University of Portland Bulletin 2022-2023

Physics, B.A.

The Department of Physics offers a program leading to the bachelor of arts degree in physics. The program is suited especially for students who are interested in combining a degree in physics with the study of another discipline (such as biology, life sciences, environmental science, or a major in the humanities).

University Core Curriculum Requirements — 40 credit hours

All University of Portland students progress through a set of shared course options as part of the University’s liberal arts Core Curriculum. This curriculum offers a foundation of multiple lenses to address enduring questions of human concern, integrating the liberal arts, the University mission, and the knowledge, skills, and values needed in a diverse society and in the workplace.

See Core Curriculum Requirements

Two of the three core requirements in the Scientific and Quantitative Literacy and Problem Solving Habit are satisfied by the mathematics and science requirements within the major.

PHY 441 and PHY 472 are the designated Writing in the Discipline courses for the B.A. in Physics.

College of Arts and Sciences B.A. Requirements — 24-33 credit hours

See College Requirements, B.A.

Major Requirements — 42 credit hours

Required Courses — 31 credit hours

MTH 201Calculus I

4
MTH 202Calculus II

4
MTH 301Vector Calculus

4
CHM 207General Chemistry I

3
with
CHM 277General Chemistry I Lab

1
PHY 201College Physics I

3
with
PHY 271College Physics Lab I

1
And
PHY 202College Physics II

3
with
PHY 272College Physics Lab II

1
Or
PHY 204General Physics I

3
with
PHY 274General Physics Lab I

1
And
PHY 205General Physics II

3
with
PHY 275General Physics Lab II

1
PHY 306Modern Physics

3
with
PHY 376Modern Physics Lab

1
PHY 356/MTH 356Mathematical Methods for Science and Engineering

3

Major Electives – 17 credit hours

Select from the following:
PHY 303/CHM 303/MTH 303Computational Methods in Physical Sciences

3
PHY 322Optics

3
PHY 323/MTH 323Nonlinear Dynamics

3
PHY 370Special Physics Laboratory and Research

Variable
PHY 371Analog and Digital Electronics

3
PHY 372Optics Laboratory

1
PHY 391Seminar

Variable
PHY 404Advanced Mechanics

3
PHY 405Advanced Electrodynamics

3
PHY 411Introduction to Quantum Mechanics

3
PHY 412Introduction to Quantum Mechanics II

3
PHY 422Solid State Physics

3
PHY 441Thermal and Statistical Physics

3
PHY 470Special Physics Laboratory and Research

Variable
PHY 471Advanced Laboratory

2
PHY 472Advanced Optics Laboratory

2

Any additional credit hours required to complete a minimum of 120 credit hours

Total Credit Hours: 120