BS in Physics
(59–62 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.
   
   
   Course Outcomes
   
   
   
   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:	MATH 112 & PHSCS 121
   DESCRIPTION:	Waves, thermal physics, optics, special relativity, and introduction to modern physics. Weekly lab.
   
   
   Course Outcomes
   
   
   
   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.
   
   
   Course Outcomes
   
   
   
   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.
   
   
   Course Outcomes
   
   
   
   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.
   
   
   Course Outcomes
   
   
   
   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.
   
   
   Course Outcomes
   
   
   
   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.
   
   
   Course Outcomes
   
   
   
   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:	MATH 112 & MATH 113
   DESCRIPTION:	Introduction to numerical and symbolic computation and graphical analysis using a symbolic mathematics program. Applications to mechanics, optics, and special relativity.
   
   
   Course Outcomes
   
   
   
   PHSCS 240 : Design, Fabrication, and Use of Scientific Apparatus. (2:0:6)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   PHSCS 240 : Design, Fabrication, and Use of Scientific Apparatus. (2:0:6)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   WHEN TAUGHT:	Fall; Winter
   PREREQUISITE:	PHSCS 123 & PHSCS 145
   DESCRIPTION:	Machining, computer interfacing, controls, and vacuum systems.
   
   
   Course Outcomes
   
   
   
   PHSCS 245 : Experiments in Contemporary Physics. (2:0:6)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   PHSCS 245 : Experiments in Contemporary Physics. (2:0:6)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   WHEN TAUGHT:	Winter; Spring
   PREREQUISITE:	PHSCS 220 & PHSCS 240
   DESCRIPTION:	In-depth, multi-period experiments in contemporary physics, using advanced instrumentation.
   
   
   Course Outcomes
   
   
   
   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 2
   PREREQUISITE:	Phscs 191 or concurrently enrollment.
   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.
   
   
   Course Outcomes
   
   
   
   PHSCS 318 : Introduction to Mathematical Physics. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   PHSCS 318 : Introduction to Mathematical Physics. (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:	Partial differential equations, classical field equations, algebra of complex variables, Fourier analysis, integral transforms, and orthogonal functions.
   
   
   Course Outcomes
   
   
   
   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.
   
   
   Course Outcomes
   
   
   
   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.
   
   
   Course Outcomes
   
   
   
   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.
   
   
   Course Outcomes
   
   
   
   PHSCS 430 : Computational Physics Lab 3. (1:0:3)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   PHSCS 430 : Computational Physics Lab 3. (1:0:3)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
   
   WHEN TAUGHT:	Winter; Summer
   PREREQUISITE:	PHSCS 222 & PHSCS 318 & PHSCS 330
   DESCRIPTION:	Static and dynamic boundary value problems, partial differential equations. Applications in electrostatics, thermodynamics, waves, and quantum mechanics. Programming with Matlab.
   
   
   Course Outcomes
   
   
   
   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.
   
   
   Course Outcomes
   
   
   
   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.
   
   
   Course Outcomes
   
   
   
   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.
   
   
   Course Outcomes
   
   
   
   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.
   
   
   Course Outcomes
   
   
   
   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.
   
   
   Course Outcomes
   
   
   
   
   
   Note: Phscs 191 should be taken the first semester as a freshman. Phscs 291 should be taken the first semester as a sophomore.
3. 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.
   
   
   Course Outcomes
   
   
   
   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.
   
   
   Course Outcomes
   
   
   
   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.
   
   
   Course Outcomes
   
   
   
   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
   RECOMMENDED:	Math 290.
   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)
   
   
   Course Outcomes
   
   
   
   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.
   
   
   Course Outcomes
   
   
   
4. 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.
   
   
   Course Outcomes
   
   
   
   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.
   
   
   Course Outcomes
   
   
   
5. Complete a senior thesis, including the following:
   1. Choose a research mentor and group as early as possible, starting with information in Phscs 191 and 291, and discussions with faculty, your advisor, and senior thesis coordinator. It is best to start as a freshman or sophomore. Interdisciplinary work in other departments or in internships is possible.
   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.
      
      
      Course Outcomes
      
      
      

• Note 1: Students planning careers in experimental, applied, or industrial physics should complete STAT 201.
• Note 2: Students planning careers in computational physics should, through courses or individual study, learn programming skills and numerical methods beyond what you are taught in our computational physics courses. Consider the following: CS 142, MATH 410, ME EN 373.
• Note 3: Students planning graduate school in physics should learn complex analysis. Consider the following: MATH 332, PHSCS 601, 602.

*Hours include courses that may fulfill university core requirements.

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