This is an archived copy of the 2020-2021 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.ufl.edu.
About this Program
- College: Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Degrees: Bachelor of Arts | Bachelor of Science
- Specializations: Bachelor of Arts | Bachelor of Science | Medical Physics | Nanoscience | Optics
- Credits for Degree: 120
- Contact: Email
- More Info
To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college, and major requirements.
Department Information
The Department of Physics is making strides toward becoming one of the premier physics departments in the United States. With active groups in astrophysics, biological physics, condensed matter/materials physics, and elementary particle physics, undergraduate and graduate students participate in cutting-edge research that prepares them for successful careers in a wide variety of fields.
Website
CONTACT
Email 352.392.0521 (tel) | 352.392.0524 (fax)
P.O. Box 118440
2001 Museum Road
Gainesville FL 32611-8545
Curriculum
A physics major provides a wide range of career options. Many students pursue further studies in physics, other scientific disciplines, and various branches of engineering and medicine. Professional physicists work in universities and government laboratories seeking answers to fundamental questions about nature, in industry leading the development of new technologies, and in the medical sector performing clinical service and research. The analytical, problem-solving, and communications skills acquired by physics majors also lead to career opportunities in business and finance.
The Department of Physics offers two undergraduate degree programs: The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) is intended for students who wish to pursue graduate study in physics as well as for other students with a deep interest in the subject. The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) is intended for students who seek the benefits of a physics degree but desire greater flexibility to follow interests in other fields.
Optics
The Physics B.S. specialization in Optics requires a minimum of 41 credits in Physics including a specific Physics elective, 3 specific courses outside of Physics (9-11 credits), and 28 other credits of related coursework. Minimum grades of C are required for coursework counted toward the major. The coursework is listed below in three different categories: Physics Required Coursework, Required Electives for the Optics specialization, and Related Coursework required for all Physics B.S. degrees.
Required Coursework
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PHY 2048 | Physics with Calculus 1 | 3 |
| or PHY 2060 | Enriched Physics with Calculus 1 | |
| PHY 2048L | Laboratory for Physics with Calculus 1 | 1 |
| PHY 2049 | Physics with Calculus 2 | 3 |
| or PHY 2061 | Enriched Physics with Calculus 2 | |
| PHY 2049L | Laboratory for Physics with Calculus 2 | 1 |
| PHY 3101 | Introduction to Modern Physics | 3 |
| or PHY 3063 | Enriched Modern Physics | |
| PHY 3221 | Mechanics 1 | 3 |
| or PHZ 3113 | Introduction to Theoretical Physics | |
| PHY 3323 | Electromagnetism 1 | 3 |
| PHY 3513 | Thermal Physics 1 | 3 |
| PHY 4222 | Mechanics 2 | 3 |
| PHY 4324 | Electromagnetism 2 | 3 |
| PHY 4523 | Statistical Physics | 3 |
| PHY 4604 | Introductory Quantum Mechanics 1 | 3 |
| PHY 4802L | Laboratory Physics 1 | 3 |
| PHY 4803L | Laboratory Physics 2 | 3 |
| PHY 4424 | Optics 1 | 3 |
| Total Credits | 41 | |
Required Course Outside of Physics | Optics
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AST 3722C | Techniques of Observational Astronomy 1 | 3 |
| EEL 4446 | Laser Theory and Design | 3 |
| EEL 4458 | Fundamentals of Photonics | 3 |
| Total Credits | 9 | |
Related Coursework
- Three semesters of Calculus (MAC 2311, MAC 2312, MAC 2313; 12 credits)
- One year of college-level general chemistry, including one chemistry laboratory course (CHM 2045 and CHM 2046, CHM 2045L; 7 credits)
- Differential Equations MAP 2302 (3 credits)
- Six credits minimum in approved math courses beyond MAP 2302 Differential Equations.
- Certain computer science courses may substitute for one of the math electives.
- Minimum grades of C for coursework counted toward the major
Critical Tracking records each student’s progress in courses that are required for progress toward each major. Please note the critical-tracking requirements below on a per-semester basis.
For degree requirements outside of the major, refer to CLAS Degree Requirements: Structure of a CLAS Degree.
Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.
Semester 1
- Complete CHM 1025 or CHM 2045; or PHY 2048 or PHY 2060; and a MAC course with minimum grades of C
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Semester 2
Semester 3
Semester 4
- Complete MAC 2313; and PHY 2049 or PHY 2061 with minimum grades of C
- 2.5 critical-tracking GPA required
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Semester 5
- Complete MAP 2302 with a minimum grade of C
- Complete 2 required 3000-level physics courses with minimum grades of C (upper-division tracking)
- 2.5 critical-tracking GPA
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Semester 6
- Complete the remaining required 3000-level physics courses with minimum grades of C
- Complete 1 of 4 courses required for the Optics specialization
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Semester 7
- Complete PHY 4802L or PHY 4803L
- Complete 2 required 4000-level physics courses with minimum grades of C in addition to PHY 4802L
- Complete 2 of 4 courses required for the Optics specialization
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Semester 8
- Complete the remaining required 4000-level physics courses with minimum grades of C
- Complete 1 4000-level or higher physics elective with a minimum grade of C
- Complete all 4 courses required for the Optics specialization
- 2.0 UF GPA required
This plan is structured for students taking Calculus 1 the first semester. Students can have different schedules when they enter UF because of their backgrounds. In particular, students are encouraged to take Physics with Calculus 1 (PHY 2048 or PHY 2060) as soon as they have completed Calculus 1, even if this means delaying chemistry. For all physics courses, adequate mathematical preparation is essential and is built into the suggested plans. Physics majors should meet with a department advisor before planning their schedules.
Additional sample schedules are available on the department's website.
More Info
Students are expected to complete the writing requirement while in the process of taking the courses below. Students are also expected to complete the general education international (GE-N) and diversity (GE-D) requirements concurrently with another general education requirement (typically, GE-C, H, or S). MAC 2312, MAC 2313, MAP 2302, and math electives count towards 3000 level or above electives outside of the major.
To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold. These courses must be completed by the terms as listed above in the Critical Tracking criteria.
This semester plan represents an example progression through the major. Actual courses and course order may be different depending on the student's academic record and scheduling availability of courses. Prerequisites still apply.
| Semester One | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| CHM 2045 & 2045L |
General Chemistry 1 and General Chemistry 1 Laboratory (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Physical Sciences) 1 |
4 |
| MAC 2311 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1 (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Mathematics) 1 | 4 |
| State Core Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement | 3 | |
| State Core Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Semester Two | ||
| CHM 2046 | General Chemistry 2 (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Physical Sciences) 1 | 3 |
| MAC 2312 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus 2 (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Mathematics) 1 | 4 |
| Select one: | 3 | |
| Physics with Calculus 1 (Critical Tracking) 1 | ||
| Enriched Physics with Calculus 1 (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Physical Sciences) 1 | ||
| PHY 2048L | Laboratory for Physics with Calculus 1 (Gen Ed Physical Sciences; Critical Tracking) | 1 |
| Quest 1 (Gen Ed Humanities) | 3 | |
| Elective | 1 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester Three | ||
| MAC 2313 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus 3 (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Mathematics) 1 | 4 |
| Select one: | 3 | |
| Physics with Calculus 2 (Critical Tracking) 1 | ||
| Enriched Physics with Calculus 2 (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Physical Sciences) 1 | ||
| PHY 2049L | Laboratory for Physics with Calculus 2 (Gen Ed Physical Sciences; Critical Tracking) | 1 |
| Gen Ed Biological Sciences | 3 | |
| Foreign language | 4-5 | |
| Credits | 15-16 | |
| Semester Four | ||
| MAP 2302 | Elementary Differential Equations (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Mathematics) 1 | 3 |
| PHY 3101 | Introduction to Modern Physics (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Physical Sciences) 1 | 3 |
| PHY 3221 | Mechanics 1 (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Physical Sciences) 1 | 3 |
| Gen Ed Biological Sciences | 3 | |
| Foreign language | 3-5 | |
| Credits | 15-17 | |
| Semester Five | ||
| PHY 3323 | Electromagnetism 1 (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Physical Sciences) 1 | 3 |
| PHY 3513 | Thermal Physics 1 (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Physical Sciences) 1 | 3 |
| PHY 4222 | Mechanics 2 (Critical Tracking) 1 | 3 |
| Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3 | |
| Elective, or foreign language if 4-3-3 option | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester Six | ||
| AST 3722C | Techniques of Observational Astronomy 1 (Critical Tracking) 1 | 3 |
| ENC 3254 | Professional Writing in the Discipline (Recommended; Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement) | 3 |
| PHY 4324 | Electromagnetism 2 (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Physical Science) 1 | 3 |
| State Core Gen Ed Humanities | 3 | |
| Mathematics elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 1 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Semester Seven | ||
| EEL 4446 | Laser Theory and Design (Critical Tracking) 1 | 3 |
| PHY 4424 | Optics 1 (Critical Tracking) 1 | 3 |
| PHY 4604 | Introductory Quantum Mechanics 1 (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Physical Sciences) 1 | 3 |
| PHY 4802L | Laboratory Physics 1 (Critical Tracking) 1 | 3 |
| Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester Eight | ||
| EEL 4458 | Fundamentals of Photonics (Critical Tracking) 1 | 3 |
| PHY 4523 | Statistical Physics (Critical Tracking) 1 | 3 |
| PHY 4803L | Laboratory Physics 2 (Critical Tracking) 1 | 3 |
| Mathematics elective | 3 | |
| Gen Ed Humanities | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
| 1 | Minimum grade of C required. |
The laws of physics are the starting point for most scientific research and engineering applications. Students majoring in physics obtain broad-based knowledge and experience applying these laws as well as hands-on experience building electronic equipment and performing experiments. Many students go on to graduate study in physics, and a considerable number pursue advanced degrees in other science disciplines, all branches of engineering and medical school. Physics majors are employed in industry doing applied work and in academia seeking the answers to fundamental questions.
Before Graduating Students Must
- Pass the UF physics field test, which consists of five parts. One part is given in each of these required courses:
Course List Code Title Credits PHY 2060 Enriched Physics with Calculus 1 3 or PHY 3221 Mechanics 1 PHY 3323 Electromagnetism 1 3 PHY 3513 Thermal Physics 1 3 PHY 4604 Introductory Quantum Mechanics 1 3 PHY 4802L Laboratory Physics 1 3 - Complete requirements for the baccalaureate degree, as determined by faculty.
Students in the Major Will Learn to
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
Content
- Identify, define and describe the core fields of physics: classical mechanics, electricity and magnetism, thermal physics and quantum mechanics.
- Identify, define and explain experimental physics and data analysis.
Critical Thinking
- Formulate, solve problems and draw conclusions from data.
Communication
- Effectively and clearly communicate ideas in speech and in writing in an accepted style.
Curriculum Map
I = Introduced; R = Reinforced; A = Assessed
| Courses | SLO 1 | SLO 2 | SLO 3 | SLO 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHY 2048 or PHY 2060 | I | I | ||
| PHY 2048L | I | I | I | I |
| PHY 2049 or PHY 2061 | I | I | ||
| PHY 2049L | I | I | I | I |
| PHY 3101 or PHY 3063 | I, R | I, R | R | |
| PHY 3221 or PHZ 3113 | R, A | R, A | R | |
| PHY 3323 | R, A | R, A | R | |
| PHY 3513 | R, A | R, A | R | |
| PHY 4604 | R, A | R, A | R | |
| PHY 4802L | R, A | R, A | R, A | R, A |
Assessment Types
- Field test
- Report
- Presentation