Physics Major, BS – Astronomy Concentration (uTrack Requirements)

uTrack Requirements (College of Arts and Sciences)

Universal Tracking (uTrack) is an academic monitoring system designed to help students stay on track for timely graduation. In order to remain on track, students must complete the minimum requirements for each tracking semester, known as milestones. Milestones include successful completion of specified courses and/or attainment of a minimum GPA. uTrack requirements only affect full-time, degree-seeking students.

Following the sample academic plan and its uTrack milestones will help students stay on track to graduate in four years. For specific course requirements, refer to the description of the major and the Arts and Sciences requirements  listed in the Catalog, and consult an academic advisor.

Term 1

• Oral Communication  Elective 3 Credit Hours *
• Social Sciences  Elective 3 Credit Hours *

• ENGL 101 - English Composition I 3 Credit Hours * (or equivalent)

•  

• Select one course:

• MATH 132 - Calculus 1B Infused with Precalculus 3 Credit Hours *
• MATH 141 - Calculus I 4 Credit Hours *
• MATH 147 - Honors: Calculus I 4 Credit Hours *

•  

• Select one course:

• PHYS 135 - Introduction to Physics for Physical Science and Mathematics Majors I 4 Credit Hours *
• PHYS 137 - Honors: Fundamentals of Physics for Physics Majors I 5 Credit Hours *

Term 2

• ENGL 102 - English Composition II 3 Credit Hours * (or equivalent)
• PHYS 211 - Picture a Physicist: A seminar for new physics majors 1 Credit Hours

•  

• Select one course:

• COSC 101 - Introduction to Programming 3 Credit Hours
• COSC 102 - Introduction to Computer Science 4 Credit Hours
• COSC 111 - Computational Thinking and the Art of Programming 3 Credit Hours *

•  

• Select one course:

• MATH 142 - Calculus II 4 Credit Hours *
• MATH 148 - Honors: Calculus II 4 Credit Hours *

•  

• Select one course:

• PHYS 136 - Introduction to Physics for Physical Science and Mathematics Majors II 4 Credit Hours *
• PHYS 138 - Honors: Fundamentals of Physics for Physics Majors II 5 Credit Hours *

Term 3

• Foreign Language 3 Credit Hours (intermediate level)
• Non-U.S. History 3 Credit Hours *

• ASTR 217 - Honors: Introductory Astronomy 4 Credit Hours *
• MATH 231 - Differential Equations I 3 Credit Hours
• PHYS 251 - Fundamentals of Physics: Waves, Optics, and the Breakdown of Classical Physics 4 Credit Hours

Term 4

• Foreign Language 3 Credit Hours * (intermediate level)

• ASTR 218 - Honors: Introductory Astronomy 4 Credit Hours *
• PHYS 201 - Multivariable Calculus and Vector Analysis for Physicists 3 Credit Hours
• PHYS 252 - Fundamentals of Physics: Quantum Physics and Applications 4 Credit Hours
• PHYS 321 - Thermal Physics 3 Credit Hours

Term 5

• Arts and Humanities  Elective 3 Credit Hours *
• Non-U.S. History 3 Credit Hours * (continuation of sequence)

• ASTR 411 - Stellar Structure and Stellar Evolution 3 Credit Hours
• PHYS 301 - Linear Algebra and Complex Analysis for Physicists 3 Credit Hours
• PHYS 311 - Mechanics I 3 Credit Hours

Term 6

• Arts and Humanities  (Lit/Phil/Rel Thought ) Elective 3 Credit Hours *
• ¹ Global Citizenship – US  Elective 3 Credit Hours *
• ² Connections 3 Credit Hours
• Social Sciences  Elective 3 Credit Hours *

• ASTR 421 - General Relativity, Black Holes, and Cosmology 3 Credit Hours

Term 7

• ^1,3 Engaged Inquiries  Elective 3 Credit Hours *
• Written Communication  Elective 3 Credit Hours *

• PHYS 461 - Modern Physics Laboratory 3 Credit Hours

•  

• Complete two courses from:

• PHYS 361 - Electronics Laboratory 3 Credit Hours
• PHYS 411 - Introduction to Quantum Mechanics I 3 Credit Hours
• PHYS 421 - Modern Optics 4 Credit Hours
• PHYS 431 - Electricity and Magnetism I 3 Credit Hours

Term 8

• ^1,3 Engaged Inquiries  Elective 6 Credit Hours *
• ² Connections 6 Credit Hours

• ³  PHYS 451 - A Survey of Contemporary Physics 3 Credit Hours *
• PHYS 495 - Physics Proficiency 0 Credit Hours

Total Credit Hours 125-130

Footnotes

1. All students must complete at least 42 upper-division (300-400 level) hours in order to receive a degree from the College of Arts & Sciences.
2. The Connections requirement may be satisfied in one of three ways: (1) by completing 9 hours from one of the approved Connections packages, (2) by completing the requirements for a second major or minor, or (3) by completing 9 hours of study abroad coursework. All students must complete at least 42 upper-division (300-400 level) hours in order to receive a degree from the College of Arts & Sciences.
3. The courses indicated meet both a Volunteer Core  requirement as well as a requirement in the major. Students can choose to complete the Volunteer Core  requirement using alternative courses; however, this could increase time to degree.

* Meets Volunteer Core Requirements .