BS and BA Degrees

The Department of Physics offers two undergraduate degree programs: the Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Physics, and the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Physics. The BA degree provides a broad coverage of classical and modern physics while permitting a broader liberal arts education. It is normally selected by students who do not envision a professional career in physics, but plan to enter a professional school later in their academic career, e.g. medicine, dentistry, law, or who desire to pursue a teaching certificate. The BS degree in Physics is designed to prepare students for a scientific careers immediately upon graduation or for further training in graduate school. Students pursuing either of the two degrees can receive a broad education in phyiscs or choose to specialize in different areas: condensed matter physics, optics, computational physics, biological physics, astronomy, and others. For more details see Major Requirements.

Dual Degrees/Dual Majors

Students may wish to pursue two baccalaureate degrees simultaneously. For example, this might include a BS in physics and a BS in engineering, which is the most common choice. In order to receive two baccalaureate degrees a student must complete a minimum of 130 credit hours and complete all the specified requirements for both degrees.

Another degree option which may be pursued is that of a single baccalaureate degree with two areas of concentration (dual majors), which may be developed with the concurrence of appropriate advisors in the two departments. A notation of the successful completion of the two areas appears on the student's transcript. This option requires that both departments be in the College of Arts and Sciences. Dual options most likely chosen by a physics major would be chemistry, mathematics, geology or computer science. Mathematics is a particularly viable dual major because the extensive mathematics component normally required in the BS degree.

Major with Honors

The purpose of the departmental Honors program in Physics is to provide exceptional students with an opportunity to develop skills beyond that of the normal course work and to acknowledge those students who have attained a level of achievement above and beyond what is normally expected of an undergraduate Physics major. To receive Honors Degree in Physics a student must meet the following criteria:
    1) satisfy the BA or BS degree requirements and have sophomore standing
    2) cumulative GPA of at least 3.30
    3) minimum GPA of 3.50 in Physics Department courses
    4) complete the equivalent of four units of Physics 300 - Undergraduate Research
    5) prior to graduation the student must present a paper at a regional or national meeting, or an oral defense of higher research paper to a faculty panel that will consist of no fewer than three Physics Department faculty members.

Minor in Physics or Astronomy

A student whose major is in another department may receive a minor in physics or astronomy with the completion of 19 credit hours of physics/astronomy courses. For details see Minor Requirements.

Careful planning started early in one's academic career is required to meet the conditions of dual majors or dual degrees. Students who complete such programs obtain the maximum from their undergraduate experience. Academic Advising for undergraduates is provided by the Department's Director of Undergraduate Studies, a faculty member knowledgeable in all aspects of undergraduate advising, including transfers, dual majors, honors programs and university regulations. The Director of Undergraduate Studies for the Physics Department is:

Prof. Dorina Kosztin
224 Physics Building
(573) 882-2238
(573) 882-3335 (departmental office)

Please contact her for any additional information.