University of Colorado Denver College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Students should consult with an advisor before choosing a major track in physics. This track is intended for those preparing for graduate school, teaching careers, or careers in industry or applied physics. Students preparing for employment in an interdisciplinary area, such as environmental, geophysical, or energy study, can choose to add an appropriate minor or arrange a specific major program on an individual basis, as approved by an advisor.

Typical Curriculum (Physics, Track 1)

A sample curriculum for a Track 1 major follows; this sample is not intended as a mandatory schedule, but is provided only to give the student a standard by which to judge his or her progress and to indicate which semesters the required upper division classes are offered.

Freshman Year

Fall Semester — 15 Credit Hours

• MATH 1401, Calculus I (four credit hours)
• PHYS 2311, General Physics I: Calculus-based (four credit hours)
• PHYS 2321, General Physics Lab I (one credit hour)
• Core Course (three credit hours)
• Core Course (three credit hours)

Spring Semester — 15 Credit Hours

• MATH 2411, Calculus II (four credit hours)
• PHYS 2331, General Physics II: Calculus-based (four credit hours)
• PHYS 2341, General Physics Lab II (one credit hour)
• Core Course (three credit hours)
• Core Course (three credit hours)

Sophomore Year

Fall Semester — 15 credit hours

• MATH 2421, Calculus III (four credit hours)
• PHYS 2811, Modern Physics I (four credit hours)
• PHYS 2711, Vibrations and Waves (three credit hours)
• Core Course (three credit hours)
• Elective (four credit hours)

Spring Semester — 19 credit hours

• MATH 3195, Linear Algebra and Differential Equations (four credit hours)
• PHYS 3411, Thermal Physics (three credit hours)
• Core Course (three credit hours)
• Core Course (three credit hours)
• Electives (six credit hours)

Junior Year

Fall Semester — 15 credit hours

• PHYS 3120, Methods of Mathematical Physics (three credit hours)
• PHYS 3211, Analytical Mechanics (four credit hours)
• PHYS 3711, Junior Lab I (two credit hours)
• Core Course (three credit hours)
• Upper division elective (three credit hours)

Spring Semester — 15 credit hours

• PHYS 3721, Junior Lab II (two credit hours)
• PHYS 3811, Quantum Mechanics (three credit hours)
• Core Course (three credit hours)
• Upper division electives (seven credit hours)

SENIOR YEAR

Fall Semester — 15 credit hours

• PHYS 4331, Principles of Electricity and Magnetism (four credit hours)
• PHYS 4650, Solid State Physics (three credit hours) or
  PHYS 4810, Atomic and Molecular Structure (three credit hours)
• PHYS 4711, Senior Lab I (two credit hours)
• Core Course (three credit hours)
• Upper division elective (three credit hours)

Spring Semester — 14 credit hours

• PHYS 3820, Subatomic Physics (three credit hours) or
  PHYS 4510, Optics (three credit hours)
• PHYS 4721, Senior Lab II (two credit hours)
• Core Course (three credit hours)
• Core Course (three credit hours)
• Upper division elective (three credit hours)

Requirements for the Major

Students must declare their intention to major in physics by the time they have completed 60 semester hours, and complete between 47 and 49 credit hours in physics (depending on the track chosen) to receive the degree of bachelor of science in physics. No grade below a C (2.0) can be used to meet the requirements for the major. At least 12 credit hours of the requirements for the major must be completed at CU Denver.

A senior thesis is required for all students wishing to graduate with departmental honors. For all other students, the faculty encourages a senior thesis or project.

Required Physics Courses Common to all Tracks

Required Physic Courses (26 credit hours)

• PHYS 2311, General Physics I: Calculus-Based (four credit hours)
• PHYS 2331, General Physics II: Calculus-Based (four credit hours)
• PHYS 2371, Topic-Driven Physics Lab (three credit hours)
• PHYS 2711, Vibrations and Waves (three credit hours)
• PHYS 2811, Modern Physics (four credit hours)
• PHYS 3120, Methods of Mathematical Physics (three credit hours)
• PHYS 3711, Junior Lab I (two credit hours)
• PHYS 3811, Quantum Mechanics (three credit hours)

Note: the department will accept the following combination of independent study and introductory lab courses in lieu of PHYS 2371. However, PHYS 2371 is strongly recommended because it provides explicit preparation for upper division lab courses.

• PHYS 1840, Independent Study (one credit hour)
• PHYS 2321, General Physics Lab 1 (one credit hour)
• PHYS 2341, General Physics Lab II (one credit hour)

Required Ancillary Courses (16 credit hours)

• MATH 1401, Calculus I (four credit hours)
• MATH 2411, Calculus II (four credit hours)
• MATH 2421, Calculus III (four credit hours)
• MATH 3195, Linear Algebra and Differential Equations (four credit hours)

Note: the department will accept the following combination of math courses in place of MATH 3195.

• MATH 3191, Applied Linear Algebra (three credit hours)
• MATH 3200, Elementary Differential Equations (three credit hours)

Required Courses Specific to Pure & Applied Physics, Track 1 (21 credit hours)

• PHYS 3211, Analytical Mechanics (four credit hours)
• PHYS 3411, Thermal Physics (three credit hours)
• PHYS 3721, Junior Lab II (two credit hours)
• PHYS 4711, Senior Lab I (two credit hours)
• PHYS 4331, Principles of Electricity and Magnetism (four credit hours)*
• Physics-related electives at 3000 level or above approved by advisor (six credit hours, including three credits of independent study)

Total Credit Hours for Track 1

*Students who must retake PHYS 4331 may fulfill this requirement by obtaining a C or better in PHYS 4351, Bioelectromagnetism.