Department of Physical Sciences

Bachelor of Science in Physical Science

The baccalaureate degree in physical science offers a program of study in which the student can elect a major emphasis in the physical sciences department. The curriculum is designed with enough flexibility so that students may prepare for a number of professions that require technical skills and a broad physical sciences background. It is well suited for students anticipating the teaching of science in the secondary schools and for students planning a military career as it affords a desirable general scientific background.

To qualify for a baccalaureate degree in physical science, the student must complete the following minimum number of semester hours: eight hours in biology, eight hours in chemistry, eleven hours in physics, four hours in geology, and eleven hours in mathematics. The student must also complete additional hours in four of the following subject areas: chemistry, engineering, geology, mathematics, physics, and physical science (BIOL/ENVS/PHSC 1004 Principles of Environmental Science, PHSC 1013 Introduction to Physical Science,PHSC 1021 Physical Science Laboratory, GEOL 1004 Essentials of Earth Science may not be counted in these hours).

Curriculum

The matrix below is a sample plan for all coursework required for this program.

•  Freshman

  Fall		Spring
  ENGL 1013 Composition I1	3	ENGL 1023 Composition II1	3
  BIOL Elective	4	Social Sciences1	3
  MATH 1113 College Algebra	3	MATH 2914 Calculus IT	4
  CHEM 2124 General Chemistry I	4	CHEM 2134 General Chemistry II	4
  PHSC 1001 Orientation to Physical Science	1	PHSC 1011 Orientation to Physical Science II	1
  Total Hours	15	Total Hours	15

•  Sophomore

  Fall		Spring
  Fine Arts & Humanities1	3	Fine Arts & Humanities1	3
  Social Sciences1	3	U.S. History/Government1	3
  MATH 2924 Calculus II	4	BIOL Elective	4
  PHYS 2014 Physical Principles I or PHYS 2114 General Physics I	4	PHYS 2024 Physical Principles II or PHYS 2124 General Physics II	4
  GEOL 1014 Physical Geology	4
  Total Hours	18	Total Hours	14

•  Junior

  Fall		Spring
  COMS 2803 Programming in C	3	Social Sciences/Fine Arts/Humanities/Communication1	3
  PHYS 3213 Modern Physics or Elective (3000-4000 level)3	3	PHSC/MATH/ENGR Elective2	3
  PHSC 3053 Astronomy	3	PHSC/MATH Elective (3000-4000 level)2	6
  PHSC/MATH/ENGR Elective2	3	Elective	3
  PHSC/MATH Elective (3000-4000 level)2	4
  Total Hours	16	Total Hours	15

•  Senior

  Fall		Spring
  PHYS 3213 Modern Physics or Elective(3000-4000 level)3	3	PHSC 3033 Meteorology	3
  Elective(3000-4000 level)	11	PHSC/MATH Elective (3000-4000 level)2	7
  		Elective	3
  Total Hours	14	Total Hours	13

¹See appropriate alternatives or substitutions in "General Education Requirements". A specific general education core course does not have to be taken in the semester listed, any other part of the general education core at any time is acceptable as well.
²Excluding GEOL 1004 Essentials of Earth Science, MATH 3003 Foundations of Number Systems, MATH 3033 Methods of Teaching Elementary Mathematics, MATH 4113 History of Mathematics, BIOL/ENVS/PHSC 1004 Principles of Environmental Science, PHSC 1013 Introduction to Physical Science, and PHSC 1021 Physical Science Laboratory.
³Must complete both the PHYS class and one upper division elective (PHYS course offered in alternating years) (upper division = 3000-4000 level)