Program Requirements

About the major

The Physics program offers both Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees. Courses explore mysteries of the universe, from special relativity, nuclear and particle physics, astrophysics, and cosmology to the electromagnetic nature of light, interference phenomenon, quantum statistics, solid-state devises, and electromagnetic theory. Students enter the powerful arena of scientific inquiry and learn how modern-day technology continues to be affected by development in Physics — and how its study will continue to shape our society in dramatic fashion.

The Bachelor of Science degree in Physics consists of 62 semester credit hours with at least 40 credit hours in Physics. Students must also successfully complete a senior comprehensive examination

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Physics consists of 51 semester credit hours with at least 27 credit hours in Physics. There is also a senior comprehensive examination.

About the minor

A minor in Physics consists of at least 23 credit hours in Physics.

Departmental honors

Majors may attain honors in Physics by fulfilling the following requirements:

  • Attaining a grade point average of at least 3.5 in all courses taken in Physics.
  • Satisfactorily completing a research project, including preparation of a paper suitable for publication in a scientific journal and/or presentation at a scientific meeting

Secondary teacher certification program

Teacher certification in Physics for grades 6th through 12th is available. Students planning to teach Physics in secondary schools should notify their advisor and contact the chair of teacher education in the Tift College of Education.