| NOTE: | The information in this file matches the corresponding print edition. More current information may be found at www.asu.edu/aad/catalogs/. |
Regents’ Professors: Smith, Spence, Starrfield
Professors: Alarcon, Bauer, Bennett, Burstein, Chamberlin, Comfort, Cowley, Doak, Dow, Hester, Lindsay, Menéndez, Page, Ponce, Rez, Ritchie, Sankey, Schmidt, Tillery, Tsen, Tsong, Venables, Windhorst, Wyckoff
Associate Professors: Aannestad, Culbertson, Drucker, Herbots, Marzke, Newman
Assistant Professors: Lebed, Ortiz, Shumway
Students majoring in Physics may pursue one of two options.
Option I. Designed for students who wish to pursue physics at the bachelor or graduate degree levels, option I consists of the following required courses:
| Choose between the course combinations below (4) | |
| PHY 150 Physics I SQ (4) | |
| ——— or ——— | |
| PHY 121 University Physics I: Mechanics SQ1 (3) | |
| PHY 122 University Physics Laboratory I SQ1 (1) | |
| Choose between the course combinations below (4) | |
| PHY 151 Physics II SQ (4) | |
| ——— or ——— | |
| PHY 131 University Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism SQ2 (3) | |
| PHY 132 University Physics Laboratory II SQ2 (1) | |
| PHY 201 | Mathematical Methods in Physics I CS (3) |
| PHY 252 | Physics III SQ (4) |
| PHY 302 | Mathematical Methods in Physics II (2) |
| PHY 310 | Classical Particles, Fields, and Matter I (3) |
| PHY 311 | Classical Particles, Fields, and Matter II (3) |
| PHY 314 | Quantum Physics I (3) |
| PHY 315 | Quantum Physics II (3) |
| PHY 333 | Electronic Circuits and Measurements (3) |
| PHY 334 | Advanced Laboratory I (2) |
| PHY 412 | Classical Particles, Fields, and Matter III (3) |
| PHY 416 | Quantum Physics III (3) |
| PHY 441 | Statistical and Thermal Physics I (3) |
| PHY 465 | Advanced Laboratory II (2) |
| Total: 45 | |
| 1 | Both PHY 121 and 122 must be taken to secure SQ credit. |
| 2 | Both PHY 131 and 132 must be taken to secure SQ credit. |
Supporting mathematics courses are as follows:
| Choose between the course combinations below (12 or 10) | |
| MAT 270 Calculus with Analytic Geometry I MA (4) | |
| MAT 271 Calculus with Analytic Geometry II MA (4) | |
| MAT 272 Calculus with Analytic Geometry III MA (4) | |
| ——— or ——— | |
| MAT 290 Calculus I MA (5) | |
| MAT 291 Calculus II (5) | |
Additional courses in physics and related fields are selected with the approval of the advisor. French, German, or Russian is strongly recommended to fulfill the foreign language requirement.
Option II. The interdisciplinary option II is designed for students who wish to obtain an undergraduate physics preparation for entry into other professions or graduate programs. A total of 53 hours are required, including the following courses:
| Choose between the course combinations below (4) | |
| PHY 150 Physics I SQ (4) | |
| ——— or ——— | |
| PHY 121 University Physics I: Mechanics SQ1 (3) | |
| PHY 122 University Physics Laboratory I SQ1 (1) | |
| Choose between the course combinations below (4) | |
| PHY 151 Physics II SQ (4) | |
| ——— or ——— | |
| PHY 131 University Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism SQ2 (3) | |
| PHY 132 University Physics Laboratory II SQ2 (1) | |
| PHY 201 | Mathematical Methods in Physics I CS (3) |
| PHY 252 | Physics III SQ (4) |
| PHY 302 | Mathematical Methods in Physics II (2) |
| PHY 310 | Classical Particles, Fields, and Matter I (3) |
| PHY 311 | Classical Particles, Fields, and Matter II (3) |
| PHY 314 | Quantum Physics I (3) |
| PHY 315 | Quantum Physics II (3) |
| PHY 333 | Electronic Circuits and Measurements (3) |
| PHY 334 | Advanced Laboratory I (2) |
| PHY 412 | Classical Particles, Fields, and Matter III (3) |
| PHY 441 | Statistical and Thermal Physics I (3) |
| Total: 40 | |
| 1 | Both PHY 121 and 122 must be taken to secure SQ credit. |
| 2 | Both PHY 131 and 132 must be taken to secure SQ credit. |
The remaining courses are selected from physics and an area of concentration as approved by the student’s advisor. Possible areas of concentration are astronomy, astrophysics, materials science, physical chemistry, applied mathematics, geophysics, biological physics, philosophy of science, scientific journalism, and premedical and prelaw programs. French, German, or Russian is strongly recommended to fulfill the foreign language requirement.
Supporting mathematics courses are as follows:
| Choose between the course combinations below (12 or 10) | |
| MAT 270 Calculus with Analytic Geometry I MA (4) | |
| MAT 271 Calculus with Analytic Geometry II MA (4) | |
| MAT 272 Calculus with Analytic Geometry III MA (4) | |
| ——— or ——— | |
| MAT 290 Calculus I MA (5) | |
| MAT 291 Calculus II (5) | |
The astronomy faculty offer courses in astronomy both for nonscience majors and for science and physics majors. For an emphasis in astronomy, the following courses (or their equivalents) should be taken:
| AST 321 | Introduction to Planetary and Stellar Astrophysics SQ1 (3) |
| AST 322 | Introduction to Galactic and Extragalactic Astrophysics SQ2 (3) |
| AST 421 | Astrophysics I (3) |
| AST 422 | Astrophysics II (3) |
| AST 499 | Individualized Instruction (3) |
| Total: 15 |
| 1 | Both AST 113 and 321 must be taken to secure SQ credit. |
| 2 | Both AST 114 and 322 must be taken to secure SQ credit. |
The minor in Astronomy consists of a minimum of 24 semester hours. Required courses are as follows:
| AST 113 | Astronomy Laboratory I SQ1 (1) |
| AST 114 | Astronomy Laboratory II SQ2 (1) |
| AST 321 | Introduction to Planetary and Stellar Astrophysics SQ1 (3) |
| AST 322 | Introduction to Galactic and Extragalactic Astrophysics SQ2 (3) |
| Choose between the course combinations below (4) | |
| PHY 150 Physics I SQ (4) | |
| ——— or ——— | |
| PHY 121 University Physics I: Mechanics SQ3 (3) | |
| PHY 122 University Physics Laboratory I SQ3 (1) | |
| Choose between the course combinations below (4) | |
| PHY 151 Physics II SQ (4) | |
| ——— or ——— | |
| PHY 131 University Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism SQ4 (3) | |
| PHY 132 University Physics Laboratory II SQ4 (1) | |
| PHY 252 | Physics III SQ (4) |
| Approved upper-division electives (4) | |
| Total: 24 | |
| 1 | Both AST 113 and 321 must be taken to secure SQ credit. |
| 2 | Both AST 114 and 322 must be taken to secure SQ credit. |
| 3 | Both PHY 121 and 122 must be taken to secure SQ credit. |
| 4 | Both PHY 131 and 132 must be taken to secure SQ credit. |
Electives are chosen with the approval of an astronomy advisor from upper-division courses in physics and astronomy.
The minor in Physics consists of a minimum of 29 semester hours. Required courses are as follows:
| Choose between the course combinations below (4) | |
| PHY 150 Physics I SQ (4) | |
| ——— or ——— | |
| PHY 121 University Physics I: Mechanics SQ1 (3) | |
| PHY 122 University Physics Laboratory I SQ1 (1) | |
| Choose between the course combinations below (4) | |
| PHY 151 Physics II SQ (4) | |
| ——— or ——— | |
| PHY 131 University Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism SQ2 (3) | |
| PHY 132 University Physics Laboratory II SQ2 (1) | |
| PHY 201 | Mathematical Methods in Physics I CS (3) |
| PHY 252 | Physics III SQ (4) |
| PHY 302 | Mathematical Methods in Physics II (2) |
| PHY 310 | Classical Particles, Fields, and Matter I (3) |
| PHY 311 | Classical Particles, Fields, and Matter II (3) |
| PHY 314 | Quantum Physics I (3) |
| Approved electives (3) | |
| Total: 29 | |
| 1 | Both PHY 121 and 122 must be taken to secure SQ credit. |
| 2 | Both PHY 131 and 132 must be taken to secure SQ credit. |
Electives are chosen with the approval of the physics advisor from upper-division courses in physics and astronomy.
Concentrations in astronomy and physics are available under the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (B.I.S.) degree, a program intended for the student who has academic interests that might not be satisfied with existing majors. Building on two academic concentrations (or one double concentration) and an interdisciplinary core, students in the B.I.S. program take active roles in creating their educational plans and defining their career goals. For more information, see Division of Undergraduate Academic Services, “Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies.”
Physics. This degree is offered through the Initial Teacher Certification program in the College of Education. Students pursuing a major in Secondary Education have an advisor in the College of Education and an advisor within the department of their academic specialization area.
See “College of Education” for information on admission eligibility requirements, admission deadlines, field experiences, and student teaching. For more information, or to schedule an appointment with an advisor, call the Office of Student Services in the College of Education at 480/965-5555.
The major teaching field consists of 42 semester hours. Required courses are as follows:
| Choose between the course combinations below (4) | |
| PHY 150 Physics I SQ1 (4) | |
| ——— or ——— | |
| PHY 121 University Physics I: Mechanics SQ2 (3) | |
| PHY 122 University Physics Laboratory I SQ2 (1) | |
| Choose between the course combinations below (4) | |
| PHY 151 Physics II SQ1 (4) | |
| ——— or ——— | |
| PHY 131 University Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism SQ3 (3) | |
| PHY 132 University Physics Laboratory II SQ3 (1) | |
| PHY 201 | Mathematical Methods in Physics I CS (3) |
| PHY 252 | Physics III SQ1 (4) |
| PHY 302 | Mathematical Methods in Physics II (2) |
| PHY 310 | Classical Particles, Fields, and Matter I (3) |
| PHY 311 | Classical Particles, Fields, and Matter II (3) |
| PHY 333 | Electronic Circuits and Measurements (3) |
| PHY 361 | Introductory Modern Physics (3)
or PHY 314 Quantum Physics I (3) |
| PHY 480 | Methods of Teaching Physics (3)
or PHY 484 Internship: Physics Teaching (1–4) |
| Approved electives (10) | |
| Total: 42 | |
| 1 | PHY 111, 112, 113, and 114 or equivalents may be substituted for PHY 150, 151, and 252 with approval of the advisor. |
| 2 | Both PHY 121 and 122 must be taken to secure SQ credit. |
| 3 | Both PHY 131 and 132 must be taken to secure SQ credit. |
Electives are chosen in physics or other closely related fields, subject to the approval of the advisor.
Minor Teaching Field. The minor teaching field consists of 24 semester hours. Required courses are as follows:
| Choose between the course combinations below (4) | |
| PHY 150 Physics I SQ1 (4) | |
| ——— or——— | |
| PHY 121 University Physics I: Mechanics SQ2 (3) | |
| PHY 122 University Physics Laboratory I SQ2 (1) | |
| Choose between the course combinations below (4) | |
| PHY 151 Physics II SQ1 (4) | |
| ——— or——— | |
| PHY 131 University Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism SQ3 (3) | |
| PHY 132 University Physics Laboratory II SQ3 (1) | |
| PHY 201 | Mathematical Methods in Physics I CS (3) |
| PHY 252 | Physics III SQ1 (4) |
| PHY 314 | Quantum Physics I (3)
or PHY 361 Introductory Modern Physics (3) |
| PHY 480 | Methods of Teaching Physics (3)
or PHY 484 Internship: Physics Teaching (1–4) |
| Approved elective (3) | |
| Total: 24 | |
| 1 | PHY 111, 112, 113, and 114 may be substituted for PHY 150, 151, and 252, or equivalents, with approval of the advisor. |
| 2 | Both PHY 121 and 122 must be taken to secure SQ credit. |
| 3 | Both PHY 131 and 132 must be taken to secure SQ credit. |
The remaining hours are selected from upper-division courses in physics or astronomy (including AST 113 and 114), subject to approval of the advisor.
The faculty in the Department of Physics and Astronomy offer programs leading to the degrees of Master of Natural Science, M.S., and Ph.D. See the Graduate Catalog for requirements.
| Astronomy (AST) Courses |
| Physical Sciences (PHS) Courses |
| Physics (PHY) Courses |
| Omnibus Courses: See omnibus courses that may be offered. |
| Page Last Updated:
November 16, 2005 | Visits to this page: |