Physics students seek to understand fundamental issues involving why the world around us behaves as it does. Our students graduate with strong problem solving skills reinforced by a broad knowledge base in mechanics, thermodynamics, electricity, magnetism, optics and quantum mechanics. Students may take specialized courses in astrophysics, solid state physics and other areas.
The Bachelor of Science program in physics is designed to help students attain their professional goals in physics. Four options within the Bachelor of Science program enable students to achieve their particular educational objectives. The options are:
1. The Traditional Physics Option.
This option is designed for students intending graduate studies in physics or planning to obtain an industrial position with a traditional physics degree.
2. The Solid State Physics Option.
This option is designed for students presently employed by or intending employment in the semiconductor industry. It will provide theoretical foundations and practical experience in solid state physics.
3. The Energy Science Option.
This option will prepare graduates for energy-related careers in industry and government and will provide the student with a strong background in the technical, economic, and instrumentation aspects of all energy resources. Please check with the Department about the availability of classes to complete this option.
Courses in each option are chosen to teach the fundamental concepts on which the field is based. Laboratories are designed to give students practical hands-on experience. Advanced laboratories provide opportunities to study and use state-of-the-art technology in the student's area of interest. The Solid State Laboratory required in the Solid State option is designed to teach the fundamentals of materials technology. Students in each of the three options are required to take the core course requirements as well as the option requirements listed below.
REQUIRED AND ELECTIVE COURSES
A. Required Courses for All Three Options
Physics and Energy Science (PES) Required Core courses:
PES 111 |
General Physics I |
4 credits |
PES 171 - Honors Physics 4 credits may replace PES 111
PES 117 - Honors Physics Lab 1 credit may replace PES 116 |
PES 112 |
General Physics II |
4 |
PES 213 |
General Physics III |
3 |
PES 116 |
Advanced Physics Laboratory |
1 |
PES 215 |
Physics Laboratory II |
1 |
PES 313 |
Modern Physics |
3 |
PES 315 |
Modern Physics Lab |
2 |
PES 317 |
Instrumentation Lab I |
2 |
PES 318 |
Instrumentation Lab II |
2 |
PES 321 |
Classical Mechanics |
3 |
PES 331 |
Electricity and Magnetism I |
3 |
PES 341 |
Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics |
3 |
PES 481 |
Senior Seminar |
2 |
Total PES core courses.....................33
Core courses from other Areas:
Math 135 |
Calculus I |
4 credits |
In addition, students must meet: 12 hour area requirements from both Humanities and Social Sciences. The degree requires a minimum of 128 hours for graduation, of which a minimum of 45 hours must be upper division. Furthermore, the department requires a grade of C or better in every physics course that is applied toward the graduation requirements. Students may take a maximum of 54 credits in PES which will apply toward the degree. |
Math 136 |
Calculus II |
4 |
Math 235 |
Calculus III |
3 |
Math 340 |
Differential Equations |
3 |
CS 105,106,107, 112 |
Programming Language |
3 |
Chem 103 |
General Chemistry I (with lab) |
5 |
Chem 106 |
General Chemistry II (with lab) |
5 |
Engl 131 |
Composition I |
3 |
Engl 141 |
Composition II |
3 |
Engl 307 or 309 |
Business Writing or Technical Writing |
3 |
In addition to the above core requirements, students will complete one of three options:
Traditional Physics
Solid State Physics
Energy Science
Total from other areas core courses... 37
Traditional Physics Option
This option requires a minimum of 12 hours of PES courses in addition to the core.
Required Courses:
PES 332 |
Electricity and Magnetism II |
3 credits |
PES 425 |
Quantum Mechanics I |
3 |
PES 451 |
Optics |
3 |
PES 325 |
Mathematical Methods of Physics |
3 |
A minimum of 3 credit hours from the following PES courses must be taken:
Elective Courses:
PES 306 |
Astrophysics |
3 credits |
This option requires a minimum of 12 hours of PES courses in addition to the core.
Also, the Traditional Physics Option requires a minimum of 3 upper-division hours of mathematics in addition to Math 340. |
PES 370 |
Acoustics |
2 |
PES 395, 396, 397 |
Special Topics |
variable (6 max) |
PES 415 |
Solid State Physics Lab |
2 |
PES 426 |
Quantum Mechanics II |
3 |
PES 430 |
Celestial Mechanics I |
3 |
PES 446 |
Solid State Physics |
3 |
PES 485 |
Senior Project |
variable (6 max) |
Solid State Physics Option
This option requires the following 14 hours of PES courses in addition to the core.
Required Courses
PES 325 |
Mathematical Methods of Physics |
3 credits |
PES 332 |
Electricity and Magnetism |
3 |
PES 415 |
Solid State Physics Lab |
2 |
PES 425 |
Quantum Mechanics I |
3 |
PES 446 |
Solid State Physics |
3 |
Total hours in this group: 14
This option also requires the completion of a minimum of 6 hours from the following technical electives:
Elective Courses
PES 426 |
Quantum Mechanics II |
3 credits |
PES 449 |
Physics of Thin Films |
3 |
Chem 301 |
Materials Science |
3 |
Chem 451 |
Physical Chemistry I |
4 |
Chem 452 |
Physical Chemistry II |
4 |
ECE 2410 |
Logic Circuits |
3 |
ECE 2420 |
Logic Circuits Laboratory |
2 |
ECE 4020 |
Intro to Semiconductor Devices |
3 |
Math 381 |
Probability Theory |
3 |
Math 445 |
Complex Variables |
3 |
Math 447 |
Partial Differential Equations |
3 |
CS 316 |
Concepts of Programming Languages |
3 |
CS 472 |
Design and Analysis of Algorithms |
3 |
CS 460 |
Numerical Computing |
3 |
Energy Science Option
This option requires the following 10 hours of courses in addition to the core coures.
Required Courses
PES 250 |
Energy Fundamentals |
3 |
Econ 101 |
Microeconomics |
3 |
Geol 101 |
Physical Geology (with lab) |
4 |
Students in this option are also required to complete 9 hours from the following technical electives.
PES 332 |
Electricity and Magnetism II |
3 |
PES 361 |
Solar Engineering Design |
3 |
PES 365 |
Nuclear Physics and Energy Technology |
3 |
PES 367 |
Wind Energy |
3 |
PES 460 |
Advanced Solar Energy |
3 |
Geol 312 |
Structural Geology I |
5 |
GES 320 |
Practical Meteorology |
4 |
GES 406 |
Introduction to Remote Sensing |
4 |
GES 409 |
Advanced Remote Sensing |
4 |
Student may earn a minor in physics by taking
PES 111 |
General Physics I |
4 credits |
PES 112 |
General Physics II |
4 |
PES 213 |
General Physics III |
3 |
PES 313 |
Modern Physics |
3 |
and any other six hours of upper-division physics courses. This is a total of 20 hours. A grade of C or better is required in all of these courses.
Minor in Energy Science
| The Energy Science Program is intended to be taken as a minor with various technical and non-technical degrees. Energy science courses are also intended to supplement degree programs including, but not limited to geography, geology, engineering and economics. Interested students are urged to discuss the program with their major advisers.
The Energy Science Program is designed to prepare students to appreciate (and possibly find jobs in) alternate energy sources. Specifically, courses are offered in solar energy, wind energy, nuclear energy, and related fields such as remote sensing and climatology.
Depending on a student's background, a minor may be obtained which requires knowledge of calculus or courses may be selected to provide a less mathematical minor. The specific requirements are:
Students must take either ENSC 150/151 or ENSC 250.
Students must take ENSC 160 and 162.
Students must select additional courses from the following list of electives. The combination of required courses and electives must total a minimum pf 18 credit hours, or which, at least 9 credit hours must be upper division.
Elective Courses:
| PES 213 |
General Physics III |
3 credits |
| PES 313 |
Modern Physics |
3 |
| PES 318 |
Instrumentation Lab II |
2 |
| PES 341 |
Thermodynamics and Stat. Mech. |
3 |
| ENSC/PES 361 |
Solar Energy Design |
3 |
| ENSC/PES 365 |
Nuclear Physics and Energy |
3 |
| ENSC/PES 367 |
Alternative Energy Sources |
3 |
| ENSC/PES 460 |
Advanced Solar Energy |
3 |
| ENSC/Geol 312 |
Structural Geology I |
5 |
| ENSC/GES 320 |
Practical Meteorology |
4 |
| ENSC/GES 406 |
Introduction to Remote Sensing |
4 |
| ENSC/GES 409 |
Advanced Remote Sensing |
4 |
|
Information on this page is subject to change and is not official. Consult the UCCS Course Bulletin for official information.
Detailed information on each course can be found on our Course Information page . |
