Majors, Emphases, and Minors

A degree in physics is a 4-year degree starting with calculus. All of the physics degrees and emphases require a calculus-based introductory physics sequence with labs, a course in modern physics, thermodynamics, statistical mechanics, a practical physics course, and an advanced physics course. Most degrees and emphases also require a course in classical mechanics, advanced electrodynamics, and quantum mechanics. The degrees differ in the number of semesters of each of these courses, the number and type of required practical courses, and the requirements for the depth and breadth courses. All degrees and emphases also require calculus I - III, linear algebra and differential equations. Most degrees require partial differential equations and complex variables, or equivalent.

All of the degrees and emphases in physics have similar requirements in the first two years, so it is possible to explore the major before making a final decision on the degree program or emphasis. After this time, it is still possible to change degree programs, but there are likely to be set-backs.

Degree Options

This information is accurate for the 2021-2022 academic year. All course requirements and offerings are subject to change. Meet with the undergraduate academic advisor regularly to check current requirements. For more information, explore our Undergraduate Handbook.

To declare a major or minor, contact the academic advisor.

Physics Major

The Physics major is designed to give students the deepest and broadest understanding of physics to lay a firm foundation for graduate work in physics or related discipline. Courses provide advanced and in-depth instruction in topics that are the most important for success in physics graduate studies. This degree also provides practical experience in laboratory techniques, writing, and computer programming.

Core Physics Courses

PHYS 1970	Undergrad Seminar I
PHYS 1980	Undergrad Seminar II
PHYS 2210	Physics I for Scientists & Engineers
PHYS 2215	Physisscs I Lab for Sci & Eng
PHYS 2235	Computation Lab for Physicists
PHYS 2220	Physics II for Scientists & Engineers
PHYS 2225	Physics II Lab for Sci & Eng
PHYS 3740	Intro to Quantum Theory and Relativity
PHYS 3760	Thermodyamics and Statistical Mechanics

Advanced Physics Courses

PHYS 3719/3729	Undergraduate Lab/Honors Undergraduate Lab
PHYS 3730	Computational Physics I
PHYS 4410	Classical Physics I
PHYS 4420	Classical Physics II
PHYS 5450	Intro to Quantum Mechanics

Advanced Physics Electives

Select two courses below:

PHYS 5110	Intro to Nuclear and Particle Physics
PHYS 5210	Intro to Gravitation
PHYS 5460	Quantum Mechanics and Statistical Mechanics
PHYS 5510	Solid State Physics I
PHYS 5520	Solid State Physics II

Core Math Courses

MATH 1210	Calculus I
MATH 1220	Calculus II
MATH 2210	Calculus III
MATH 2250	Differential Equations and Linear Algebra
MATH 3150 OR 5440	Partial Differential Equations for Eng OR Partial Differential Equations
MATH 3160 OR 4200	Applied Complex Variables OR Complex Variables

Core Chemistry Courses

CHEM 1210/1211	General Chemistry I/Honors General Chemistry I
CHEM 1215/1240	Gen ChemLab I/Honors Gen Chem Lab I
CHEM 1220/1221	General Chemistry II/Honors General Chemistry II
CHEM 1225/1241	Gen ChemLab II/Honors Gen Chem Lab II

Applied Physics Emphasis

The Physics major with an Applied Physics emphasis is intended for students who want considerable physics knowledge, but who do not plan on a research-oriented career. It is helpful for those who are planning on doing graduate research in related areas such as engineering or earth science, who are thinking about law school, or who plan on going directly into industry after graduating with their bachelor’s. By reducing the total number of semesters in classical and quantum physics from four to two, the Applied Physics emphasis allows students more time for additional practical courses. Students choose advanced and practical electives to best meet their goals and interests.

Core Physics Courses

PHYS 1970	Undergrad Seminar I
PHYS 1980	Undergrad Seminar II
PHYS 2210	Physics I for Scientists & Engineers
PHYS 2215	Physics I Lab for Sci & Eng
PHYS 2235	Computation Lab for Physicists
PHYS 2220	Physics II for Scientists & Engineers
PHYS 2225	Physics II Lab for Sci & Eng
PHYS 3740	Intro to Quantum Theory and Relativity
PHYS 3760	Thermodyamics and Statistical Mechanics

Advanced Physics Courses

PHYS 3719/3729	Undergraduate Lab/Honors Undergraduate Lab
PHYS 3730	Computational Physics I
PHYS 5010	Classical Mechanics and Quantum Mechanics
PHYS 5020	Electricity and Magnetism and Statisical Physics

Advanced Physics Electives

Select one course:

PHYS 5110	Intro to Nuclear and Particle Physics
PHYS 5210	Intro to Gravitation
PHYS 5510	Solid State Physics I

Practical Physics Electives

Select two courses:

PHYS 3330	Digital Audio and Video
PHYS 3410	Found of Modern Optics
PHYS 3610	Electronics for Scientific Instrumentation
PHYS 3620	Data Aquisition for Scientific Instrumentation
PHYS 4060	Observational Astronomy
PHYS 5760	Principles of Physical Measurement and Instrumentation
PHYS 4800 OR 4999	Undergraduate Research OR Senior Honors Thesis

Core Math Courses

MATH 1210	Calculus I
MATH 1220	Calculus II
MATH 2210	Calculus III
MATH 2250	Differential Equations and Linear Algebra
Math 3150/5440	Partial Differential Equations for Eng/Partial Differential Equations
Math 3160/4200	Applied Complex Variables/Complex Variables

Core Chemistry Courses

CHEM 1210/1211	General Chemistry I/Honors General Chemistry I
CHEM 1215/1240	Gen ChemLab I/Honors Gen Chem Lab I
CHEM 1220/1221	General Chemistry II/Honors General Chemistry II
CHEM 1225/1241	Gen ChemLab II/Honors Gen Chem Lab II

Astronomy & Astrophysics Emphasis

The Physics major with an Astronomy & Astrophysics Emphasis prepares students for graduate school in Astronomy or Astrophysics. At its core, it is the same sequence of courses that are in the Physics Bachelor’s Degree, but the depth and breadth courses have been replaced with astronomy electives, allowing students to study astronomy as an undergraduate. Because it is a strong physics degree, students with this degree also attend graduate school in other areas of physics, or related fields.

Core Physics Courses

PHYS 1970	Undergrad Seminar I
PHYS 1980	Undergrad Seminar II
PHYS 2210	Physics I for Scientists & Engineers
PHYS 2215	Physics I Lab for Sci & Eng
PHYS 2235	Computation Lab for Physicists
PHYS 2220	Physics II for Scientists & Engineers
PHYS 2225	Physics II Lab for Sci & Eng
PHYS 3740	Intro to Quantum Theory and Relativity
PHYS 3760	Thermodyamics and Statistical Mechanics

Core Math Courses

MATH 1210	Calculus I
MATH 1220	Calculus II
MATH 2210²	Calculus III
MATH 2250³	Differential Equations and Linear Algebra
MATH 3150/5440	Partial Differential Equations for Eng/ Partial Differential Equations
MATH 3160/4200	Applied Complex Variables/Complex Variables

Advanced Physics Courses

ASTR 3070	Foundations of Astronomy
PHYS 4410	Classical Physics I
PHYS 4420	Classical Physics II
PHYS 5450	Intro to Quantum Mechanics

Topical Astronomy Electives

Select two courses:

ASTR 4070	Extragalactic Astrophysics
ASTR 4080	Intro to Cosmology
ASTR 4090	Stellar Astrophysics
ASTR 5560	Stars and Stellar Populations
ASTR 5570	Galaxies
ASTR 5580	Cosmology
ASTR 5590	High Energy Astrophysics

Practical Physics Electives

Select two courses:

PHYS 3410	Found of Modern Optics
PHYS 3610	Electronics for Sci Instrument
PHYS 3620	Data Aquisition for Sci Instrumentation
PHYS 3719/3729	Undergraduate Lab/Honors Undergraduate Lab
PHYS 3730	Computational Physics I
PHYS 4060	Observational Astronomy
PHYS 4800 OR 4999	Undergraduate Research OR Senior Honors Thesis
CMP 3850 OR 3851	Dark Sky Studies: Lightscapes or Nightscapes

Advanced Physics or Astronomy Electives

Select one PHYS/ASTR 5000-level or higher course to fulfill this requirement.

Biomedical Physics Emphasis

The Physics major with a Biomedical Physics emphasis was designed by a professor in the department who holds both a PhD in Physics and an MD. The degree is designed with the intent of allowing students to complete their pre-med requirements as well as complete a degree in physics. This is an ideal degree for applying to medical school, dental school, or other medical professions. Students also use this degree program to prepare to study biophysics or medical physics. Students choose electives to best meet their goals and interests.

Core Physics Courses

PHYS 1970	Undergrad Seminar I
PHYS 1980	Undergrad Seminar II
PHYS 2210	Physics I for Scientists & Engineers
PHYS 2215	Physics I Lab for Sci & Eng
PHYS 2235	Computation Lab for Physicists
PHYS 2220	Physics II for Scientists & Engineers
PHYS 2225	Physics II Lab for Sci & Eng
PHYS 3740	Intro to Quantum Theory and Relativity
PHYS 3760	Thermodyamics and Statistical Mechanics

Core Math Courses

MATH 1210	Calculus I
MATH 1220	Calculus II
MATH 2210¹	Calculus III
MATH 2250²	Differential Equations and Linear Algebra
MATH 4600³	Mathematics in Physiology and Medicine

¹Qualified students are encouraged to substitute MATH 1250-1260 for MATH 1210-1220-2210.

²Qualified students are encouraged to substitute MATH 2270-2280 for MATH 2250.

³Students may substitute MATH 3150-3160 for MATH 4600.

Core Chemistry Courses

CHEM 1210/1211	General Chemistry I/Honors General Chemistry I
CHEM 1215/1240	Gen ChemLab I/Honors Gen Chem Lab I
CHEM 1220/1221	General Chemistry II/Honors General Chemistry II
CHEM 1225/1241	Gen ChemLab II/Honors Gen Chem Lab II
CHEM 2310/2311	Organic Chem I/Honors Organic Chem I
CHEM 2315	Organic Chem Lab I

Advanced Physics Courses

PHYS 3719/3729	Undergraduate Lab/Honors Undergraduate Lab
PHYS 5010	Classical Mechanics and Quantum Mechanics
PHYS 5020	Electricity and Magnetism and Statisical Physics

Advanced Physics Electives

Select one course from the advanced physics electives and one course from the practical physics electives:

Advanced Physics Electives:

PHYS 4210: Optics in Bio
PHYS 4230: Molecular Motors
PHYS 4310: Physics in Biology
PHYS 5110: Nuclear/Particle Physics
PHYS 5510: Solid State Physics I

Practical Physics Electives:

PHYS 3330: Audio and Video
PHYS 3410: Modern Optics
PHYS 3610: Electronics
PHYS 3620: Data Aquisition
PHYS 3730: Computational Physics I
PHYS 4800: Undergraduate Research
PHYS 4999: Senior Honors Thesis
PHYS 5760: Physical Measurements and Instrumentation

Allied Courses

Select five credit hours from chemisty and four courses from biology.

Chemistry Electives:

CHEM 2320/2321: Organic Chemistry II
CHEM 2325: Organic Chemistry II Lab
CHEM 3000: Quantitative Analysis
CHEM 3100: Inorganic Chemistry
CHEM 3130: Solid State Chemistry
CHEM 3200: Radio Chemistry
CHEM 5810: Nanoscience
CHEM 4800: Undergraduate Research
CHEM 4801: Honors Undergraduate Research

Biology Electives:

BIOL 1610: Biology
BIOL 2020: Cell Biology
BIOL 2021: Cell Science
BIOL 2030: Genetics
BIOL 2210: Human Genetics
BIOL 2420: Physiology
BIOL 3510: Biochemistry

BIOL 3215: Cell Biology Lab
BIOL 3515: Biochemistry Lab
BIOL 4955: Undergraduate Research
BIOL 4995: Honors Undergraduate Research

NEW! Computational Physics and Astronomy Emphasis

The Computational Emphasis is designed for students interested in focusing on computational methods in physics and astronomy. A broad range of electives allows students to customize their experience toward their interests.

Core Physics Courses

PHYS 1970	Undergrad Seminar I
PHYS 1980	Undergrad Seminar II
PHYS 2210	Physics I for Scientists & Engineers
PHYS 2215	Physisscs I Lab for Sci & Eng
PHYS 2235	Computation Lab for Physicists
PHYS 2220	Physics II for Scientists & Engineers
PHYS 2225	Physics II Lab for Sci & Eng
PHYS 3740	Intro to Quantum Theory and Relativity
PHYS 3760	Thermodyamics and Statistical Mechanics

Core Math Courses

MATH 1210	Calculus I
MATH 1220	Calculus II
MATH 2210	Calculus III
MATH 2250	Differential Equations and Linear Algebra
MATH 3150 OR 5440	Partial Differential Equations for Eng OR Partial Differential Equations
MATH 3160 OR 4200	Applied Complex Variables OR Complex Variables

¹Qualified students are encouraged to substitute MATH 1250-1260 for MATH 1210-1220-2210.

²Qualified students are encouraged to substitute MATH 2270-2280 for MATH 2250.

³Placement into your computer science track will depend on your previous experience..

⁴ASTR 3070 is a required prerequisite for other astronomy courses.

Advanced Physics Courses

PHYS 3730	Computational Physics I
PHYS 4410	Classical Physics I
PHYS 4420	Classical Physics II
PHYS 5730	Computational Physics II

Computational Electives

Select one course below:

CS 3200	Intro to Scientific Computing and Data Computing
CS 3500	Software Practice
CS 3190	Foundations of Data Analysis
CS 4230	Parallel Programming
CS 5635	Visualization for Scientific Data
DS 2500	Data Wrangling
MATH 5600 OR 5610	Survey of Numerical Analysis
MATH 5740	Mathematical Modeling

Core Computer Science Courses

Complete one set of courses³:

CS 1400+ CS 1410+ CS 2420

CS 1420+ CS 2420+ One Additional Computational Elective

Physics and Astronomy Electives:

Select two courses in any combination from the list below or the computational electives list:

PHYS 5110	Intro to Nuclear and Particle Physics
PHYS 5210	Intro to Gravitation
PHYS 5450	Intro to Quantum Mechanics
PHYS 5460	Quantum Mechanics and Statistical Mechanics
PHYS 5510	Solid State Physics I
PHYS 5520	Solid State Physics II
PHYS 3719	Undergraduate Lab
ASTR 3070⁴	Foundations of Astronomy
ASTR 4060	Observational Astronomy
ASTR 4070	Extragalactic Astrophysics
ASTR 4080	Intro to Cosmology
ASTR 4090	Stellar Astrophysics

Physics Teaching Major

The Physics Teaching major is intended for students who plan on becoming teachers in the secondary school system. It includes all the required courses for an endorsement in Physics through the Utah State Office of Education, a sampling of courses required for the licensure program through the Urban Institute for Teacher Education (UITE), as well as additional depth and breadth courses beneficial for physics teachers. Students in this degree program should also meet with the UITE advisors.

Core Physics Courses

PHYS 1970	Undergrad Seminar I
PHYS 1980	Undergrad Seminar II
PHYS 2210	Physics I for Scientists & Engineers
PHYS 2215	Physics I Lab for Sci & Eng
PHYS 2235	Computation Lab for Physicists
PHYS 2220	Physics II for Scientists & Engineers
PHYS 2225	Physics II Lab for Sci & Eng
PHYS 3740	Intro to Quantum Theory and Relativity
PHYS 3760 OR CHEM 3070	Thermodyamics and Statistical Mechanics OR Thermodynamics and Chemical Kinematics
PHYS 3719/3729	Undergraduate Lab

Core Math Courses

MATH 1050	College Algebra
MATH 1060	Trigonometry
MATH 1210	Calculus I
MATH 1220	Calculus II
MATH 2210¹	Calculus III
MATH 2250²	Differential Equations and Linear Algebra

¹Qualified students are encouraged to substitute MATH 1250-1260 for MATH 1210-1220-2210.

²Qualified students are encouraged to substitute MATH 2270-2280 for MATH 2250.

Core Chemistry Courses

CHEM 1210/1211	General Chemistry I/Honors General Chemistry I
CHEM 1215/1240	Gen ChemLab I/Honors Gen Chem Lab I
CHEM 1220/1221	General Chemistry II/Honors General Chemistry II

Advanced Physics Courses

PHYS 4410	Classical Physics I
PHYS 5140	Physics Education Research
ASTR 3070	Foundations of Astronomy
PHYS or ASTR	Any elective 3000-level or higher (except PHYS 3111 or 3670

Education Courses

EDU 1010 OR SCI 3670 OR SCI 5050	Intro to Teaching OR Science Communication and Mentoring OR Science of Learning
ETHNC 25**	Ethnic Studies Elective (2550, 2570, 2580, 2590)
ECS 2150 OR SCI 3900	Intro to Multi Cultural Ed OR Being Human in STEM
ED PS 3721	Adolescent Psychology
EDU 5170	Secondary Science Methods
ECS 5709	Building Family Partnership

Allied Electives Courses

Select one course:

ATMOS 1010: Severe and Unusual Weather
ATMOS 1020: Climate Change
ATMOS 5400: The Climate System

Combined BS/MEd Degree

Students interested in completing the combined BS/MEd degree in 5 years should meet with their physics and education advisors as soon as possible to create a plan to complete in a timely manner. Graduate work is completed through the Urban Institute of Teacher Education.

Honors in Physics

Honors College Requirements

2 Intellectual Traditions Courses	6
1 Honors Writing Course	3
1 Honors Science Course	3-4
Honors Electives	9
Honors Thesis (PHYS/ASTR 4999)	3

For more information about the Honors College, advising, other degree requirements, or how to apply, please visit the Honors College website.

Department Requirements

In addition to the requirements for the physics degree, students seeking an Honors Degree must also meet the following requirements:

B or better in all courses required for major

PHYS and ASTR GPA of at least 3.5

Overall GPA of at least 3.5

Complete 9 credit hours of approved honors course work.

For more departmental information about Honors, click here.

Honors Courses

Courses offered by the Department of Physics & Astronomy that fill Honors elective requirements are:

PHYS 3210	Physics I for Scientists
PHYS 3220	Physics II for Scientists
PHYS 3729	Honors Undergraduate Lab
PHYS 4410	Classical Physics I
PHYS 4420	Classical Physics II
PHYS 4800	Undergraduate Researchss
PHYS 5450	Intro to Quantum Mechanics
PHYS 5460	Quantum Mechanics and Statistical Mechanics
PHYS 5510	Solid State Physics I
PHYS 5520	Solid State Physics II
ASTR/PHYS 5560	Stars and Stellar Populations
ASTR/PHYS 5570	Galaxies
ASTR/PHYS 5580	Cosmology

Physics Minor

The physics minor is designed for students outside of the major to gain an deep knowledge and understanding of physics.

Any University of Utah student with a declared major other than physics can add a physics minor.

Physics minors must complete all general education and College of Science requirements and have a GPA of at least 2.0 in physics courses combined. All physics, math, and chemistry classes must be passed with at least a C- grade. The credit/no-credit option may not be elected for any course used to fulfill the degree requirements for a physics minor.

Required Physics Courses

Select up to ten credit hours from the list below:

PHYS 2210	Physics I for Scientists & Engineers	4
PHYS 2215	Physics I Lab for Scientists & Engineers	1
PHYS 2235	Computation Lab for Physicists	1
PHYS 2220	Physics II for Scientists & Engineers	4
PHYS 2225	Physics II Lab for Scientists & Engineers	1

Upper Division Courses

Select six or more credit hours of upper division approved coursework, totalling 16 credit hours.

To fulfill requirement, student must take any Physics or Astronomy course numbered 3000-5999, except:

PHYS 3111, PHYS 3210, PHYS 3220, PHYS 3670, PHYS 3949, PHYS 3970, PHYS 4800, PHYS 4999

Astronomy Minor

Astronomy is a profound and fundamental science that has never ceased to fascinate the general public and attract the imagination of students.

Any University of Utah student with a declared major other than physics can add an Astronomy minor.

Astronomy minors must complete all general education and College of Science requirements and have a GPA of at least 2.0 in physics, astronomy and mathematics courses combined. All physics, astronomy and mathematics courses must be passed with at least a C- grade. The credit/no credit option may not be elected for any course used to fulfill the degree requirements for an astronomy minor.

Required Courses

MATH 1210	Calculus I
MATH 1220	Calculus II
MATH 2210	Calculus III
PHYS 2210	Physics I for Scientists & Engineers
PHYS 2220	Physics II for Scientists & Engineers
ASTR 3070	Foundations of Astronomy

Elective Courses

Select three courses from the list below:

ASTR 4060	Observational Astronomy
ASTR 4070	Extragalactic Astrophysics
ASTR 4080	Intro to Cosmology
ASTR 4090	Stellar Astrophysics
ASTR 5560	Stars and Stellar Populations
ASTR 5570	Galaxies
ASTR 5580	Cosmology

Physics Teaching Minor

Students declaring this minor must have declared a teaching major in another subject.

Required Physics and Math Courses

PHYS 2210	Physics I for Scientists & Engineers
PHYS 2215	Physics I Lab for Sci & Eng
PHYS 2220	Physics II for Scientists & Engineers
PHYS 2225	Physics II Lab for Sci & Eng
PHYS 3740	Intro to Quantum Theory and Relativity
MATH 1210	Calculus I
MATH 1220	Calculus II
MATH 2210	Calculus III
MATH 2250	Differential Equations and Linear Algebra

¹Qualified students are encouraged to substitute MATH 1250-1260 for MATH 1210-1220-2210.

²Qualified students are encouraged to substitute MATH 2270-2280 for MATH 2250.

Other Requirements

EDU 5170

Secondary Science Methodss

Select at least one course of upper division approved coursework:

Any Physics or Astronomy course numbered 3000-5999, except:

PHYS 3111, PHYS 3210, PHYS 3220, PHYS 3670, PHYS 3949, PHYS 3970, PHYS 4800, PHYS 4999

College of Architecture and Planning Dark Skies Minor

This minor is hosted by the College of Architecture and Planning, and interested students will need to meet with a Student Success Advisor in order to declare this minor.

Students are required to complete at least 18 credits: 3 required courses, and 4 elective courses. You can find more details about the minor program here.

Astronomy courses that fulfill these electives:

ASTR 1050: The Solar System,

ASTR 1060: The Universe,

ASTR 3070: Foundations of Astronomy,

and ASTR 4060: Observational Astronomy.

MEet with a Dark Skies Studies Advisor

Click Here to Schedule an Appointment with an Academic Advisor