Physics Major: Pure & Applied Track

Students should consult with an advisor before choosing a major track in physics. This track is intended for those preparing for graduate school, teaching careers, or careers in industry or applied physics. Students preparing for employment in an interdisciplinary area, such as environmental, geophysical, or energy study, can choose to add an appropriate minor or arrange a specific major program on an individual basis, as approved by an advisor.

TYPICAL CURRICULUM FOR BS (PHYSICS, TRACK 1)

A sample curriculum for a Track 1 major follows; this sample is not intended as a mandatory schedule, but is provided only to give the student a standard by which to judge his or her progress and to indicate which semesters the required upper-division classes are offered.

FRESHMAN YEAR

Fall Semester — 15 Credit Hours:

• MATH 1401. Calculus I, 4 credit hours
• PHYS 2311. General Physics I: Calculus-based, 4 credit hours
• PHYS 2321. General Physics Lab I, 1 credit hour
• Core Course, 3 credit hours
• Core Course, 3 credit hours

Spring Semester — 15 Credit Hours:

• MATH 2411. Calculus II, 4 credit hours
• PHYS 2331. General Physics II: Calculus-based, 4 credit hours
• PHYS 2341. General Physics Lab II, 1 credit hour
• Core Course, 3 credit hours
• Core Course, 3 credit hours

SOPHOMORE YEAR

Fall Semester — 15 credit hours:

• MATH 2421. Calculus III, 4 credit hours
• PHYS 2811. Modern Physics I, 4 credit hours
• PHYS 2711. Vibrations and Waves, 3 credit hours
• Core Course, 3 credit hours
• Elective, 4 credit hours

Spring Semester — 19 credit hours:

• MATH 3195. Linear Algebra and Differential Equations 4 credit hours
• PHYS 3411. Thermal Physics, 3 credit hours
• Core Course, 3 credit hours
• Core Course, 3 credit hours
• Electives, 6 credit hours

JUNIOR YEAR

Fall Semester — 15 credit hours:

• PHYS 3120. Methods of Mathematical Physics, 3 credit hours
• PHYS 3211. Analytical Mechanics, 4 credit hours
• PHYS 3711. Junior Lab I, 2 credit hours
• Core Course, 3 credit hours
• Upper-division elective, 3 credit hours

Spring Semester — 15 credit hours:

• PHYS 3721. Junior Lab II, 2 credit hours
• PHYS 3811. Quantum Mechanics, 3 credit hours
• Core Course, 3 credit hours
• Upper-division electives, 7 credit hours

SENIOR YEAR

Fall Semester, — 15 credit hours

• PHYS 4331. Principles of Electricity and Magnetism, 4 credit hours
• PHYS 4650. Solid State Physics, 3 credit hours
  –or–
  PHYS 4810. Atomic and Molecular Structure, 3 credit hours
• PHYS 4711. Senior Lab I, 2 credit hours
• Core Course, 3 credit hours
• Upper-division elective, 3 credit hours

Spring Semester — 14 credit hours

• PHYS 3820. Subatomic Physics, 3 credit hours
  –or–
  PHYS 4510. Optics, 3 credit hours
• PHYS 4721. Senior Lab II, 2 credit hours
• Core Course, 3 credit hours
• Core Course, 3 credit hours
• Upper-division elective, 3 credit hours

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR

Students must declare their intention to major in physics by the time they have completed 60 semester hours, and complete between 47 and 49 credit hours in physics (depending on the track chosen) to receive the degree of bachelor of science in physics. No grade below a C (2.0) can be used to meet the requirements for the major. At least 12 credit hours of the requirements for the major must be completed at CU-Denver.

A senior thesis is required for all students wishing to graduate with departmental honors. For all other students, the faculty encourages a senior thesis or project.

Required Physics Courses Common To All Tracks

Required Physic Courses (26 credit hours)

• PHYS 2311. General Physics I: Calculus-Based, 4 credit hours
• PHYS 2331. General Physics II: Calculus-Based, 4 credit hours
• PHYS 2371. Topic-Driven Physics Lab, 3 credit hours
• PHYS 2711. Vibrations and Waves, 3 credit hours
• PHYS 2811. Modern Physics, 4 credit hours
• PHYS 3120. Methods of Mathematical Physics, 3 credit hours
• PHYS 3711. Junior Lab I, 2 credit hours
• PHYS 3811. Quantum Mechanics, 3 credit hour

Note: the department will accept the following combination of independent study and introductory lab courses in lieu of PHYS 2371. However,PHYS 2371 is strongly recommended because it provides explicit preparation for upper division lab courses.

PHYS 1840. Independent Study, 1 credit hour
PHYS 2321. General Physics Lab 1, 1 credit hour
PHYS 2341. General Physics Lab II, 1 credit hour

Required ancillary courses (16 credit hours):

• MATH 1401. Calculus I, 4 credit hours
• MATH 2411. Calculus II, 4 credit hours
• MATH 2421. Calculus III, 4 credit hours
• MATH 3195. Linear Algebra and Differential Equations, 4 credit hours

Note: the department will accept the following combination of math courses in place of MATH 3195

MATH 3191. Applied Linear Algebra, 3 credit hours
MATH 3200. Elementary Differential Equations, 3 credits

Required Courses Specific to Pure & Applied Physics (Track 1) (21 credit hours)

PHYS 3211. Analytical Mechanics, 4 credit hours
PHYS 3411. Thermal Physics, 3 credit hours
PHYS 3721. Junior Lab II, 2 credit hours
PHYS 4711. Senior Lab I, 2 credit hours
PHYS 4331*. Principles of Electricity and Magnetism, 4 credit hours
Physics-related electives at 3000 level or above approved by advisor
    (including 3 credits of independent study), 6 credit hours

TOTAL CREDIT HOURS FOR TRACK 1

Required physics courses      47
Required ancillary courses    16

*NOTE: students who must retake PHYS 4331 may fulfill this requirement by obtaining a C or better in PHYS 4351 Bioelectromagnetism.