University of Portland Bulletin 2024-2025

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).

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

See College Requirements, B.A.

UP Core 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 UP Core Requirements

Two of the three core requirements in the Science & 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.

Major Requirements — 48 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 306Our Strange Universe: Science and History of Modern Physics

3

with

PHY 376Modern Physics Lab

1

PHY 356/MTH 356Mathematical Methods for Science and Engineering

3

Additional upper-division courses in physics – 17 credit hours

A maximum of six credit hours from PHY 470 or PHY 497 may be used for completion of the major.

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

Total Credit Hours: 120