM 2045L and MAC 2311 SOPHOMORE YEAR Semester 3 - Fall Credits Semester 4 - Spring Credits Physics 2 3 Modern Physics 3 Physics Lab 2 1 MAP 2302 Differential Equations ## 3 Thermal Physics 3 Electromagnetism 1 3 MAC 2313 Calculus 3 ## 4 Foreign Language 3-5 Gen. Ed. or Foreign Language 4-5 Gen. Ed. 3 15-16 15-17 Complete general chemistry, MAC 2312 and Complete MAC 2313, ; 2.5 GPA in tracking courses; 2.0 cum. UF GPA JUNIOR YEAR Semester 5 - Fall Credits Semester 6 - Spring Credits Classical Mech. 1 2 Classical Mech. 2 3 Electromag. 2 3 PHY 4803L Lab. Physics 2 3 PHY 4802L Lab. Physics 1 3 Math #2 3 Math #1 3 Gen Ed. or CLAS s 6 Gen Ed. or CLAS 3 15 14 Complete MAP 2302; 2.5 GPA in tracking courses; 2.0 cummulative UF GPA SENIOR YEAR Semester 7 - Fall Credits Semester 8 - Spring Credits Quantum Mech. 1 3 Statistical Physics 3 Physics 3 Physics 3 Physics or Math 3 Physics or Math 3 Gen Ed.or CLAS s 6 Gen Ed. or CLAS s 6 15 15 ## Students taking no calculus prior to entering U.F. should consider taking Calc. 3 in the summer at the end of year 1 and Differential Equations in the Fall term of year 2. This affords better mathematical preparation for the upper-level courses.
1 Suggested Schedule Starting Freshman Year, BS Major in Physics - Enriched Option This option is open to UF freshmen who qualify for registration in Calculus 2 (MAC 3312) or higher in their first semester of attendance at U.F. Critical tracking criteria are shown in italics after each of the first five semesters. Note that this is only a suggested schedule - individual cases may vary. Students should see an advisor once a semester to be certain they are on schedule. FRESHMAN YEAR Semester 1 - Fall Credits Semester 2 - Spring Credits MAC 2312 Calculus 2 4 MAC 2313 Calculus 3 4 Honors Physics 1 3 Honors Physics 2 3 Physics 1 Lab 1 Physics 2 Lab 1 CHM 2045 Gen. Chemistry 1 3 CHM 2046 Gen. Chemistry 2 3 CHM 2045L Chemistry Lab 1 3 3 14 15 Complete one MAC and one CHM course Complete CHM 2045L and MAC 2311 SOPHOMORE YEAR Semester 3 - Fall Credits Semester 4 - Spring Credits MAP 2302 Diff. Equations 3 PHY 3063 Honors Physics 4 3 Thermal Physics 3 Classical Mech. 2 3 PHZ 3113 Intro. Theor. Phys. 3 Electromagnetism 1 3 s 6 s 6 15 15 Complete general chemistry, MAC 2312 and Complete MAC 2313, ; 2.5 GPA in tracking courses; 2.0 cum. UF GPA JUNIOR YEAR Semester 5 - Fall Credits Semester 6 - Spring Credits Electromagnetism 2 3 Statistical Physics 3 PHY 4802L Lab. Physics 1 3 PHY 4803L Lab. Physics 2 3 Quantum Mech. 1 3 Physics 3 3 Foreign Language 3-5 Foreign Language 3-5 3 15-17 15-17 Complete MAP 2302; 2.5 GPA in tracking courses; 2.0 cummulative UF GPA SENIOR YEAR Semester 7 - Fall Credits Semester 8 - Spring Credits Physics 3 Physics s 6 Physics or Math s 6 Physics or Math 3 Gen. Ed. or CLAS s 6 Gen. Ed. or CLAS s 6 15 15
Samples Schedules for Physics Courses (B.S. Degree) The following are sample schedules for physics courses for students pursuing a B.S. in Physics. There are several different schedules depending on whether one starts taking physics in the Fall or Spring semesters, whether one is taking the Accelerated or Regular sequence, whether one wishes to go through the curriculum in 6,7, or 8 semesters. As always, individual student's schedules may vary. All students are encouraged to visit a departmental advisor on a regular basis. PHZ 3113. PHY 3063 (8 semesters) (8 semesters) PHZ 3113 PHY 3063
Fall Spring (7 semesters) (7 semesters)