Physics, BA, Four-Year Plan
Four-Year Plan for the Bachelor of Arts in Physics
Sample Plan for New Students
This is a sample and not the only way to complete this plan. Number of credits are in parentheses. *Some classes have prerequisites.
Important Major Information
- Minimum Credits to Graduate: 180
- Credits in Major: 89
- Minimum Major GPA: 2.0
- Minimum Cumulative GPA: 2.0
- Please see my.seattleu.edu for elective options
Four-Year Plan For New Students
Year 1
| Course | Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course 1 | *MATH 1334 – Calculus I (5) | *PHYS 1210 – Mechanics (4) | *PHYS 1220 – Electricity & Magnetism (4) |
| Course 2 | UCOR 1XXX – University Core (5) | *PHYS 1211 – Mechanics Lab (1) | *PHYS 1221 – Electricity & Magnetism Lab (1) |
| Course 3 | UCOR 1XXX – University Core (5) | *MATH 1335 – Calculus II (5) | *MATH 1336 – Calculus III (5) |
| Course 4 | UCOR 1XXX – University Core (5) | UCOR 1XXX – University Core (5) |
Year 1 Steps for Success
- Draft educational plan
Year 2
| Course | Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course 1 | *PHYS 1230 – Waves, Optics, & Heat (4) | *PHYS 2040 – Special Relativity (3) | *PHYS 2080 – Introduction to Quantum Physics (4) |
| Course 2 | *PHYS 1231 – Waves and Optics Lab (1) | *MATH 2330 – Multivariable Calculus (3) | *PHYS 2060 – Modern Physics Laboratory (3) |
| Course 3 | *MATH 2320 – Linear Algebra* (3) | *CPSC 1220 – Data-Driven Programming (5) | *MATH 2340 – Differential Equations (4) |
| Course 4 | *UCOR 2XXX – University Core (5) | *UCOR 2XXX – University Core (5) | *UCOR 2XXX – University Core (5) |
Year 2 Steps for Success
- Make plans for summer research
Year 3
| Course | Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course 1 | *PHYS 2500 – Mathematical Methods for Physics (4) | *PHYS 3300 – Electromagnetic Field Theory (5) | *PHYS 3850 – Quantum Mechanics (5) |
| Course 2 | *PHYS 3100 – Classical Mechanics* (5) | *UCOR 3XXX – University Core (5) | PHYS Elective (5) |
| Course 3 | UCOR Module III* (5) | General Elective (5) | General Elective (5) |
Year 3 Steps for Success
- Start applications for jobs or graduate school
Year 4
| Course | Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course 1 | PHYS 4870 – Senior Synthesis (3) | *UCOR 3XXX – University Core (5) | PHYS Elective (3000 OR 4000 level) (5) |
| Course 2 | General Elective (5) | General Elective (5) | General Elective (5) |
| Course 3 | General Elective (5) | General Elective (5) | General Elective (5) |
Year 4 Steps for Success
- Apply for graduation
University Core Requirements
UCOR classes (SU's general education courses) are listed in the sample plan by what module is recommended. Some courses (*) have been fulfilled by your Associate Degree coursework and requirements in your major. See below for UCOR course titles listed by Module. See my.seattleu.edu for prerequisites and http://www.seattleu.edu/core for course descriptions. Honors and Matteo Ricci students have different Core requirements.
Module I:
- UCOR 1100 Academic Writing Seminar
- Satisfied in Major: UCOR 1200 Quantitative Reasoning
- UCOR 1300 Creative Expression & Interpretation
- UCOR 1400 Inquiry Seminar in the Humanities
- UCOR 1600 Inquiry Seminar in the Social Sciences
- Satisfied in Major: UCOR 1800 Inquiry Seminar in the Natural Sciences
Module II:
- UCOR 2100 Theological Explorations
- UCOR 2500 Philosophy of the Human Person
- UCOR 2900 Ethical Reasoning OR UCOR 2920 Ethical
Reasoning Health Care
Module III:
- UCOR 3100 Religion in a Global Context
- UCOR 3400 Humanities and Global Challenges
- UCOR 3600 Social Sciences & Global Challenges
- Satisfied in Major: UCOR 3800 Natural Sciences & Global Challenges
Curriculum Notes
- The BA in Physics degree is for students planning on careers in teaching, science writing, public policy, business, or in combination with another major.
- Assumes trigonometry (MATH 1022) not needed due to placement exam or college credit • Assumes placement into MATH 1334 by SAT/ACT/SU math placement exam or college credit; students not placing into MATH 1334 will need to take MATH 1021 as an elective
- PHYS electives vary from year to year. Typically, the PHYS ELECTIVES rotate through the following course possibilities: PHYS 3400 Nonlinear Dynamical Systems and Chaos; PHYS 3620 Introduction to Astrophysics; PHYS 3630 Introduction to Geophysics; PHYS 3910 Computational Physics; PHYS 4300 Modern Optics for Physicists and Engineers; PHYS 4500 Atomic Physics; PHYS 4700 Solid-State Physics; and PHYS 4860 Particle and Nuclear Physics.
- New courses may appear as well
- For complete information on courses, prerequisites, etc., please consult the Explore & Compare Programs page.
Use MySeattleU Student Planning to plan your courses and work closely with your academic advisor on your educational plan. You are responsible for tracking changes and ensuring you meet all degree requirements.
Visit the Seattle U Advising Services page for support or reach out to the Advising Center in BANN 323 (Science Wing), M-F 8 a.m. to 4:30p.m or email Science & Engineering Advising at se-adv@seattleu.edu.