The Physics Major

Valparaiso University offers a major in physics which in intended to provide the education required for students to pursue a wide range of careers either after graduate school or directly after graduation from Valparaiso University. Students who are interested in astronomy complete the physics major with an emphasis in astronomy. As noted on the degree programs main page, there are various other emphases within the physics major program.

The physics major is a minimum of 28 s.h. for a B.A degree and a minimum of 32 s.h. for a B.S. degree. Below, we list all of the courses which can be applied toward the physics major. We have noted those courses which are required and those which are elective. The total number of required courses is 25 s.h. You are encouraged to investigate the different Options to Concentrate in the physics major to see how you can best focus your selection of courses.

Some helpful explanatory notes are found at the end of this table.

Course Title
Semester
Semester
Required

Suggested
hours
Elective

PHYS-109 Physics: Mechanics - Statics
E/P
3
Elective

PHYS-141 Physics: Mechanics and Heat (or PHYS-151)
1
3
Required

PHYS-141L Experimental Physics I (Laboratory)
1
1
Required

PHYS-142 Physics: Electricity, Magnetism and Waves (or PHYS-152)
2
3
Required

PHYS-142L Experimental Physics II (Laboratory)
2
1
Required

PHYS-151 Physics: Mechanics and Heat - Honors
1
3
(Required)

PHYS-152 Physics: Electricity, Magnetism and Waves - Honors
2
3
(Required)

PHYS-215 Mechanics of Materials
E/P
3
Elective

PHYS-243 Physics: Atoms, Nuclei, and the Solid State
3
3
Required

PHYS-245 Experimental Physics III (Laboratory)
4
1
Required

PHYS-250 Analytical Mechanics
4
3
Required

PHYS-252 Materials Science
3
1
Elective

PHYS-281 Electricity and Electronics
3
3
Required

PHYS-310 Data Reduction and Error Analysis
4
1
Required

PHYS-320 Microprocessor Applications
E/P
4
Elective

PHYS-333 Mechanical Measurements Laboratory
E/P
4
Elective

PHYS-342 Electronics
E/P
4
Elective

PHYS-345 Experimental Physics IV (Laboratory)
5
1
Required

PHYS-360 Thermal Physics (Spring, odd years)
6 or 8
3
Elective

PHYS-371 Electromagnetic Fields
5
3
Required

PHYS-372 Electromagnetic Waves (Spring, odd years)
6 or 8
3
Elective

PHYS-381 Advanced Mechanics (Fall, even years)
5 or 7
3
Elective

PHYS-421 Quantum Mechanics I (Fall, odd years)
5 or 7
3
Elective

PHYS-422 Quantum Mechanics II (Spring, even years)
6 or 8
3
Elective

PHYS-430 Nuclear and Particle Physics (Spring, even years)
6 or 8
3
Elective

PHYS-430L Nuclear and Particle Physics (Laboratory) (Spring, even years)
6 or 8
1
Elective

PHYS-440 Condensed Matter Physics (Spring, odd years)
6 or 8
3
Elective

PHYS-445 Experimental Physics V (Senior Research in Physics)
7 and 8
2
Required

PHYS-492 Research and Reading in Physics
--
1-3
Elective

PHYS-499 Physics Colloquium
All
0
Required

ASTR-101 Astronomy
1
3
Elective

ASTR-221 Observational Astronomy (Spring, odd years)
2 or 4
1
Elective

ASTR-252 Astrophysics (Spring, even years)
4 or 6
3
Elective

ASTR-445 Experimental Astronomy (Senior Research in Astronomy)
7 and 8
2
Elective

NOTES:

  • You may view University Catalog descriptions of these courses.
  • You may view the entire University Catalog.
  • You may view current www pages for many of these courses.
  • There are a total of 25 s.h. (out of a minimum of 32 s.h.) of rquired couses in the physics major.
  • The courses which are included in, and count toward the physics major program are shown in the table. The Honors courses may be substituted for their equivalent:151 for (141) and 152 for (142) if the student meets the entrance requirments
  • Courses whose "Suggested Semester" reads "5 or 7", or "6 or 8", etc., imply that the course is taught in alternate years. Note the semester in which the course is normally taught and select the correct semester for your program.
  • Courses whose "Suggested Semester" reads E/P implies that these are courses cross listed with the College of Engineering.
  • Specific courses of study are worked out with your department faculty academic advisor each semester.

You will find more details about options within the major program of study from the degree programs main page.

Return to Degree Programs main page

Please forward questions, comments, or suggestions to us at physics@valpo.edu .
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