Degree Requirements

Major in Physics

Physics four-year planI. Major Program Requirements

  • PHYS 155    Robotics & Experimental Physics*
  • PHYS 160    Einstein's Physics*
  • PHYS 205    Engineering Physics I: Mechanics
  • PHYS 206    Engineering Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism
  • PHYS/ENGR 305    Electronics and Circuit Analysis I
  • PHYS 323    Optics and Electromagnetic Radiation
  • PHYS 341    Mechanics*
  • PHYS 342    Thermal Physics*
  • PHYS 343    Computational Physics*
  • PHYS 344    Electromagnetism*
  • PHYS 346    Quantum Physics*
  • PHYS 352    Advanced Physics Lab*

II. Math Requirements

  • MA 121 & 122    Differential and Integral Calculus or MA 131 Calculus of Single Variable Functions
  • MA 232    Differential Equations and Linear Algebra I
  • MA 233    Multivariable Calculus
  • MA 315    Probability and Statistics
  • MA 334    Differential Equations and Linear Algebra II
  • MA 342    Numerical Computing and Visualization

III. Other Program Requirements

  • CS 220    Programming in Excel
  • ENWR 305    Technical Writing
  • CH 101-102    General Chemistry I-II    or BI 171-172    Biological Principles I-II    or EAS 201  Earth Science and EAS 302  Advanced Earth Science

Note:

  1. All physics majors must earn a grade of "C" or better in all required courses (Sections I-III above).  Students may not enroll in a required course without having first passed its prerequisites with a grade of "C" or better.
  2. Freshmen entering with a score of 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement Physics C--Mechanics exam may receive credit for PHYS 205; likewise, those with a 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement Physics C--Electricity/Magnetism exam may receive credit for PHYS 206.
  3. PHIL 252 (Philosophy and History of Science) and/or TH 254 (Theology and Science) may be of particular interest to physics majors.

*Pending Approval.

Minor in Physics

I. Minor Program Requirements

  • PHYS 160    Einstein's Physics*
  • PHYS 205    Engineering Physics I: Mechanics
  • PHYS 206    Engineering Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism
  • PHYS 323    Optics and Electromagnetic Radiation
  • PHYS/ENGR 305    Electronics and Circuit Analysis I

One additional course from the following list:

  • ENGR 302         Engineering Mechanics I: Statics
  • PHYS/ENGR 306   Electronics and Circuit Analysis II
  • PHYS 341    Mechanics*
  • PHYS 342    Thermal Physics*
  • PHYS 343    Computational Physics*
  • PHYS 344    Electromagnetism*
  • PHYS 346    Quantum Physics*

II. Math Requirements

  • MA 121 & 122      Differential and Integral Calculus or MA 131     Calculus of Single Variable Functions
  • MA 232    Differential Equations and Linear Algebra I
  • MA 233    Multivariable Calculus

III. Recommended Course

  • PHYS 155    Robotics & Experimental Physics*

Note:  All physics minors must earn a grade of "C" or better in all required courses (Sections I-II above).  Students may not enroll in a required course without having first passed its prerequisites with a grade of "C" or better.

*Pending Approval.

Minor in Physics for Secondary Education

I. Minor Program Requirements

  • PHYS 160    Einstein's Physics*
  • PHYS 205     Engineering Physics I: Mechanics
  • PHYS 206    Engineering Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism, Optics
  • PHYS 321     Geometrical Optics
  • PHYS/ENGR 305  Electronics and Circuit Analysis I

II. Math Requirements

  • MA 121 & 122  Differential and Integral Calculus or MA 131     Calculus of Single Variable Functions
  • MA 207    Elementary Statistics
  • MA 232    Differential Equations and Linear Algebra I
  • MA 233    Multivariable Calculus

III. Other Program Requirements

  • PHIL 252    Philosophy and History of Science
  • ED 346    Teaching Science in the Secondary School
  • Two courses chosen from Astronomy, Chemistry, or Earth Science

IV. Recommended Courses

  • PHYS 155    Robotics & Experimental Physics*
  • ENGR 302    Engineering Mechanics I: Statics

Note:

  1. In order to be licensed to teach in a secondary school in Montana, a student is required to have a teaching major in a subject field acceptable for licensure endorsement as well as the teaching minor. All degree students should review requirements for graduation as described in this catalog.
  2. All physics for secondary education students must have a minimum of 2.5 cumulative grade point average.  All Professional Education Requirements, Minor Program Requirements, and Other Program Requirements must be completed with a grade of “C” or better.

V.  Acceptance into the Teacher Education Program and Student Teaching Program
Teacher Education Program: Students pursuing academic programs that lead to teacher licensure must seek admission to the teacher education program by the end of their sophomore year.

Student Teaching Program: In the spring semester of the junior year, all preservice teachers must seek admission to the student teaching program. See index for page numbers for Teacher Education and Student Teaching programs.

*Pending Approval.