University of Toledo   Department of Physics and Astronomy

B.S. Physics Degree Program

A student studying for the B.S. degree in Physics may choose among several physics concentrations, including Physics, Astrophysics, Applied Physics, or a concentration designed in consultation with a departmental advisor, and approved by the Department Chair. Such options might include, but are not limited to: biophysics, computational physics, geophysics, physics and philosophy, or teaching physics.

The sequence of courses shown below is a typical one for a physics major, but other course selections are possible. In particular a student who begins with a good knowledge of calculus might take PHYS 2130-2140 in the freshman year, PHYS 3310-3320 in the sophomore year, and PHYS 4210 in the junior year. Another possibility is the sequence PHYS 2070-2080-2100 instead of PHYS 2130-2140. The student must also satisfy all the degree requirements of the University Core and the College of Arts & Sciences, including English composition, a foreign language, the humanities and social sciences, and the writing across the curriculum program. The official degree requirements are published in the Catalog of the University of Toledo.

SAMPLE CURRICULUM

Freshman Year

 

Sophomore year

Fall Semester
    PHYS 1910 Frontiers of Physics ......................... 3
    ENGL 1110 Composition I ................................... 3
    CHEM 1230, 80 General Chemistry I, Lab 5
    MATH 1850 Single Variable Calculus I............. 4
    ARS 1000 Orientation .......................................... 1
 
Spring Semester
    PHYS 2130 Physics for Science Majors I 5
    ENGL 1130-1230 Composition II 3
    MATH 1860 Single Variable Calculus II ........... 4
    History requirement.............................................. 3
 

 
Fall Semester
    PHYS 2140 Physics for Science Majors II 5
    MATH 1890 Elementary Linear Algebra ........... 3
    MATH 2850 Multivariable Calculus .................. 4
    Foreign language .................................................. 4
  
 
Spring Semester
    PHYS 3150 Methods of Theoretical Physics 2
    PHYS 3180 Intermediate Lab ...................... 2
    MATH 3860 Differential Equations ................... 3
    Foreign language ................................................. 4
    Fine Arts requirement .......................................... 3

 

Junior Year

 

Senior Year

Fall Semester
    PHYS 3310 Quantum Physics I .................... 3
    PHYS 3610 Optics and Lasers ...................... 3
    Foreign language ................................................. 3
    Literature requirement ......................................... 3
   Social Science requirement ............................... 3
 
Spring Semester
    PHYS 3320 Quantum Physics II ................... 3
    PHYS 3410 Thermal Physics ......................... 3
     Foreign language requirement ..... 3
     Humanities requirement ..... 3
    Social Science requirement ................................. 3
 
 
Fall Semester
    PHYS 4210 Theoretical Mechanics ...... 3
    PHYS 4230 Electricity & Magnetism I ..... 3
     PHYS 4580/4780 Advanced Laboratory .......... 3
    Humanities Requirement ............................... 3
     Social Science requirement ............................... 3
 
Spring Semester
    PHYS 4240 Electricity & Magnetism II ...... 3
    PHYS 4310 Quantum Mechanics ...................... 3
    Free Elective ........................................................ 3
    Free Elective ........................................................ 3
    Free Elective ......................................................... 3