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The Physics Department offers course work leading to a Bachelor of Science and to a Bachelor of Arts degree. A minor in physics is also offered. Undergraduates preparing for graduate study in physics should pursue the Bachelor of Science in physics. Undergraduates preparing to teach at the pre-collegiate level should obtain the Bachelor of Arts in physics. Those undergraduates preparing to work in industry or considering graduate work in engineering should consult with the Physics Department to determine which degree to pursue. 

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 The Physics Department is taught jointly by the faculties of MSU Denver and the University of Colorado at Denver. MSU Denver students will receive instruction from the faculty of both institutions.


The Physics Department also offers courses in astronomy, which are designed primarily as general interest courses.

         
Physics Major for Bachelor of Science

Required Courses                               Semester Hours

PHY 2311 General Physics I 4
 PHY 2331 General Physics II 4
 PHY 2321 General Physics I Laboratory 1
 PHY 2341 General Physics II Laboratory   1
 PHY 2711     Vibrations, Waves and Math Methods  4
PHY 2811  Modern Physics I   4
PHY 3011   Modern Physics II   3
PHY 3211  Analytical Mechanics   4
PHY 3411   Thermal Physics   3
PHY 3711   Physics Laboratory I 2
PHY 3811 Quantum Physics 4
PHY 4331  Electricity and Magnetism  4
PHY 4611 Computational Physics    3
PHY 4711   Advanced Physics I Laboratory   2
PHY 4921   Physics Senior Seminar   1
   Total 44

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electives

A minimum of five (5) additional semester hours of upper division physics electives taken from one of the following three tracks:

 

  • APPLIED PHYSICS TRACK: Two of the following electives:
    • PHY 4510 - Optics (3 credits)
    • PHY 4650 - Solid State Physics (3 credits)
    • PHY 4721 - Advanced Physics II Laboratory (2 credits)
  • ASTROPHYSICS TRACK: Two of the following electives: 
    •  PHY 3141 - Astronomical Techniques I (3 credits)
    • PHY 4550 - Astrophysics (3 credits)
    • PHY 4560 - Planetary Physics (3 credits)
    • PHY 4950 - General Relativity (3 credits)
  • FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICS TRACK:
    • Any five (5) credits of upper-division electives are allowed, with the exception of PHY 3620 and AST 3040.
    • If all three of PHY 4650, PHY 4810, and PHY 4820 are taken (for 9 credits), then Modern Physics II (PHY 3011, 3 credits) is not required as these classes cover the same material but with a higher level of rigor.

 

Required Ancillary Courses for Bachelor of Science

 

MTH 1410    Calculus I  4
MTH 2410 Calculus II 4
MTH 2420 Calculus III 4
MTH 3420 Differential Equations 4

Total Ancillary Courses Required    16

 

 


Physics Major for Bachelor of Arts

Required Courses                                  Semester Hours

PHY 2311  General Physics I  4
PHY 2331  General Physics II  4
PHY 2321   General Physics I Laboratory  1
PHY 2341   General Physics II Laboratory  1
PHY 2711   Vibrations, Waves and Math Methods   4
PHY 2811   Modern Physics I  4
PHY 3011   Modern Physics II  3
PHY 3711   Physics Laboratory I  2
PHY 4921   Physics Senior Seminar  1
   Subtotal 24

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electives
A minimum of 8 additional semester hours of upper-division physics courses, two (2) of which must be from either PHY4611 (Computational Physics I) or PHY4711 (Senior Lab I).

Subtotal 8
Total

32

 

Required Ancillary Courses for Bachelor of Arts

 

MTH 1410    Calculus I  4
MTH 2410 Calculus II 4

Total Ancillary Courses Required    8

 

Minor in Physics

PHY 2311 General Physics I  4
PHY 2331 General Physics II 4
PHY 2321  General Physics I Laboratory 1
PHY 2341 General Physics II Laboratory  1
PHY 2811  Modern Physics I 4
   Subtotal

14

 

Electives
A minimum of five (5) additional semester hours of upper-division physics courses must be selected from the following list:

  • PHY 2711 - Vibrations, Waves and Mathematical Methods (4 credits)
  • PHY 3011 - Modern Physics II (3 credits)
  • PHY 3120 - Methods of Mathematical Physics (3 credits)
  • PHY 3211 - Analytical Mechanics (4 credits)
  • PHY 3411 - Thermal Physics (3 credits)
  • PHY 3711 - Physics Laboratory I (2 credits)
  • PHY 3721 - Physics Laboratory II (2 credits)
  • PHY 3811 - Quantum Physics (4 credits)
  • PHY 4331 - Electricity and Magnetism (4 credits)
  • PHY 4510 - Optics (3 credits)
  • PHY 4550 - Astrophysics (3 credits)
  • PHY 4611 - Computational Physics (3 credits)
  • PHY 4630 - Continuum Physics (3 credits)
  • PHY 4650 - Solid State Physics (3 credits)
  • PHY 4711 - Advanced Physics I Laboratory (2 credits)
  • PHY 4721 - Adcaned Physics II Laboratory (2 credits)
  • PHY 4810 - Atomic and Molecular Structure (3 credits)
  • PHY 4820 - Subatomic Physics (3 credits)

 

Subtotal    5

 

 

Total         19

Required Ancillary Courses for a Minor

MTH 1410 Calculus I   4
MTH 2410 Calculus II  4
  Total Ancillary Courses Required  8

 

****The one year sequence of PHY2010 - PHY2020 - PHY2030 - PHY2040 may be substituted for the PHY2311 - PHY2331 - PHY2321 - PHY2341 requirements with the consent of the Physics Department.

 


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