2005-06 Undergraduate Catalog
Majors
Students with a strong interest in understanding the fundamental whys and hows of natural physical phenomena are encouraged to consider majoring in physics. The knowledge acquired and analytical skills developed provide excellent broad-based training for a variety of careers in industry, education and government as well as preparation for further graduate study in physics, astronomy and astrophysics, science education, most areas of engineering, biophysics, law and medicine.
The Physics Department offers both Bachelor of Science (B.S.) and Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degrees in physics.
For either the B.S. or the B.A. degree, two different options are listed below for some of the courses, e.g. PHY 2048 or 2060. In this case, the second course contains selected advanced topics not covered in the first course. Both courses prepare students for taking upper-level physics classes Students are encouraged to see a physics department adviser to determine which course is appropriate for them.
Residency Requirement: Transfer students must take a minimum of 15 credits of the required Physics courses at the University of Florida.
Research: All undergraduate majors are encouraged to participate in research activities. Advanced students may also be eligible to enroll in certain graduate courses, thereby accelerating their education. Physics majors are urged to confer with a department adviser as early as possible and especially as their educational goals evolve.
General Education: Several courses meet the criteria in physical sciences (P). Some mathematical training (indicated in parentheses) is desirable or required for many of these courses.
Students with Advanced Placement credit should consult the academic advising section for course equivalencies. Sequences for the accelerated student are available from any physics adviser or www.phys.ufl.edu.
There are four course sequences in introductory physics:
The following is a sample schedule for students working toward the B.S. degree and taking Calculus 1 during the first semester. Students may have different schedules due to their background, when they enter UF, etc. In particular, students are encouraged to take Physics 1 with Calculus as soon as they have had Calculus 1, even if this means delaying chemistry. For all the physics courses, adequate mathematical preparation is essential and is built into the suggested plans. Physics majors should meet with a department adviser before planning their schedule.
Additional sample schedules are available on www.phys.ufl.edu, the Academic Programs link. Advisers can be emailed at advising@phys.ufl.edu.
Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Arts
The B.S. degree programis intended for those students going to graduate school in physics and related science and engineering disciplines.
The B.A. degree programis for students who want to major in physics but are not presently contemplating physics graduate studies. It provides a good foundation in the fundamentals while offering increased flexibility in the major, through fewer required courses and more electives, and opportunity for parallel studies in another discipline and/or preprofessional preparation.
| Physics |
| College: Liberal Arts and Sciences |
| Degree: Bachelor of Arts; Bachelor of Science |
| Hours for the Degree: 120 |
| Minor: Yes |
| Combined-Degree Program: Yes |
| Website: www.phys.ufl.edu |
Students with a strong interest in understanding the fundamental whys and hows of natural physical phenomena are encouraged to consider majoring in physics. The knowledge acquired and analytical skills developed provide excellent broad-based training for a variety of careers in industry, education and government as well as preparation for further graduate study in physics, astronomy and astrophysics, science education, most areas of engineering, biophysics, law and medicine.
The Physics Department offers both Bachelor of Science (B.S.) and Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degrees in physics.
For either the B.S. or the B.A. degree, two different options are listed below for some of the courses, e.g. PHY 2048 or 2060. In this case, the second course contains selected advanced topics not covered in the first course. Both courses prepare students for taking upper-level physics classes Students are encouraged to see a physics department adviser to determine which course is appropriate for them.
Residency Requirement: Transfer students must take a minimum of 15 credits of the required Physics courses at the University of Florida.
Research: All undergraduate majors are encouraged to participate in research activities. Advanced students may also be eligible to enroll in certain graduate courses, thereby accelerating their education. Physics majors are urged to confer with a department adviser as early as possible and especially as their educational goals evolve.
General Education: Several courses meet the criteria in physical sciences (P). Some mathematical training (indicated in parentheses) is desirable or required for many of these courses.
- PHY 1033C Discovering Physics
- MET 1010 Introduction to Weather and Climate
- PHY 2020 Introduction to the Principles of Physics (MAC 1147)
- PHY 2464 Physical Basis of Music (MAC 1147)
- PHY 3031 Development of Modern Ideas in Physics: The How and Why of Science
- PHY 3400 Light, Color and Holography
- PHY 3400L Holography Laboratory
- Any of the general physics sequence courses (PHY 2004, 2005, PHY 2048, 2049 and PHY 2053, 2054) meet this requirement.
Students with Advanced Placement credit should consult the academic advising section for course equivalencies. Sequences for the accelerated student are available from any physics adviser or www.phys.ufl.edu.
Courses
There are four course sequences in introductory physics:
- PHY 2004, 2005 (2004L, 2005L) emphasize the practical applications of basic physics to numerous professions, including architecture, agricultural sciences, building construction, forest resources, nursing and physical therapy.
- PHY 2048, 2049 (2048L, 2049L) is the recommended sequence for most science and engineering majors. This sequence provides a balanced, well-paced introduction to physics. Small discussion groups are an integral part of these lecture courses. A required co-requisite is the calculus sequence through MAC 2313. The one-credit laboratories are normally taken concurrently with PHY 2048 and PHY 2049, and are required for all engineering majors.
- PHY 2053, 2054 (2053L, 2054L) are intended primarily for students not majoring in a physical science or engineering field. These courses are usually taken by preprofessional students, especially those who have not taken calculus or who do not plan to take the complete calculus sequence.
- PHY 2060, 2061 (2048L, 2049L) covers the same material as PHY 2048, 2049 plus selected advanced topics. Students, especially those considering physics as a major, are encouraged to consult a physics department adviser to see if this sequence is appropriate for them.
Critical tracking critera for both degrees
The following is a sample schedule for students working toward the B.S. degree and taking Calculus 1 during the first semester. Students may have different schedules due to their background, when they enter UF, etc. In particular, students are encouraged to take Physics 1 with Calculus as soon as they have had Calculus 1, even if this means delaying chemistry. For all the physics courses, adequate mathematical preparation is essential and is built into the suggested plans. Physics majors should meet with a department adviser before planning their schedule.
Additional sample schedules are available on www.phys.ufl.edu, the Academic Programs link. Advisers can be emailed at advising@phys.ufl.edu.
To remain on track, students must meet the following critical-tracking criteria.
Semester 1:
- 2.0 UF GPA required for semesters 1-5
- Complete CHM 1025 or CHM 2045 or PHY 2048, and a MAC course
Semester 2:
- Complete CHM 2045 and CHM 2045L and MAC 2311
Semester 3:
- Complete PHY 2048, CHM 2046 and MAC 2312
Semester 4:
- Complete MAC 2313 and PHY 2049 with a 2.5 GPA on all critical-tracking course work
Semester 5:
- Complete MAP 2302 with a 2.5 GPA on all critical-tracking course work
Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Arts
The B.S. degree programis intended for those students going to graduate school in physics and related science and engineering disciplines.
Required Courses
- PHY 2048 or 2060,
- PHY 2049 or 2061,
- PHY 2048L-2049L,
- PHY 3101 or 3063,
- PHY 3221 or PHZ 3113,
- PHY 3323, 3513, 4222, 4324, 4523, 4604, 4802L, 4803L and
- One 3-credit approved physics elective.
- One year of college-level chemistry, including one chemistry laboratory course.
- A minimum of six credits in approved mathematics courses beyond MAP 2302 (differential equations).
- Selected computer science courses may be substituted for one of the math electives.
- Students must earn a grade of C or better for course work to count toward the major.
Suggested semester-by-semester plan
| Semester 1 | Credits |
| Composition (GE) | 3 |
| CHM 2045 General Chemistry 1 (GE–P) | 3 |
| CHM 2045L General Chemistry Laboratory 1 (GE–P) | 1 |
| MAC 2311 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1 (GE–M) | 4 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE) | 3 |
| Total | 14 |
| Semester 2 | Credits |
| CHM 2046 General Chemistry 2 (GE–P) | 3 |
| PHY 2048 Physics with Calculus 1 (GE–P) | 3 |
| PHY 2048L Laboratory for PHY 2048 (GE–P) | 1 |
| MAC 2312 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 2 (GE–M) | 4 |
| Humanities (GE) | 3 |
| Electives (GE) | 2-0 |
| Total | 16-14 |
| Semester 3 | Credits |
| PHY 2049 Physics with Calculus 2 (GE–P) | 3 |
| PHY 2049L Laboratory for PHY 2049 (GE–P) | 1 |
| Biological Sciences (GE) | 3 |
| MAC 2313 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 3 (GE–M) | 4 |
| Foreign language | 4-5 |
| Total | 15-16 |
| Semester 4 | Credits |
| PHY 3101 Introduction to Modern Physics (GE–P) | 3 |
| MAP 2302 Elementary Differential Equations (GE–M) | 3 |
| Biological Sciences (GE) | 3 |
| Foreign language | 3-5 |
| Humanities (GE) | 3 |
| Total | 15-17 |
| Semester 5 | Credits |
| PHY 3221 Mechanics 1 (GE–P) | 3 |
| PHY 3513 Thermal Physics 1 (GE–P) | 3 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE) | 3 |
| Math elective | 3 |
| Elective (or foreign language if 4-3-3 option) | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 6 | Credits |
| PHY 4222 Mechanics 2 | 3 |
| PHY 3323 Electromagnetism 1 (GE–P) | 3 |
| Math elective | 3 |
| Humanities (GE) | 3 |
| Composition (ENC 3254 Professional Writing in the Discipline, recommended) | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 7 | Credits |
| PHY 4604 Introductory Quantum Mechanics 1 (GE–P) | 3 |
| PHY 4324 Electromagnetism 2 (GE–P) | 3 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE) | 3 |
| PHY 4802L Laboratory Physics 1 | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 8 | Credits |
| PHY 4523 Statistical Physics | 3 |
| Physics elective | 3 |
| PHY 4803L Laboratory Physics 2 | 3 |
| Electives | 6 |
| Total | 15 |
The B.A. degree programis for students who want to major in physics but are not presently contemplating physics graduate studies. It provides a good foundation in the fundamentals while offering increased flexibility in the major, through fewer required courses and more electives, and opportunity for parallel studies in another discipline and/or preprofessional preparation.
Required Courses
- PHY 2048 or 2060,
- PHY 2049 or 2061,
- PHY 2048L and 2049L,
- PHY 3101 or 3063,
- PHY 3221 or PHZ 3113,
- PHY 3323, 3513, 4604, 4802L
- Any two 4000-level or higher physics courses that are included in the physics major curriculum.
- One year of college-level chemistry, including one chemistry laboratory course.
- A minimum of three credits in approved mathematics courses beyond MAP 2302 (differential equations).
- Selected computer science courses may be substituted for the math elective.
- All grades must be earned with a C or better.
Suggested semester-by-semester plan
| Semester 1 | Credits |
| Composition (GE) | 3 |
| CHM 2045 General Chemistry 1 (GE–P) | 3 |
| CHM 2045L General Chemistry Laboratory 1 (GE–P) | 1 |
| MAC 2311 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1 (GE–M) | 4 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE) | 3 |
| Total | 14 |
| Semester 2 | Credits |
| CHM 2046 General Chemistry 2 (GE–P) | 3 |
| PHY 2048 Physics with Calculus 1 (GE–P) | 3 |
| PHY 2048L Laboratory for PHY 2048 (GE–P) | 1 |
| MAC 2312 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 2 (GE–M) | 4 |
| Humanities (GE) | 3 |
| Electives (GE) | 2–0 |
| Total | 16–14 |
| Semester 3 | Credits |
| PHY 2049 Physics with Calculus 2 (GE–P) | 3 |
| PHY 2049L Laboratory for PHY 2049 (GE–P) | 1 |
| PHY 3513 Thermal Physics 1 | 3 |
| MAC 2313 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 3 (GE–M) | 4 |
| Foreign language | 4–5 |
| Total | 15–16 |
| Semester 4 | Credits |
| PHY 3101 Introduction to Modern Physics (GE–P) | 3 |
| MAP 2302 Elementary Differential Equations (GE–M) | 3 |
| PHY 3323 Electromagnetism 1 | 3 |
| Foreign language | 3–5 |
| Humanities (GE) | 3 |
| Total | 15–17 |
| Semester 5 | Credits |
| PHY 3221 Mechanics 1 (GE–P) | 3 |
| PHY 4802L Laboratory Physics 1 or any PHY course (4000 level or higher) | 3 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE) | 3 |
| Math elective | 3 |
| Elective (or foreign language if 4-3-3 option) | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 6 | Credits |
| PHY 4802L Laboratory Physics 1 or any PHY course (4000 level or higher) | 3 |
| Humanities (GE) | 3 |
| Composition (ENC 3254 Professional Writing in the Discipline, recommended) | 3 |
| Electives | 6 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 7 | Credits |
| PHY 4604 Introductory Quantum Mechanics 1 (GE–P) | 3 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE) | 3 |
| Biological Sciences (GE) | 3 |
| Elective (3000 level or above, not in major) | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 8 | Credits |
| Physics elective (4000 level or higher) | 3 |
| Biological Sciences (GE) | 3 |
| Electives | 9 |
| Total | 15 |