BS in Physics with specialization in Standard Physics
Below is a sample 4-year plan for students pursuing the BS in Physics. This degree provides coursework and training necessary for students interested in pursuing graduate study in physics. To view the list of courses approved to fulfill KU Core Goals, please visit the KU Core website.
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| MATH 125 (Goal 1.2 Quantitative Reasoning, Major Requirement) | 4 | MATH 126 | 4 |
| PHSX 150 (Major Requirement) | 0.5 | PHSX 213 or 211 and 216 (Goal 1.1 Critical Thinking, Major Requirement) | 5 |
| CHEM 130, 150, 170, or 190 and 191 (Goal 3 Natural Science, Major Requirement) | 5 | Goal 2.1 Written Communication (2 of 2) | 3 |
| Goal 2.1 Written Communication (1 of 2) | 3 | Goal 3 Arts and Humanities | 3 |
| Goal 2.2 Communication | 3 | ||
| 15.5 | 15 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| PHSX 214 or 212 and 236 (Goal 3 Natural Science, Major Requirement) | 4 | MATH 320 (Major Requirement) | 3 |
| MATH 290 (Major Requirement) | 2 | PHSX 503 or 501 (Major Requirement) | 1 |
| MATH 127 (Major Requirement) | 4 | PHSX 313 (Major Requirement) | 3 |
| EECS 138 or 168 (Major Requirement) | 3 | PHSX 316 (Major Requirement) | 1 |
| Goal 3 Social Science | 3 | PHSX 315 | 3 |
| Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours2 | 3 | ||
| 16 | 14 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| PHSX 521 (Major Requirement) | 3 | PHSX 611 (Major Requirement) | 3 |
| PHSX 536 | 4 | PHSX 616 | 4 |
| Math Elective (Major Requirement) | 3 | PHSX 621 (Major Requirement) | 3 |
| Goal 4.1 US Diversity | 3 | Goal 4.2 Global Awareness | 3 |
| Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours2 | 3 | Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours2 | 1 |
| 16 | 14 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| PHSX 711 (Major Requirement) | 3 | PHSX 631 (Major Requirement) | 3 |
| PHSX 531 (Major Requirement) | 3 | PHSX Elective (Major Requirement) | 3 |
| PHSX 671 (Major Requirement) | 3 | Goal 6 Integration & Creativity (PHSX 503 or PHSX 501 is recommended)1 | 3 |
| Goal 5 Social Responsibility and Ethics | 3 | Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours2 | 3 |
| Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours2 | 3 | Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours2 | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total Hours 120.5 | |||
| 1 | It is recommended that students fulfill Goal 6 with a course from within their major. PHSX 503 Undergraduate Research counts toward KU Core Goal 6 if taken for at least 3 credit hours. |
| 2 | Hour requirements (incl. 45 jr/sr hrs) are typically met through KU core, 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.
The same course cannot be used to fulfill more than one KU Core Goal. However, overlap of a KU Core course with a major or degree-specific requirement is allowed. Overlapping is recommended to allow more opportunities to explore other majors and/or minors.