BS in Physics-Astronomy
(66–69 hours*)

Program Requirements    |    View MAP

1. No more than 3 hours of D credit is allowed in major courses.
2. Complete the following:
   PHSCS 121 : Principles of Physics 1. (3:3:1)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   PHSCS 121 : Principles of Physics 1. (3:3:1)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   WHEN TAUGHT:	Fall; Winter; Spring
   PREREQUISITE:	Calculus or concurrent enrollment.
   DESCRIPTION:	Newtonian mechanics. Weekly lab.
   
   
   PHSCS 123 : Principles of Physics 2. (3:3:1)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   PHSCS 123 : Principles of Physics 2. (3:3:1)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   WHEN TAUGHT:	Fall; Winter; Spring
   PREREQUISITE:	PHSCS 121
   DESCRIPTION:	Waves, thermal physics, optics, special relativity, and introduction to modern physics. Weekly lab.
   
   
   PHSCS 127 : Descriptive Astronomy. (3:3:1)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   PHSCS 127 : Descriptive Astronomy. (3:3:1)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	Honors also.
   WHEN TAUGHT:	Fall; Winter; Spring
   DESCRIPTION:	Nonmathematical presentation of knowledge of the content and history of the cosmos, frequently using observatory and planetarium.
   
   
   PHSCS 140 : Electronics Lab. (1:1:2)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   PHSCS 140 : Electronics Lab. (1:1:2)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   WHEN TAUGHT:	Fall; Spring
   DESCRIPTION:	Introduction to analog and digital circuits.
   
   
   PHSCS 145 : Experimental Methods in Physics. (1:0:3)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   PHSCS 145 : Experimental Methods in Physics. (1:0:3)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   WHEN TAUGHT:	Winter; Summer
   PREREQUISITE:	PHSCS 121 & PHSCS 140
   DESCRIPTION:	Introduction to physical measurement and analysis, optics, sensors, actuators, and computer-based data acquisition.
   
   
   PHSCS 191 : Introduction to Physics Careers and Research 1. (.5:1:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   PHSCS 191 : Introduction to Physics Careers and Research 1. (.5:1:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   WHEN TAUGHT:	Fall Blk 1
   DESCRIPTION:	Survey of BYU undergraduate physics and astronomy programs, careers in physics and astronomy, and current physics and astronomy research.
   NOTE:	Take first semester after registered as physics major.
   
   
   PHSCS 220 : Principles of Physics 3. (3:3:1)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   PHSCS 220 : Principles of Physics 3. (3:3:1)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   WHEN TAUGHT:	Fall; Winter; Summer
   PREREQUISITE:	Phscs 121 or equivalent; Math 113 or equivalent.
   DESCRIPTION:	Electricity and magnetism. Weekly lab.
   
   
   PHSCS 222 : Modern Physics. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   PHSCS 222 : Modern Physics. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   WHEN TAUGHT:	Fall; Winter
   PREREQUISITE:	PHSCS 121 & PHSCS 123 & PHSCS 220
   DESCRIPTION:	Quantum physics, atoms, molecules, condensed matter, nuclei, elementary particles, and selected topics in contemporary physics.
   
   
   PHSCS 227 : Solar System Astronomy. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   PHSCS 227 : Solar System Astronomy. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   WHEN TAUGHT:	Fall
   PREREQUISITE:	PHSCS 121 & PHSCS 123; Phscs 127 or proficiency exam; Math 113 or concurrent enrollment.
   DESCRIPTION:	Physics of light and matter, Newton's laws, solar-system dynamics, and planetary surfaces and atmospheres.
   
   
   PHSCS 228 : Stellar and Extragalactic Astronomy. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   PHSCS 228 : Stellar and Extragalactic Astronomy. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   WHEN TAUGHT:	Winter
   PREREQUISITE:	MATH 113 & PHSCS 227
   DESCRIPTION:	Stellar atmospheres, stellar interiors, stellar evolution, interstellar matter, galactic structure, external galaxies, and cosmology.
   
   
   PHSCS 230 : Computational Physics Lab 1. (1:0:3)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   PHSCS 230 : Computational Physics Lab 1. (1:0:3)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   WHEN TAUGHT:	Fall; Winter
   PREREQUISITE:	Phscs 220 or concurrent enrollment.
   DESCRIPTION:	Numerical and symbolic differentiation, integration, and differential equations, using Maple. Applications in mechanics, optics, and special relativity.
   
   
   PHSCS 291 : Introduction to Physics Careers and Research 2. (.5:1:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   PHSCS 291 : Introduction to Physics Careers and Research 2. (.5:1:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   WHEN TAUGHT:	Fall Blk 1
   DESCRIPTION:	Career opportunities for physicists in industry, interdisciplinary research, national labs and observatories, and professions such as medicine, law, and business. Personal planning for research or internship involvement.
   NOTE:	Take first semester as a sophomore. May be enrolled concurrently with Phscs 191.
   
   
   PHSCS 318 : Introduction to Classical Field Theory. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   PHSCS 318 : Introduction to Classical Field Theory. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   WHEN TAUGHT:	Fall; Winter; Spring
   PREREQUISITE:	MATH 303 & PHSCS 230; or MATH 334 & PHSCS 230
   DESCRIPTION:	Classical equations of physical fields; algebra of complex variables; applying Fourier analysis, Fourier transforms, and orthogonal functions.
   
   
   PHSCS 321 : Mechanics. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   PHSCS 321 : Mechanics. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   WHEN TAUGHT:	Fall; Spring
   PREREQUISITE:	PHSCS 121 & PHSCS 230; Math 303 or 334 or concurrent enrollment.
   RECOMMENDED:	Concurrent enrollment in Phscs 330.
   DESCRIPTION:	Newton's laws applied to particles and systems of particles, including rigid bodies. Conservation principles and Lagrange's and Hamilton's equations.
   
   
   PHSCS 329 : Observational Astronomy. (3:2:4)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   PHSCS 329 : Observational Astronomy. (3:2:4)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   WHEN TAUGHT:	Winter
   PREREQUISITE:	Phscs 127 or proficiency exam.
   DESCRIPTION:	Basic techniques of observational astronomy, emphasizing practical experience in optical data acquisition and analysis.
   
   
   PHSCS 330 : Computational Physics Lab 2. (1:0:3)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   PHSCS 330 : Computational Physics Lab 2. (1:0:3)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   WHEN TAUGHT:	Fall; Spring
   PREREQUISITE:	PHSCS 230; Phscs 321 or concurrent enrollment; Math 303 or 334 or equivalent.
   DESCRIPTION:	Numerical solution of ordinary differential equations, linear algebra and eigenvalues, chaos theory. Applications to dynamics. Introduction to programming in Matlab.
   
   
   PHSCS 427 : Introduction to Astrophysics. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   PHSCS 427 : Introduction to Astrophysics. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   WHEN TAUGHT:	Fall
   PREREQUISITE:	PHSCS 227 & PHSCS 228
   DESCRIPTION:	Principles and observational techniques of astrophysics.
   
   
   PHSCS 428 : Introduction to Astrophysics. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   PHSCS 428 : Introduction to Astrophysics. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   WHEN TAUGHT:	Winter
   PREREQUISITE:	PHSCS 227 & PHSCS 228
   DESCRIPTION:	Principles and observational techniques of astrophysics.
   
   
   PHSCS 441 : Electrostatics and Magnetism. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   PHSCS 441 : Electrostatics and Magnetism. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   WHEN TAUGHT:	Fall; Spring
   PREREQUISITE:	PHSCS 220 & PHSCS 318
   DESCRIPTION:	Classical theory of static electric and magnetic fields.
   
   
   PHSCS 451 : Quantum Mechanics. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   PHSCS 451 : Quantum Mechanics. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   WHEN TAUGHT:	Fall
   PREREQUISITE:	Phscs 222, 318; or equivalents.
   DESCRIPTION:	Analytical foundations of quantum mechanics.
   
   
   
   Note: Phscs 191 and 292 should be taken the first semester as a sophomore. May be taken concurrently.
3. Complete two courses from the following:
   PHSCS 360 : Statistical and Thermal Physics. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   PHSCS 360 : Statistical and Thermal Physics. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   WHEN TAUGHT:	Winter
   PREREQUISITE:	PHSCS 222 & MATH 303; or PHSCS 222 & MATH 334
   DESCRIPTION:	Principles of statistical mechanics and thermodynamics, with applications.
   
   
   PHSCS 442 : Electrodynamics. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   PHSCS 442 : Electrodynamics. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   WHEN TAUGHT:	Winter; Summer
   PREREQUISITE:	PHSCS 441
   DESCRIPTION:	Maxwell's equations, radiation, interaction of electromagnetic fields with matter, and special relativity.
   
   
   PHSCS 452 : Applications of Quantum Mechanics. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   PHSCS 452 : Applications of Quantum Mechanics. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   WHEN TAUGHT:	Winter
   PREREQUISITE:	PHSCS 451
   DESCRIPTION:	Applications of quantum mechanics to atomic, molecular, statistical, condensed-matter, and nuclear physics; elementary particles.
   
   
   PHSCS 471 : Principles of Optics. (3:3:1)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   PHSCS 471 : Principles of Optics. (3:3:1)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   WHEN TAUGHT:	Winter; Summer
   PREREQUISITE:	PHSCS 123 & PHSCS 220; Math 303 or 334 or concurrent enrollment.
   RECOMMENDED:	Phscs 318.
   DESCRIPTION:	Electromagnetic wave phenomena, including polarization effects, interference, coherence, dispersion, ray theory, diffraction; introduction to quantum nature of light. Laboratory component emphasizes applications.
   
   
4. Complete one of the following options:
   Either
   MATH 113 : Calculus 2. (4:5:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   MATH 113 : Calculus 2. (4:5:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	Honors also.
   WHEN TAUGHT:	Fall; Winter; Spring; Summer
   PREREQUISITE:	Math 112 or equivalent.
   DESCRIPTION:	Techniques and applications of integration; sequences, series, convergence tests, power series; parametric equations; polar coordinates.
   
   
   MATH 302 : Mathematics for Engineering 1. (4:4:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   MATH 302 : Mathematics for Engineering 1. (4:4:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   WHEN TAUGHT:	Fall; Winter
   PREREQUISITE:	MATH 113; Passing grade on required preparatory exam taken during first week of class. (Practice exams available on class web site).
   DESCRIPTION:	Multivariable calculus, linear algebra, and numerical methods.
   
   
   Or
   MATH 113 : Calculus 2. (4:5:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   MATH 113 : Calculus 2. (4:5:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	Honors also.
   WHEN TAUGHT:	Fall; Winter; Spring; Summer
   PREREQUISITE:	Math 112 or equivalent.
   DESCRIPTION:	Techniques and applications of integration; sequences, series, convergence tests, power series; parametric equations; polar coordinates.
   
   
   MATH 313 : Elementary Linear Algebra. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   MATH 313 : Elementary Linear Algebra. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   OFFERED:	Honors also.
   WHEN TAUGHT:	Fall; Winter; Spring; Summer
   PREREQUISITE:	MATH 112; or MATH 119
   DESCRIPTION:	Linear systems, matrices, vectors and vector spaces, linear transformations, determinants, inner product spaces, eigenvalues, and eigenvectors.
   
             : Honors Elementary Linear Algebra. (3:3:1)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   
   MATH 314 : Calculus of Several Variables. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   MATH 314 : Calculus of Several Variables. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   WHEN TAUGHT:	Fall; Winter; Spring; Summer
   PREREQUISITE:	MATH 313
   DESCRIPTION:	Partial differentiation, the Jacobian matrix, and integral theorems of vector calculus.
   
   
5. Complete one course from the following:
   MATH 303 : Mathematics for Engineering 2. (4:4:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   MATH 303 : Mathematics for Engineering 2. (4:4:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   WHEN TAUGHT:	Fall; Winter
   PREREQUISITE:	MATH 302; or MATH 314
   DESCRIPTION:	ODEs, Laplace transforms, Fourier series, PDEs.
   
   
   MATH 334 : Ordinary Differential Equations. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   MATH 334 : Ordinary Differential Equations. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   WHEN TAUGHT:	Fall; Winter; Spring; Summer
   PREREQUISITE:	MATH 113 & MATH 313
   DESCRIPTION:	Methods and theory of ordinary differential equations.
   
   
6. Complete a senior thesis, including the following:
   1. Meet with department undergraduate research coordinator early in the junior year or before to obtain information about research projects and senior thesis procedures.
   2. Complete two hours of the following
      PHSCS 498R : Senior Thesis. (.5-3:0:ARR)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      
      PHSCS 498R : Senior Thesis. (.5-3:0:ARR)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      
      WHEN TAUGHT:	Fall; Winter; Spring; Summer
      DESCRIPTION:	Conducting and reporting research under a department faculty mentor or other professionals.
      NOTE:	Thesis topic must be cleared by faculty member before registration.
      
      

7. Take a department exit examination in the senior year.

Recommended Course

C S 142 : Introduction to Computer Programming. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)

C S 142 : Introduction to Computer Programming. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)

WHEN TAUGHT:	Fall; Winter; Spring
PREREQUISITE:	Knowledge of algebra.
DESCRIPTION:	Introduction to object-oriented program design and development. Principles of algorithm formulation and implementation.


EC EN 124 : (EC En-C S) Introduction to Computing Systems. (3:3:2)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)

EC EN 124 : (EC En-C S) Introduction to Computing Systems. (3:3:2)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)

WHEN TAUGHT:	Fall; Winter; Spring
PREREQUISITE:	C S 142 or concurrent enrollment.
DESCRIPTION:	How a computer works, from hardware to high-level programming: logic circuits, computer instructions, assembly language, binary arithmetic, C programming, program translation, data structures, algorithm analysis.


STAT 121 : Principles of Statistics. (3:3:1)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)

STAT 121 : Principles of Statistics. (3:3:1)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)

OFFERED:	Independent Study also; Honors also.
WHEN TAUGHT:	Fall; Winter; Spring; Summer
RECOMMENDED:	MATH 110 or equivalent.
DESCRIPTION:	Stemplots, boxplots, histograms, scatterplots; central tendency, variability; confidence intervals and hypothesis testing involving one and two means and proportions; contingency tables, simple linear regression.

          : Honors Principles of Statistics.


STAT 201 : Statistics for Engineers and Scientists. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)

STAT 201 : Statistics for Engineers and Scientists. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)

WHEN TAUGHT:	Fall; Winter; Spring
PREREQUISITE:	MATH 112; or MATH 119
DESCRIPTION:	The scientific method; probability, random variables, common discrete and continuous random variables, central limit theorem; confidence intervals and hypothesis testing; completely randomized experiments; factorial experiments.

*Hours include courses that may fulfill university core requirements.

Show all Physics and Astronomy (Phscs) Courses