Physics, BS

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Contact Information

Dr. Richard W. Schnee
Department of Physics
Dakota 101
(605) 394-2364
E-mail: Richard.Schnee@sdsmt.edu

PHYS Flowchart

Physics Curriculum Checklist

Students are responsible for checking with their advisors for any program modifications that may occur after the publication of this catalog.

Freshman Year

First Semester

MATH 123 Calculus I Credits: (4-0) 4 (Goal 5) ¹
CHEM 112 General Chemistry I Credits: (3-0) 3 (Goal 6) ¹
CHEM 112L General Chemistry I Lab Credits: (0-1) 1 (Goal 6) ¹
ENGL 101 Composition I Credits: (3-0) 3 (Goal 1) ¹
General Education Goal 3 or 4 Elective(s) Credits: 3¹

Total: 14

Second Semester

MATH 125 Calculus II Credits: (4-0) 4
PHYS 211 University Physics I Credits: (3-0) 3 (Goal 6) ¹
Program Elective(s) Credits: 3
CSC 150/150L Computer Science I/Lab Credits: (2-1) 3
General Education Goal 3 or 4 Elective(s) Credits: 3 ¹

Total: 16

Sophomore Year

First Semester

MATH 225 Calculus III Credits: (4-0) 4
PHYS 213 University Physics II Credits: (3-0) 3
PHYS 213L University Physics II Laboratory Credits: (0-1) 1
ENGL 279 Communication in the STEM Workplace Credits: (3-0) 3 (Goal 1) ¹
General Education Goal 3 or 4 Elective(s) Credits: 3 ¹

Total: 14

Second Semester

MATH 321 Differential Equations Credits: (3-0) 3
ENGL 289 Explorations in STEM Communications Credits: (3-0) 3 (Goal 1) ¹
PHYS 225 Vibrations, Waves, and Optics Credits: (3-0) 3
General Education Goal 3 or 4 Elective(s) Credits: 3 ¹
Program Elective(s) Credits: 4

Total: 16

Junior Year

First Semester

Program Elective(s) Credits: 3
PHYS 341 Thermodynamics Credits: (2-0) 2
PHYS 343 Statistical Physics Credits: (2-0) 2
PHYS 331 Introduction to Modern Physics Credits: (3-0) 3
PHYS 312 Experimental Physics Design I Credits: (0-2) 2
PHYS 451/551 Classical Mechanics Credits: (4-0) 4

Total: 16

Second Semester

MATH 315 Linear Algebra Credits: (3-0) 3
PHYS 350 Advanced Physics Laboratory Credits: (0-3) 3
PHYS 471/571 Quantum Mechanics Credits: (4-0) 4
PHYS 314 Experimental Physics Design II Credits: (0-2) 2
Program Elective(s) Credits: 4

Total: 16

Senior Year

First Semester

PHYS 421/521 Electromagnetism Credits: (4-0) 4
PHYS 412 Advanced Design Projects I Credits: (0-3) 3
PHYS 361 Optics Credits: (3-0) 3 ²
PHYS 481/581 Mathematical Physics Credits: (4-0) 4 ²

Total: 14

Second Semester

PHYS 433/533 Nuclear and Elementary Particle Physics Credits: (3-0) 3 ²
PHYS 439/539 Condensed Matter Physics Credits: (4-0) 4
PHYS 414 Advanced Design Projects II Credits: (0-4) 4
Program Elective(s) Credits: 3

Total: 14

120 credits required for graduation

Curriculum Notes

At the end of the sophomore year 12 hours of electives must include 6 hours in humanities (in two disciplines or in a sequence of foreign language courses) and 6 hours in social sciences (in two disciplines) to fulfill the Board of Regents General Education Requirements. These courses must be at the 100 or 200 level.

The electives must contain a minimum of 12 hours in social sciences and humanities (100 or 200 level) and 3 hours of mathematics or computer science at the 200 level or above. 10 credit hours of military science may also be used as electives.

¹Fulfills General Education requirement. Students should consult the “General Education Requirements ” section of this catalog for a complete listing of all general education requirements.

² Courses offered alternate years.