Program: Physics, BS - South Dakota School of Mines & Technology

Apr 05, 2025

2021-2022 SDSM&T Academic Catalog

Contact Information

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

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

PHYS 119 First Year Seminar in Physics Credits: (1-0) 1
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: 15

Second Semester

MATH 125 Calculus II Credits: (4-0) 4
PHYS 211 University Physics I Credits: 3 to 4 (Goal 6) ^1,3
PHYS 211L University Physics I Laboratory Credits: (0-1) 1
General Education Goal 3 or 4 Elective(s) Credits: 3 ¹
One of 3 credits in:
CSC 150/150L Computer Science I/Lab Credits: (2-1) 3
OR
CSC 170/170L Programming for Engineers and Scientists Credits: (3-0) 3

Total: 15

Sophomore Year

First Semester

MATH 225 Calculus III Credits: (4-0) 4
PHYS 213 University Physics II Credits: 3 to 4 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: 15

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: 3

Total: 15

Junior Year

First Semester

PHYS 312 Experimental Physics Design I Credits: (0-2) 2
PHYS 331 Introduction to Modern Physics Credits: (3-0) 3
PHYS 341 Thermodynamics Credits: (2-0) 2
PHYS 343 Statistical Physics Credits: (2-0) 2
PHYS 361 Optics Credits: (3-0) 3 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 ²
PHYS 471/571 Quantum Mechanics Credits: (4-0) 4
PHYS 314 Experimental Physics Design II Credits: (0-2) 2
Program Elective(s) Credits: 3

Total: 15

Senior Year

First Semester

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

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: 4

Total: 15

120 credits required for graduation

Curriculum Notes

Program Electives must include 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.

³ Four (4) credits required for Physics major.