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The requirements to obtain the BS in Physics consist of the general College of Science requirements plus the following specific requirements:
Concentrations
The BS in Physics has the following Concentrations:
- Applied Physics Concentration
- Atmospheric Physics Concentration
- Medical Physics Concentration
- Pre-Med Concentration
- Secondary Education 7-12 Physics/Math Certification Concentration
Degree Plan
BS in Physics
Required Credits: 120
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Designated Core (All courses require a grade of C or better) | ||
| Required Courses: 1 | ||
| CHEM 1105 | Laboratory for CHEM 1305 | 1 |
| CHEM 1106 | Laboratory for CHEM 1306 | 1 |
| CHEM 1305 | General Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 1306 | General Chemistry (C) | 3 |
| MATH 1312 | Calculus II | 3 |
| MATH 1411 | Calculus I | 4 |
| University Core Curriculum | ||
| Complete the University Core Curriculum requirements. | 42 | |
| Physics Major | ||
| Required Courses: | ||
| MATH 2313 | Calculus III C | 3 |
| MATH 2326 | Differential Equations C | 3 |
| PHYS 2210 | Vibrations and Waves C | 2 |
| PHYS 2230 | Thermal and Fluid Physics C | 2 |
| PHYS 2325 | Survey of Modern Physics C | 3 |
| PHYS 2420 | Introductory Mechanics C | 4 |
| PHYS 2421 | Introductory Electromagnetism C | 4 |
| PHYS 3280 | Physics Seminar | 2 |
| PHYS 3323 | Physical Optics | 3 |
| PHYS 3331 | Thermal Physics | 3 |
| PHYS 3351 | Analytical Mechanics I | 3 |
| PHYS 3352 | Analytical Mechanics II | 3 |
| PHYS 4341 | Electromagnetics I | 3 |
| PHYS 4342 | Electromagnetics II | 3 |
| PHYS 4355 | Intro Quantum Mechanics | 3 |
| Required: | 4 | |
| PHYS 3243 | Advanced Laboratory Practice (complete two semesters) | 2 |
| PHYS 4356 | Atoms, Molecules, & Solids | 3 |
| or PHYS 4357 | Relativity, Nuclei & Particles | |
| Additional Hours: | ||
| Select twelve additional hours, with at least seven being upper-division of the following: | 12 | |
| Recommend | ||
| PHYS 3359 | Astrophysics | 3 |
| PHYS 4353 | Methods of Mathematical Phys. | 3 |
| PHYS 4370 | Health Physics I | 3 |
| Upper Division Requirement | ||
| Select a total of thirty-seven hours of upper-division course work 2 | ||
| Total Hours | 120 | |
| 1 | Although the UTEP choice is larger, these choices satisfy the requirements of both the core and the major. |
| 2 | A total of thirty-seven hours of upper division coursework is required for all Bachelor of Science degrees. |
| C | Course requires a grade of C or better |
BS in Physics with a Concentration in 7-12 Physics/Math
Required Credits: 120
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Education Concentration Required | ||
| This minor requires the Secondary Education concentration | ||
| Background Check Required | ||
| A complete background check is required of all students who wish to receive teacher certification in the State of Texas. Students will be required to pass a background check before certification will be conferred by the State Board of Educator Certification (SBEC).Students must pass three criteria before they can choose this concentration: 1) have a UTEP overall GPA of at least 2.75, have a UTEP majors GPA of at least 2.75, pass the UTEP Qualifying Exam for Physical Science with a score of at least 80%. | ||
| Designated Core (All courses require a grade of C or better) | ||
| Required Courses: 1 | ||
| CHEM 1105 | Laboratory for CHEM 1305 | 1 |
| CHEM 1106 | Laboratory for CHEM 1306 | 1 |
| CHEM 1305 | General Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 1306 | General Chemistry (C) | 3 |
| MATH 1312 | Calculus II | 3 |
| MATH 1411 | Calculus I | 4 |
| University Core Curriculum | ||
| Complete the University Core Curriculum requirements. | 42 | |
| Physics Major | ||
| Required Courses: | ||
| ASTR 1107 | Astronomy Lab I (C) | 1 |
| ASTR 1307 | Elem Astronomy-Solar System(C) | 3 |
| ASTR 1308 | Elem Astr Stars & Galaxies (C) | 3 |
| MATH 2313 | Calculus III C | 3 |
| MATH 2326 | Differential Equations C | 3 |
| MATH 3323 | Matrix Algebra | 3 |
| PHYS 2230 | Thermal and Fluid Physics C | 2 |
| PHYS 2325 | Survey of Modern Physics C | 3 |
| PHYS 2420 | Introductory Mechanics C | 4 |
| PHYS 2421 | Introductory Electromagnetism (3 Times ) C | 4 |
| Select 12 hours from the following: | ||
| PHYS 3323 | Physical Optics | 3 |
| PHYS 3331 | Thermal Physics | 3 |
| PHYS 3351 | Analytical Mechanics I | 3 |
| PHYS 3352 | Analytical Mechanics II | 3 |
| PHYS 4355 | Intro Quantum Mechanics | 3 |
| PHYS 4356 | Atoms, Molecules, & Solids | 3 |
| or PHYS 4357 | Relativity, Nuclei & Particles | |
| Other Electives: | ||
| Select one course of the following: | 6 | |
| Applied Analysis I | ||
| Numerical Analysis | ||
| Applied Analysis II | ||
| Secondary Education Minor | ||
| Required Courses: | ||
| EDPC 3300 | Developmental Variations | 3 |
| RED 3342 | Content Area Literacy | 3 |
| SCED 3311 | Curriculum Plan-Secondary Schl | 3 |
| SCED 3317 | Multicultural Ed in Sec School | 3 |
| SCED 4368 | Teaching Science in Sec School | 3 |
| SCED 4691 | Student Teaching in Sec School | 6 |
| Upper Division Requirement | ||
| Select a total of thirty-seven hours of upper-division course work 3 | ||
| Total Hours | 120 | |
| 1 | Although the UTEP choice is larger, these choices satisfy the requirements of both the core and the major. |
| 2 | Complete course two times. |
| 3 | A total of thirty-seven hours of upper division coursework is required for all Bachelor of Science degrees. |
| C | Course requires a grade of C or better |
BS in Physics w/a Concentration in Applied Physics
Required Credits: 120
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Applied Physics Concentration | ||
| Required Courses: | ||
| MATH 2313 | Calculus III | 3 |
| CHEM 1305 | General Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 1105 | Laboratory for CHEM 1305 | 1 |
| CHEM 1306 | General Chemistry (C) | 3 |
| CHEM 1106 | Laboratory for CHEM 1306 | 1 |
| MATH 1411 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MATH 1312 | Calculus II | 3 |
| MATH 2326 | Differential Equations | 3 |
| MATH 3323 | Matrix Algebra | 3 |
| PHYS 2230 | Thermal and Fluid Physics C | 2 |
| PHYS 2325 | Survey of Modern Physics | 3 |
| PHYS 2420 | Introductory Mechanics C | 4 |
| PHYS 2421 | Introductory Electromagnetism C | 4 |
| PHYS 3323 | Physical Optics | 3 |
| PHYS 3331 | Thermal Physics | 3 |
| PHYS 3351 | Analytical Mechanics I | 3 |
| PHYS 4341 | Electromagnetics I | 3 |
| PHYS 4355 | Intro Quantum Mechanics | 3 |
| PHYS 3243 | Advanced Laboratory Practice (complete three semesters) | 6 |
| Math Electives: | ||
| Select two courses of the following: | 6 | |
| Applied Analysis I | ||
| Numerical Analysis | ||
| Applied Analysis II | ||
| Upper-Division Physics: | ||
| Select nine semester hours of approved physics courses | 9 | |
| Select one of the following courses: | 3 | |
| Intro to Computer Science | ||
or CS 1320 | Computer Programming Sci/Engr | |
| Electives | ||
| Complete 11 additional semester hours, 7 must be upper-division | 11 | |
| C | Course requires a grade of C or better. |
BS in Physics with a Concentration in Atmospheric Physics
Required Credits: 120
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Atmospheric Physics Concentration | ||
| Required Courses: | ||
| GEOP 4306 | Meteorology | 3 |
| CHEM 1305 | General Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 1105 | Laboratory for CHEM 1305 | 1 |
| CHEM 1306 | General Chemistry (C) | 3 |
| CHEM 1106 | Laboratory for CHEM 1306 | 1 |
| MATH 1411 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MATH 1312 | Calculus II | 3 |
| MATH 2313 | Calculus III C | 3 |
| MATH 2326 | Differential Equations C | 3 |
| MATH 3323 | Matrix Algebra | 3 |
| PHYS 2210 | Vibrations and Waves C | 2 |
| PHYS 2230 | Thermal and Fluid Physics C | 2 |
| PHYS 2325 | Survey of Modern Physics C | 3 |
| PHYS 2420 | Introductory Mechanics C | 4 |
| PHYS 2421 | Introductory Electromagnetism C | 4 |
| PHYS 3280 | Physics Seminar | 2 |
| PHYS 3323 | Physical Optics | 3 |
| PHYS 3331 | Thermal Physics | 3 |
| PHYS 3351 | Analytical Mechanics I | 3 |
| PHYS 3352 | Analytical Mechanics II | 3 |
| PHYS 4327 | Atmospheric Physics | 3 |
| PHYS 4329 | Atmospheric Radiation | 3 |
| PHYS 4341 | Electromagnetics I | 3 |
| PHYS 4342 | Electromagnetics II | 3 |
| PHYS 4355 | Intro Quantum Mechanics | 3 |
| PHYS 3243 | Advanced Laboratory Practice (complete two semesters) | 4 |
| PHYS 4356 | Atoms, Molecules, & Solids | 3 |
| or PHYS 4357 | Relativity, Nuclei & Particles | |
| Other Electives: | ||
| Select two courses of the following: | 6 | |
| Applied Analysis I | ||
| Numerical Analysis | ||
| Applied Analysis II | ||
| C | Course requires a grade of C or better. |
BS in Physics w/a Concentration in Medical Physics
Required Credits: 120
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Physics Concentration | ||
| Required Courses: | ||
| MATH 2313 | Calculus III C | 3 |
| BIOL 1305 | General Biology | 3 |
| BIOL 1107 | Topics in Study of Life I | 1 |
| BIOL 1306 | Organismal Biology | 3 |
| BIOL 1108 | Organismal Biology Laboratory | 1 |
| BIOL 2311 | Human Anat/Physiology I (C) | 3 |
| BIOL 2111 | Human Anat/Physio Lab I (C) | 1 |
| MATH 1411 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MATH 1312 | Calculus II | 3 |
| MATH 2313 | Calculus III | 3 |
| MATH 2326 | Differential Equations C | 3 |
| MATH 3323 | Matrix Algebra | 3 |
| PHYS 2210 | Vibrations and Waves | 2 |
| PHYS 2230 | Thermal and Fluid Physics C | 2 |
| PHYS 2325 | Survey of Modern Physics C | 3 |
| PHYS 2420 | Introductory Mechanics C | 4 |
| PHYS 2421 | Introductory Electromagnetism C | 4 |
| PHYS 3243 | Advanced Laboratory Practice (Complete two semesters) | 4 |
| PHYS 3280 | Physics Seminar | 2 |
| PHYS 3323 | Physical Optics | 3 |
| PHYS 3331 | Thermal Physics | 3 |
| PHYS 3351 | Analytical Mechanics I | 3 |
| PHYS 3352 | Analytical Mechanics II | 3 |
| PHYS 3360 | Comput. Methods for Phys Prob | 3 |
| PHYS 4341 | Electromagnetics I | 3 |
| PHYS 4342 | Electromagnetics II | 3 |
| PHYS 4355 | Intro Quantum Mechanics | 3 |
| PHYS 4356 | Atoms, Molecules, & Solids | 3 |
| or PHYS 4357 | Relativity, Nuclei & Particles | |
| PHYS 4370 | Health Physics I | 3 |
| PHYS 4371 | Health Physics II | 3 |
| Math Elective: | ||
| Select two courses of the following: | 6 | |
| Applied Analysis I | ||
| Numerical Analysis | ||
| Applied Analysis II | ||
| Other Electives: | ||
| Select three additional hours at any level | 3 | |
| C | Course requires a grade of C or better. |
BS in Physics with a Concentration in Physics Pre-Med
Required Credits: 120
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Designated Core (All courses require a grade of C or better) | ||
| Required Courses: 1 | ||
| BIOL 1107 | Topics in Study of Life I | 1 |
| BIOL 1108 | Organismal Biology Laboratory | 1 |
| BIOL 1305 | General Biology | 3 |
| BIOL 1306 | Organismal Biology | 3 |
| CHEM 1105 | Laboratory for CHEM 1305 | 1 |
| CHEM 1106 | Laboratory for CHEM 1306 | 1 |
| CHEM 1305 | General Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 1306 | General Chemistry (C) | 3 |
| MATH 1312 | Calculus II | 3 |
| MATH 1411 | Calculus I | 4 |
| University Core Curriculum | ||
| Complete the University Core Curriculum requirements. | 42 | |
| Pre-Med Concentration | ||
| Required Courses: | ||
| BIOL 3115 | Molecular Cell Biol Laboratory | 1 |
| BIOL 3314 | Molecular Cell Biology | 3 |
| BIOL 3320 | Genetics | 3 |
| CHEM 2124 | Lab for Organic Chemistry 2324 C | 1 |
| CHEM 2125 | Lab for Organic Chemistry 2325 C | 1 |
| CHEM 2324 | Organic Chemistry C | 3 |
| CHEM 2325 | Organic Chemistry C | 3 |
| CHEM 3330 | Biochem I:Struc & Function | 3 |
| or CHEM 3332 | Biochem II: Dynam & Bioenerg | |
| MATH 2313 | Calculus III C | 3 |
| MATH 2326 | Differential Equations C | 3 |
| MATH 3335 | Applied Analysis I | 3 |
| PHYS 2230 | Thermal and Fluid Physics | 2 |
| PHYS 2325 | Survey of Modern Physics C | 3 |
| PHYS 2420 | Introductory Mechanics C | 4 |
| PHYS 2421 | Introductory Electromagnetism C | 4 |
| PHYS 3243 | Advanced Laboratory Practice | 2 |
| PHYS 3323 | Physical Optics | 3 |
| PHYS 3331 | Thermal Physics | 3 |
| PHYS 3351 | Analytical Mechanics I | 3 |
| PHYS 4341 | Electromagnetics I | 3 |
| PHYS 4355 | Intro Quantum Mechanics | 3 |
| PHYS 4370 | Health Physics I | 3 |
| PHYS 4371 | Health Physics II | 3 |
| PHYS 4177 | Undergrad Resrch Probs Physics | 1 |
| Upper Division Requirement | ||
| Select a total of thirty-seven hours of upper-division course work 2 | ||
| Total Hours | 120 | |
| 1 | Although the UTEP choice is larger, these choices satisfy the requirements of both the core and the major. |
| 2 | A total of thirty-seven hours of upper division coursework is required for all Bachelor of Science degrees. |
| C | Course requires a grade of C or better. |
University Core Curriculum
NOTE: The department may make specific suggestions for courses which are most applicable towards your major.
Psychology and Criminal Justice majors and minors are required to take MATH 1320 Math for Social Sciences I (C) or a higher level Calculus course.
Business majors are required to take MATH 1320 Math for Social Sciences I (C) or a higher level Calculus course.
NOTE: All courses require a C or better
Communication
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select six hours of the following: (Note: ESL students should take ESOL 1300 & ESOL 1312 | 6 | |
| Written and Oral Communication | ||
| Rhetoric & Composition I | ||
| Rhetoric & Composition 2 | ||
| Rhetoric, Composition & Comm | ||
| Expos Engl Compos-Spkr Esl (C) 1 | ||
| Res & Crit Writng Spkr Esl (C) 1 | ||
| Total Hours | 6 | |
American History
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses: | ||
| HIST 1301 | History of U.S. to 1865 (C) | 3 |
| HIST 1302 | History of U.S. Since 1865 (C) | 3 |
| Total Hours | 6 | |
Language, Philosophy & Culture
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| English Literature (C) | ||
| English Literature (C) | ||
| Intro to American Fiction (C) | ||
| Intro to American Drama (C) | ||
| Intro to American Poetry (C) | ||
| Making of the "Other" Americas | ||
| World History to 1500 (C) | ||
| World History Since 1500 (C) | ||
| Introduction to Philosophy (C) | ||
| Ethics (C) | ||
| Introduct to Religious Studies | ||
| Seeing & Naming: Conversations | ||
| Introduction to Womens Studies | ||
| Global Feminisms | ||
| Total Hours | 3 | |
Mathematics
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Math in the Modern World (C) | ||
| Math for Social Sciences I (C) | ||
| Calculus I | ||
| Calculus I - Part A | ||
| Calculus I - Part B | ||
| Calculus I - Part C | ||
| Precalculus (C) | ||
| Pre-calculus - Part A | ||
| Pre-calculus - Part B | ||
| Pre-calculus - Part C | ||
| Math for Social Sciences II | ||
| Differential Equations | ||
| Descriptive & Inferential Stat | ||
| Elementary Statistical Methods | ||
| Total Hours | 3 | |
Life & Physical Sciences - Lab
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select one of the following: | 1-4 | |
| Astronomy Lab I (C) | ||
| Introductory Biology Lab (C) | ||
| Human Biology Laboratory (C) | ||
| Topics in Study of Life I | ||
| Organismal Biology Laboratory | ||
| Human Anat/Physio Lab I (C) | ||
| Human Anat/Physio Lab II (C) | ||
| Laboratory for CHEM 1305 | ||
| Laboratory for CHEM 1306 | ||
| Introductory Chemistry (C) | ||
| Introductory Chemistry (C) | ||
| Environmental Sci. Lab (C) | ||
| Non-major Lab for ESCI 1301 | ||
| Laboratory for GEOG 1306 (C) | ||
| Lab for GEOL 1314 (C) | ||
| Lab for GEOL 1313 (C) | ||
| Principles of Earth Sci - Lab | ||
| Laboratory for Geology 1212 | ||
| General Physics I (C) | ||
| General Physics II (C) | ||
| Introductory Mechanics | ||
| Introductory Electromagnetism | ||
| Total Hours | 1-4 | |
Life and Physical Sciences
A minimum of two semesters of lecture and one semester of laboratory associated with one of the courses, or two semesters of combined (3 credit) lecture-laboratory courses (Only six hours apply toward the required 42.)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select six hours of the following: 1 | 6 | |
| Astronomy Lab I (C) | ||
| Elem Astronomy-Solar System(C) | ||
| Elem Astr Stars & Galaxies (C) | ||
| Introductory Biology Lab (C) | ||
| Human Biology Laboratory (C) | ||
| Topics in Study of Life I | ||
| Organismal Biology Laboratory | ||
| Introductory Biology | ||
| Human Biology (C) | ||
| General Biology | ||
| Organismal Biology | ||
| Human Anat/Physio Lab I (C) | ||
| Human Anat/Physio Lab II (C) | ||
| Human Anat/Physiology I (C) | ||
| Human Anat/Physiology II (C) | ||
| Laboratory for CHEM 1305 | ||
| Laboratory for CHEM 1306 | ||
| General Chemistry | ||
| General Chemistry (C) | ||
| Introductory Chemistry (C) | ||
| Introductory Chemistry (C) | ||
| Environmental Sci. Lab (C) | ||
| Non-major Lab for ESCI 1301 | ||
| Intro to Environmental Sci (C) | ||
| Laboratory for GEOG 1306 (C) | ||
| Physical Geography (C) | ||
| Lab for GEOL 1313 (C) | ||
| Lab for GEOL 1314 (C) | ||
| Principles of Earth Sci - Lab | ||
| Laboratory for Geology 1212 | ||
| Principles of Earth Sciences | ||
| Principles of Earth Science | ||
| The Blue Planet | ||
| Natural Hazards | ||
| Intro to Physical Geology (C) | ||
| Intro to Historical Geol (C) | ||
| Fundamentals of Nutrition | ||
| Wellness Dynamics | ||
| Microorganisms and Disease | ||
| General Physics I (C) | ||
| General Physics II (C) | ||
| Introductory Mechanics | ||
| Introductory Electromagnetism | ||
| Total Hours | 6 | |
| 1 | Based on the major selected, options listed might not be applicable; please refer to the prerequisite area at top if one is present. |
Political Science
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses: | ||
| POLS 2310 | Introduction to Politics (C) | 3 |
| POLS 2311 | American Gover & Politics (C) | 3 |
| Total Hours | 6 | |
Social and Behavioral Sciences
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Intro-Phys Anth/Archeolog (C) | ||
| Intro-Cultural Anthropology(C) | ||
| Cultural Geography | ||
| Intro to Linguistics (C) | ||
| Econ for Engrs & Scientists | ||
| Interpersonal Communication | ||
| Mass Media and Society | ||
| Principles of Economics (C) | ||
| Principles of Economics (C) | ||
| Introduction to Ed Psychology | ||
| Action Research in Classrooms | ||
| Introduction to Linguistics(C) | ||
| Cultural Geography (C) | ||
| An Intro. to Linguistics (C) | ||
| Lang. Inside & Out: Sel Topics | ||
| Introduction to Psychology (C) | ||
| Introduction to Sociology (C) | ||
| Cultural Geography | ||
| Total Hours | 3 | |
Creative Arts
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Art Appreciation (C) | ||
| History of Art I (C) | ||
| History of Art II (C) | ||
| Dance Appreciation (C) | ||
| Intro-Art of Motion Pict. (C) | ||
| Intro to Music History (C) | ||
| Music Appreciation (C) | ||
| Jazz to Rock (C) | ||
| Introduction to Theatre (C) | ||
| Total Hours | 3 | |
Component Area Option
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Intro to Global Business | ||
| Public Speaking (C) | ||
| Business/Profession Comm (C) | ||
| Intro-Computational Thinking | ||
| Computer Programming Sci/Engr | ||
| Inquiry in Math & Science | ||
| Seminar/Critical Inquiry (C) | ||
| Total Hours | 6 | |
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