UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES
Physics Minor
The physics minor requires 20 hours of physics including one of the introductory sequences (1013-1014, 1003-1004, or 1001-1002).
Astronomy Minor
The Astronomy minor is intended for students who are interested in learning about modern astronomy and astrophysics.
For non-physics majors the minor requires
- One of the introductory physics sequences (PHYS 1013/1014; or PHYS 1003/1004; or PHYS 1001/1002)
- PHYS 1008 (Astronomy and Space Physics)
- PHYS 2004 (Modern Physics: Atoms, Particles and Quanta)
- PHYS 3021 (Introduction to Theoretical Astrophysics)
- PHYS 3022 (Introduction to Observational Astronomy) for a total of 20 credit hours.
For physics majors the minor requires:
- PHYS 1008 (Astronomy and Space Physics)
- PHYS 3021 (Introduction to Theoretical Astrophysics)
- PHYS 3022 (Introduction to Observational Astronomy)
- PHYS 4931 (Topics of Special Interest in Contemporary Physics) with the PHYS 4931 course taken under the guidance of one of our astronomy/astrophysicist faculty and the topic being in the realm of astronomy or astrophysics. Note that this PHYS 4931 course is then used for the Astronomy minor requirement and may not then be used for a Physics major elective course requirement.
The Astronomy minor for a physics major requires a total of 12 credit hours beyond the physics major requirements.
Biophysics Minor
Students who complete the Biophysics minor achieve a grasp of physics as it relates to solving biological problems and to a general understanding of the nature of biological problems and of proteins and cell membranes in particular, and of several techniques based on physics principles that are used in biological investigations.
Requirements for the Biophysics minor:
- One year each of introductory biology, chemistry, and physics Introduction to organic chemistry (CHEM 2111/2112 or 2113/2114, or BISC 2050)
- Differential and integral calculus (MATH 1410 or MATH 1450/1451) PHYS 4046/5046, or equivalents by consent of Physics Department
- PHYS 4065/5065 PHYS 3953 and PHYS 3995, at least one credit each, minimum of three credits total.
