Academic Catalog
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The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Physics provides students with a broad-based knowledge and expertise in the laws of physics, the most fundamental natural science. The program provides opportunities for hands-on experience with scientific equipment and essential skills in scientific computing. A physics major provides a wide range of career and research options. Graduates will be prepared for advanced, professional studies in physics, and other scientific disciplines, including engineering and medicine.
For timely degree completion, students must complete all program milestones. The following actions occur when milestones are missed: first occurrence—warning and advising hold; second occurrence—advising hold and counseling regarding progression requirements; and third occurrence—counseling and change to a major outside of the Department of Chemistry and Physics that is more appropriate to student goals and academic performance. Appeals are handled through the relevant department. The decision of the appeal committee is final. Program milestones include the following:
- PHY 2048/L (or PHY 2048C) minimum grade of C completed one calendar year from admission as FTIC or 30 credits earned, whichever is earlier.
- PHY 2049/L (or PHY 2049C) minimum grade of C completed by end of fifth semester (including summers) from admission as FTIC or 60 credits earned, whichever is earlier.
- All of PHY 3101, PHY 3221, and PHY 3323 minimum grade of C completed by end of eighth semester (including summers) from admission as FTIC or 90 credits earned, whichever is earlier.
- PHY 4821L minimum grade of C completed by end of eighth semester (including summers) from admission as FTIC or 90 credits earned, whichever is earlier.
Transfer students may declare the major after they have completed PHY 2048/L (or PHY 2048C), PHY 2049/L (or PHY 2049C), and one of PHY 3101, PHY 3221, or PHY 3323 with grades of C or better in each course. PHY 4821L must be completed with a grade of C or better within one calendar year of declaring the major.
In addition to the program requirements, students must:
- Complete a minimum of 120 credits.
- Complete a minimum of 48 of the 120 credits at the upper division (3000 - 4999 level).
- Earn a cumulative GPA of 2.0 for all coursework attempted at FGCU.
- Satisfy the College-Level Skills and foreign language entrance requirements.
- Satisfy the Service Learning requirement. See: https://www.fgcu.edu/studentlife/servicelearning/.
- Satisfy the Civic Literacy requirement.
- Satisfy the residency requirement: 30 of the last 60 credits must be completed at FGCU.
- Complete the summer course enrollment requirement.
- Submit an Application for Graduation by the deadline listed in the FGCU Academic Calendar.
- FGCU General Education Program (https://www.fgcu.edu/academics/generaleducation/) To prevent or minimize excess hours, select general education courses that satisfy common prerequisite requirements for your intended major.
- Common Prerequisites
For this major, common prerequisite courses with an asterisk (*) require prior knowledge and skills demonstrated through degree acceleration programs (e.g., the College Board's Advanced Placement Program [AP], International Baccalaureate Program [IB], College- Level Examination Program [CLEP], Advanced International Certificate of Education Program [AICE]); dual enrollment; placement exam; or college coursework.
FGCU Courses: *CHM 1045 General Chemistry I (3) and CHM 1045L General Chemistry I Lab (1) Minimum grade of C
Acceptable Substitutes: (CHMX040 and CHMX041) or CHM045C or (CHMX045 and CHMX045L)
[Prerequisites of MAT 1033 minimum grade of C then MAC 1105 minimum grade of C; or relevant accelerated credit; or placement exam]
FGCU Courses: CHM 1046 General Chemistry II (3) and CHM 1046L General Chemistry II Lab (1) Minimum grade of C
Acceptable Substitutes: (CHMX046 and CHMX046L) or CHMX046C
FGCU Courses: *MAC 2311 Calculus I (4) Minimum grade of C
Acceptable Substitute: MACX311 or MACX281
[Prerequisites of MAT 1033 minimum grade of C then MAC 1105 minimum grade of C then MAC 1147 minimum grade of C; or relevant accelerated credit; or placement exam]
FGCU Courses: MAC 2312 Calculus II (4) Minimum grade of C
Acceptable Substitutes: MACX312 or MAC X282
FGCU Courses: MAC 2313 Calculus III (4) Minimum grade of C
Acceptable Substitutes: MACX313 or MAC X283
FGCU Course: PHY 2048 General Physics I (3) and PHY 2048L General Physics I Laboratory (1) Minimum grade of C
Acceptable Substitutes: PHYX048C or (PHYX048 and PHYX048L)
FGCU Course: PHY 2049 General Physics II (3) and PHY 2049L General Physics II Laboratory (1) Minimum grade of C
Acceptable Substitutes: PHYX049C or (PHYX049 and PHYX049L)
- Required Courses in the Major (40 credits)
A minimum grade of C is required in each course
MAP 2302 Differential Equations (3)
MAP 3161 Math for Science & Engineering (4)
MAS 3105 Linear Algebra (3)
PHY 1024 Exploring Majoring in Physics (1)
PHY 3101 Intro. to Modern Physics (3)
PHY 3221 Intermediate Mechanics (4)
PHY 3323 Electricity and Magnetism I (3)
PHY 3513 Thermal-Statistical Physics (3)
PHY 4151C Computational Physics (4)
PHY 4604 Introduction to Quantum Theory (3)
PHY 4821L Advanced Physics Laboratory (2)
PHY 4911 Senior Project in Physics (3)
PHY 4949 Senior Capstone in Physics (3)
PHY 4950 Senior Project Presentation (1) - Restricted Electives in the Major (6 credits)
A minimum grade of C is required in each course
AST 3211 Essentials of Astrophysics (3)
PHY 3940 Internship in Physics (1-4)
PHY 4905 Directed Independent Study (1-3)
PHY 4910 Directed Independent Research (1-3)
PHY 4930 Special Topics in Physics (3) - University Requirements (3 credits)
IDS 3920 University Colloquium (3) - Additional Electives – as needed to reach total credits required for the degree
