BA in Physics
Below is a sample 4-year plan for students pursuing the BA in Physics. To view the list of courses approved to fulfill Core 34, please visit the KU Core 34 page.
This degree plan assumes students will have the equivalent of MATH 101 or MATH 104 prior to freshman year, fall semester.
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| MATH 125 (Core 34: Math and Statistics (SGE))030* | 4 | MATH 126 (BA Quantitative Reasoning (QR), Major Pre-requisite) | 4 |
| CHEM 130 (Core 34: Natural and Physical Sciences (SGE))040* | 5 | PHSX 211 & PHSX 216 (Major Requirement) | 5 |
| Core 34: English (SGE)010 | 3 | Core 34: English (SGE)010 | 3 |
| Core 34: Social and Behavior Science (SGE)050 | 3 | Core 34: Communications (SGE)020 | 3 |
| PHSX 150 (Major Requirement) | 0.5 | ||
| 15.5 | 15 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| PHSX 212 & PHSX 236 (Major Requirement), or | 4 | PHSX 313 (Major Requirement)3 | 3 |
| PHSX 316 (Major Requirement) | 1 | ||
| MATH 127 | 4 | MATH 220 or 320 | 3 |
| MATH 290 | 2 | Core 34: Arts and Humanities (SGE)060 | 3 |
| 1st Semester Language (BA Second Language) | 5 | 2nd Semester Language (BA Second Language) | 5 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| PHSX 521 | 3 | PHSX 536 (or Elective/KU Core) | 4 |
| Core 34: Social and Behavior Science (SGE)050 | 3 | PHSX 611 | 3 |
| Core 34: Arts and Humanities (SGE)060 | 3 | Core 34: US Culture (SGE)070 | 3 |
| 3rd Semester Language (BA Second Language) | 3 | 4th Semester Language (BA Second Language)1 | 3 |
| Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours7 | 3 | Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours7 | 3 |
| 15 | 16 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| PHSX 531 (Major Requirement) | 3 | PHSX Lecture or Lab Elective 500+ (Major Requirement)5 | 3 |
| PHSX 616 or 536 (or Elective/KU Core)4 | 4 | PHSX 503 (Recommended; Capstone Requirement)6 | 3 |
| Core 34: Global Culture (SGE)070 | 3 | Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours7 | 3 |
| Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours7 | 3 | Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours7 | 3 |
| Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours7 | 3 | Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours7 | 1 |
| 16 | 13 | ||
| Total Hours 120.5 | |||
- 1
For students completing the language requirement via the 3+1 language option, note that many first semester languages are 5 credit hours.
- 2
Prerequisite for MATH 125: MATH 104; or MATH 103; or three years of college preparatory mathematics including trigonometry and a score of 28 or higher on ACT mathematics; or a qualifying score on the mathematics placement test.
- 3
MATH 320 or MATH 220 (or MATH 221) is a pre-requisite for PHSX 313.
- 4
Either PHSX 536 or PHSX 616 is required for the major, not both.
- 5
A 500+ level Physics laboratory or lecture elective is required for the major.
- 6
It is recommended that students fulfill the Capstone Requirement with a course from within their major. PHSX 503 Undergraduate Research is not required by the major, but is an encouraged course to fulfill the Capstone Requirement and to fulfill research experience.
- 7
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.
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.
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.