The applied physics option is available to students who wish to obtain an interdisciplinary education based in physics. It is the goal of this program to either enable students to develop their own interdisciplinary course of study or to pursue current interdisciplinary areas such as: biophysics, nuclear science and engineering, medical physics, optics, engineering physics, or chemical physics.
Program Distribution Requirements for the Applied Physics Major
Mathematics (Minimum 9/3 Units)
Courses must include a course in Calculus, Differential Equations, Vector Calculus, Boundary Value Problems, and may include applied mathematical courses in physics, chemistry, biology, or computer science.
Physics (Minimum 15/3 Units)
Students must take at least one course from each of the following physics core areas:
The graduate courses below may also be used to satisfy the Electromagnetism Requirement.
| ITEM # | TITLE | UNITS |
|---|---|---|
| PH 533 | ADVANCED ELECTROMAGNETIC THEORY | 1/3 |
The graduate courses below may also be used to satisfy the Quantum Mechanics Requirement.
| ITEM # | TITLE | UNITS |
|---|---|---|
| PH 514 | QUANTUM MECHANICS I | 1/3 |
| PH 515 | QUANTUM MECHANICS II | 1/3 |
The graduate courses below may also be used to satisfy the Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics Requirement.
| ITEM # | TITLE | UNITS |
|---|---|---|
| PH 522 | THERMODYNAMICS AND STATISTICAL MECHANICS | 1/3 |
To satisfy this requirement, a student must take and pass with a grade of C or better at least 1/3 unit from each of the core physics areas: Mechanics, Electromagnetism, Quantum Mechanics, Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics, and Experimental Techniques or Laboratory. An MQP (1 unit) is required. Physics 1110/1111, 1120/1121, 1130, and 1140 may be counted toward the 5 unit physics requirement. An MQP with substantial experimental activity, if approved in advance by the Physics Department Undergraduate Curriculum Committee, may substitute 1/3 units of an MQP in place of the Experimental Techniques / Laboratory course
Applied Focus (Minimum 6/3 Units)
The Applied Focus requirement is satisfied by completing a minor in a department other than physics or by completing a coherent group of at least two units of courses in an applied field. The 2 unit program must be formulated prior to the student’s final year of study by the student in consultation with his/her academic advisor and approved by the Physics Department Undergraduate Curriculum Committee.
GENERAL NOTE: Other courses or ISUs may satisfy one or more of these requirements upon prior approval by the Physics Undergraduate Curriculum Committee. For course substitutions, the student must submit a petition with a substitution proposal prior to the taking the course and the course instructor must provide a statement of support that the course will meet the qualifications of the substituted course.