BS in Physics

Below is a sample 4-year plan for students pursuing the BS in Physics. To view the list of courses approved to fulfill Core 34, please visit the KU Core 34 page.

Freshman
FallHoursSpringHours
MATH 125 (Core 34: Math and Statistics (SGE), Major Requirement)030*4MATH 1264
PHSX 150 (Major Requirement)0.5PHSX 213 or 211 and 216 (Major Requirement)5
CHEM 130, 150, 170, or 190 and 191 (Core 34: Natural and Physical Sciences (SGE), Major Requirement)040*5Core 34: English (SGE)0103
Core 34: English (SGE)0103Core 34: Communications (SGE)0203
Core 34: Social and Behavior Science (SGE)0503 
 15.5 15
Sophomore
FallHoursSpringHours
PHSX 214 or 212 and 236 (Major Requirement)4MATH 320 (Major Requirement)3
MATH 290 (Major Requirement)2PHSX 503 or 501 (Major Requirement)1
MATH 127 (Major Requirement)4PHSX 313 (Major Requirement)3
EECS 138 or 168 (Major Requirement)33PHSX 316 (Major Requirement)1
Core 34: Arts and Humanities (SGE)0603PHSX 3153
 Core 34: Global Culture (SGE)0703
 16 14
Junior
FallHoursSpringHours
PHSX 521 (Major Requirement)3PHSX 611 (Major Requirement)3
PHSX 5364PHSX 6164
Math Elective (Major Requirement)3PHSX 621 (Major Requirement)3
Core 34: Arts and Humanities (SGE)0603Core 34: Social and Behavior Science (SGE)0503
Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours23Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours21
 16 14
Senior
FallHoursSpringHours
PHSX 711 (Major Requirement)3PHSX 631 (Major Requirement)3
PHSX 531 (Major Requirement)3PHSX Elective (Major Requirement)3
PHSX 671 (Major Requirement)3PHSX 503 or 501 (Capstone)13
Core 34: US Culture (SGE)0703Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours23
Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours23Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours23
 15 15
Total Hours 120.5
1

It is recommended that students fulfill the Capstone Requirement with a course from within their major. PHSX 503 Undergraduate Research counts toward the Capstone Requirement if taken for at least 3 credit hours.

2

Hour requirements (incl. 45 jr/sr hrs) are typically met through Core 34, degree, major, second area of study and/or elective hours.  Students completing the BGS with a major must choose a secondary area of study.  Individual degree mapping is done in partnership with your advisor.

3

Course offering using the python programming language recommended.

Please note:

All students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences are required to complete 120 total hours of which 45 hours must be at the Jr/Sr (300+) level.

*Courses with a * designate courses that are degree requirements but can also be taken to fulfill the KU Core 34 requirement.  If another course if used to fulfill the Core 34 requirement, the course listed is still required as a degree requirement.

Notes:

*  - This course is a Required major course and is also part of Core 34: Systemwide General Education.  If this course is not taken to fulfill the Core 34:SGE requirement, it must be taken in place of elective hours.

**  - This course is a Recommended Core 34: Systemwide General Education course.  This specific course is not required but is recommended by the program’s faculty.

***  - This course is a Required Core 34: Systemwide General Education course.  This program is approved by the Kansas Board of Regents to require this specific Core 34:Systemwide General Education course.  If a student did not take this course it must be taken in addition to other degree requirements.