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 58 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 29 credit hours in physics. There is also a senior comprehensive examination.
View all major requirements and course descriptions:
About the Minor
A minor in physics consists of at least 23 credit hours. View all minor requirements and course descriptions.
Departmental Honors
Majors may attain honors in physics by fulfilling the following requirements:
- Attaining a GPA of at least 3.5 in all physics courses
- 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 sixth through 12th grades 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.