The undergraduate Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in physics is designed for students who wish to become secondary school science teachers and emphasizes knowledge and awareness of:
- The basic subfields of physics (classical mechanics, electricity and magnetism, quantum mechanics, statistical mechanics and thermodynamics), as well as at least one specialty area of application (e.g., solid state physics or optics);
- The major principles of physics, their historical development and the roles they play in the various subfields of physics;
- The interrelations between theory and observation, the role of systematic and random experimental errors and methods used to analyze experimental uncertainty and compare experiment with theory;
- Physical phenomena and experience in the use of basic experimental apparatus and measuring instruments;
- Mathematics sufficient to facilitate the acquisition and application of physical principles; and
- The importance of physics in other fields such as chemistry, biology, engineering, medicine and in society at large.
In addition, students completing the BA degree in physics are expected to acquire the ability and skills to:
- Apply physical principles to new situations;
- Construct and assemble experimental apparatus, conduct and analyze measurements of physical phenomena, analyze experimental uncertainty and make meaningful comparisons between experiment and theory; and
- Communicate results of scientific inquiries verbally and in writing.
Note: Students may not earn a BA degree in physics from the College of Arts & Sciences and either a BS in physics from the College of Arts & Sciences or a BS degree in engineering physics from the College of Engineering & Applied Science. Furthermore, the physics minor may not be earned with any of these baccalaureate programs.
Requirements
Program Requirements
The bachelor of arts degree with a major in physics is for students who wish to earn a secondary science teacher license from the School of Education. The major requires a minimum of 30 credit hours of physics and a minimum of 6–7 credit hours in education courses. Students must complete additional education courses as well as courses in biology and earth/space science to earn the bachelor of arts with a major in physics. Students should check with an advisor in the School of Education for the most updated teacher licensure requirements.
Students who have declared physics as a major are required to consult with a physics faculty mentor at least once per semester. First-year students considering physics as a major, are strongly encouraged to visit the physics academic advisor and discuss the situation. Because most of the advanced physics courses have various prerequisites, failure to settle on an appropriate plan of study early in the college career can result in delay and complications later.
Students must receive a "C-" or better in all major courses, as well as in ancillary courses. These courses cannot be taken pass/fail. If a course is a pre-requisite for another course, the student may not register for the subsequent course until the grade in the pre-requisite is a "C-" or better. Students must have a grade point average of at least 2.000 in the major in order to graduate, and no more than 45 credits in PHYS may be applied to overall graduation requirements.
Students must complete the general requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences and the required courses listed below.
Required Courses and Credits
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Physics Courses | ||
| PHYS 1115 | General Physics 1 for Majors | 4 |
| or PHYS 1110 | General Physics 1 | |
| PHYS 1125 | General Physics 2 for Majors | 4 |
| or PHYS 1120 | General Physics 2 | |
| PHYS 1140 | Experimental Physics 1 | 1 |
| PHYS 2130 | Introduction to Quantum Mechanics and Its Applications | 3 |
| PHYS 2150 | Experimental Physics 2 | 2 |
| PHYS 2210 | Classical Mechanics and Mathematical Methods 1 | 3 |
| PHYS 3210 | Classical Mechanics and Mathematical Methods 2 | 3 |
| PHYS 3220 | Quantum Mechanics 1 | 3 |
| PHYS 3310 | Principles of Electricity and Magnetism 1 | 3 |
| PHYS 3330 | Electronics for the Physical Sciences | 3 |
| PHYS 4460 | Teaching and Learning Physics | 3 |
| or PHYS 4450 | History and Philosophy of Physics | |
| Required Education courses | ||
| EDUC 4050 | Knowing and Learning in Mathematics and Science | 3 |
| EDUC 4385 | Phenomenon-Based Science Instruction | 4 |
| Total Credit Hours | 39 | |
Ancillary Astronomy, Mathematics and Chemistry Coursework
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Ancillary Astronomy Course | 4 | |
| Accelerated Introductory Astronomy 1 | ||
| Ancillary Chemistry Courses | ||
| Select one of the following options: | 7-10 | |
Option 1 | ||
| Environmental Chemistry 1 and Environmental Chemistry 2 | ||
Option 2 | ||
| General Chemistry 1 and Laboratory in General Chemistry 1 | ||
| General Chemistry 2 and Laboratory in General Chemistry 2 | ||
| Ancillary Mathematics Courses | ||
| MATH 1300 | Calculus 1 | 4-5 |
| or APPM 1350 | Calculus 1 for Engineers | |
| MATH 2300 | Calculus 2 | 4-5 |
| or APPM 1360 | Calculus 2 for Engineers | |
| MATH 2400 | Calculus 3 | 4-5 |
| or APPM 2350 | Calculus 3 for Engineers | |
| Select one of the following Linear Algebra and Differential Equations options: | 4-6 | |
Option 1 | ||
| Introduction to Differential Equations with Linear Algebra | ||
Option 2 | ||
| Introduction to Linear Algebra for Non-Mathematics Majors and Ordinary Differential Equations | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 27-35 | |
Sample Four-Year Plan of Study
Through the required coursework for the major, students will fulfill all 12 credits of the Natural Sciences area of the Gen Ed Distribution Requirement, including the Lab requirement, and the QRMS component of the Gen Ed Skills Requirement. See the department for Plan-specific Four-Year Plans of Study.
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Credit Hours | |
| PHYS 1115 or PHYS 1110 | General Physics 1 for Majors or General Physics 1 | 4 |
| MATH 1300 or APPM 1350 | Calculus 1 or Calculus 1 for Engineers | 4-5 |
| EDUC 2035 | Designing STEM Learning Environments and Experiences | 3 |
| Gen. Ed. Skills course (example: Lower-division Written Communication) | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 14-15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| PHYS 1125 or PHYS 1120 | General Physics 2 for Majors or General Physics 2 | 4 |
| PHYS 1140 | Experimental Physics 1 | 1 |
| MATH 2300 or APPM 1360 | Calculus 2 or Calculus 2 for Engineers | 4-5 |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Social Sciences) | 3 | |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Arts & Humanities) | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15-16 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| PHYS 2170 | Foundations of Modern Physics | 3 |
| PHYS 2150 | Experimental Physics 2 | 2 |
| MATH 2400 or APPM 2350 | Calculus 3 or Calculus 3 for Engineers | 4-5 |
| CHEM 1011 | Environmental Chemistry 1 | 3 |
| EDUC 3013 | School and Society | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 15-16 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| PHYS 2210 | Classical Mechanics and Mathematical Methods 1 | 3 |
| APPM 2360 | Introduction to Differential Equations with Linear Algebra | 4 |
| CHEM 1031 | Environmental Chemistry 2 | 4 |
| EDUC 4050 | Knowing and Learning in Mathematics and Science | 3 |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution/Diversity course (example: Arts & Humanities/Global Perspective) | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 17 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| PHYS 3210 | Classical Mechanics and Mathematical Methods 2 | 3 |
| PHYS 3310 | Principles of Electricity and Magnetism 1 | 3 |
| PHYS 3330 | Electronics for the Physical Sciences | 3 |
| ASTR 1030 | Accelerated Introductory Astronomy 1 | 4 |
| EDUC 4060 | Classroom Interactions | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| PHYS 3220 | Quantum Mechanics 1 | 3 |
| PHYS 4460 | Teaching and Learning Physics | 3 |
| EDUC 4023 | Differentiating Instruction in Diverse Secondary Classrooms | 3 |
| EDUC 4385 | Phenomenon-Based Science Instruction | 4 |
| EDUC 4232 | Language and Literacy across the Curriculum | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Summer | ||
| Upper-Division Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Social Sciences) | 3 | |
| Upper-Division Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Arts & Humanities)) | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| EDUC 4822 | Teaching and Learning Chemistry | 3 |
| EBIO 1210 | General Biology 1 | 3 |
| Gen. Ed. Skills course (example: Upper-division Written Communication) | 3 | |
| Upper-Division Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Social Sciences) | 3 | |
| Upper-Division Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Arts & Humanities) | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| EDUC 4513 | Education and Practice | 2 |
| EDUC 4712 | Student Teaching: Secondary School | 10 |
| Credit Hours | 12 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 126-129 | |
Learning Outcomes
By the completion of the program, students will be able to:
- Have the knowledge of the basic subfields of physics (classical mechanics, electricity and magnetism, quantum mechanics, statistical mechanics and thermodynamics), as well as at least one specialty area of application (e.g., condensed matter physics or optics).
- Apply major principles of physics towards solving problems in various subfields of physics, including the use of mathematical and computational tools as appropriate.
- Assemble and use experimental apparatus to conduct and analyze measurements of physical phenomena.
- Have the knowledge of the role of systematic and random experimental errors, along with methods used to analyze experimental uncertainty and compare experiment with theory.
- Collaborate effectively and communicating results of scientific inquiries verbally and in writing.
Bachelor's–Accelerated Master's Degree Program(s)
The bachelor's–accelerated master's (BAM) degree program options offer currently enrolled CU Boulder undergraduate students the opportunity to receive a bachelor's and master's degree in a shorter period of time. Students receive the bachelor's degree first but begin taking graduate coursework as undergraduates (typically in their senior year).
Because some courses are allowed to double count for both the bachelor's and the master's degrees, students receive a master's degree in less time and at a lower cost than if they were to enroll in a standalone master's degree program after completion of their baccalaureate degree. In addition, staying at CU Boulder to pursue a bachelor's–accelerated master's program enables students to continue working with their established faculty mentors.
BA and MS in Physics
The BAM program in physics aims to provide new opportunities for undergraduate physics majors. For students interested in graduate studies, this program in physics allows for participation in graduate coursework and research in a broad range of areas. For students interested in immediate professional employment, this program would serve as a terminal degree program that qualifies students for a higher level of employment.
Admissions Requirements
In order to gain admission to the BAM program named above, a student must meet the following criteria:
- Have a cumulative GPA of 3.30 or higher and a physics major GPA of 3.30 or higher.
- Have completed a minimum of 75 credit hours of coursework.
- Transfer students must have completed a minimum of 24 credit hours at CU Boulder.
- Have a letter of support from a faculty advisor to complete master's level research.
Program Requirements
Students may take up to and including 12 hours while in the undergraduate program which can later be used toward the master’s degree. However, only 6 credit hours may be double counted toward the bachelor’s degree and the master’s degree. Students must apply to graduate with the bachelor’s degree, and apply to continue with the master’s degree, early in the semester in which the undergraduate requirements will be completed.
If you are interested in the BAM degree program, please see the Department of Physics website.