B.S. Physics Program Map
General Concentration (Algebra Start)
Physicists conduct research into the basic laws of nature or use existing knowledge about the physical world to develop applications and to design new products. A degree in physics prepares the student for a career in physics or related job industry, a governmental lab, teaching, as well as for further graduate study.
Stats
60
Core Credit Hours
50
Major Credit Hours
10
Elective Credit Hours
- Plan Your Degree
- Crush Your Course
- Find Your Place
- Broaden Your Perspectives
- Connect Off-Campus
- Take Care of Yourself
- Pave Your Path
Plan Your Degree
Disclaimer: This program map is intended ONLY as a guide for students to plan their course of study. It does NOT replace any information in the Undergraduate Catalog, which is the official guide for completing degree requirements.
| Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
|
C1: ENGL 1101
English Composition I |
3 |
|
MATH 1111
College Algebra |
3 |
|
XIDS 2002
First-Year Seminar |
2 |
|
I2: XIDS 2001
The Physical Universe |
1 |
| I1: Oral Communications | 3 |
Milestones:
- Complete ENGL 1101 with a C or better.
| Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
|
C2: ENGL 1102
English Composition II |
3 |
|
M: MATH 1113
Precalculus |
4 |
|
T1: CHEM 1211 + Lab
Principles of Chemistry I |
4 |
| A: Humanities | 3 |
Milestone:
- Complete ENGL 1102 with a C or better.
| Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
|
T3: MATH 1634
Calculus I |
4 |
Milestone:
- Complete Calculus I over the summer in order to start Physics sequence in the fall.
12 Fall Credit Hours + 14 Spring Credit Hours + 4 Summer Credit Hours = 30 Credit Hours
| Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
|
F: PHYS 2211 + Lab
Principles of Physics I |
4 |
|
F: MATH 2644
Calculus 2 |
4 |
|
T2: CHEM 1212 + Lab
Principles of Chemistry I |
4 |
| A: Humanities | 3 |
| Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
|
F: PHYS 2212 + Lab
Principles of Physics II |
4 |
|
MATH 3303
Ordinary Differential Equations |
3 |
| P: Citizenship | 3 |
| S: Social Science | 3 |
Milestones:
- Complete the Principles of Physics sequence.
- Complete Math up to ODE.
15 Fall Credit Hours + 13 Spring Credit Hours = 28 Credit Hours
| Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
|
PHYS 3503
Modern Physics |
3 |
|
PHYS 3113
Mechanics |
3 |
|
PHYS 4513 OR 4523
Mathematical Physics or Computational Physics |
3 |
|
F: MATH 2654
Calculus III |
4 |
| P: Citizenship | 3 |
| Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
|
PHYS 3213
Thermodynamics |
3 |
|
PHYS 3313
Electricity and Magnetism |
3 |
| MATH OR Foreign Language Elective | 3 |
| PHYS Elective | 3 |
| PHYS Elective | 3 |
16 Fall Credit Hours + 15 Spring Credit Hours = 31 Credit Hours
| Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
|
PHYS 4513 OR 4523
Mathematical Physics or Computational Physics |
3 |
|
PHYS 3511
Experimental Physics I |
1 |
| MATH OR Foreign Language Elective | 3 |
| PHYS Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
|
PHYS 3521
Experimental Physics II |
1 |
|
PHYS 4984
Physics Seminar |
1 |
| PHYS Elective | 3 |
| PHYS Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| S: Social Science | 3 |
16 Fall Credit Hours + 15 Spring Credit Hours = 31 Credit Hours
Crush Your Course
First Year:
- Enroll in XIDS 2001: Physical Universe and Core IMPACTS courses.
- Complete math courses through Calculus 1.
- Take Principles of Physics 1 (or ASTR 2313) in your second semester.
- Attend physics workshops.
- Meet with your Physics mentor.
Middle Years:
- Complete Principles of Physics.
Take Modern, Mathematical, Mechanics, E&M and Thermal. - Establish your pathway/concentration.
- Take core and electives to balance upper-level coursework.
Last Year:
- Finish your degree requirements.
Complete your research/internships. - Present at a conference.
- Write a scientific paper.
- Finish strong.
Find Your Place
First Year:
- Meet Physics faculty and learn about their research and scholarship opportunities.
- Join the Physics Engineering club.
- Connect with junior/senior/physics students and ambassadors.
Middle Years:
- Become a Student Assistant for a physics lab, workshops, or the Observatory.
- Get involved in research or an internship.
- Apply for summer internships or REUs.
- Attend a scientific conference.
Last Year:
- Become a Physics Ambassador.
- Expand your professional network.
- Apply for internships in local industries or graduate programs.
- Attend career fairs. Send your resume to one of our alumni.
Broaden Your Perspectives
First Year:
- Check out the education abroad office.
Middle Years:
- Consider a study abroad program. Check out students’ stories of their experiences.
Last Year:
- Assess your cultural competency.
- Consider working abroad and research visa regulations.
- Explore practices of creating more inclusive careers.
Connect Off-Campus
First Year:
- Visit Wolves Vote to learn about the voting process and registration.
- Consider volunteering for a campaign or organization in your community.
Middle Years:
- Complete an internship in your field.
- Consider a summer or part-time job.
- Ask your department about networking opportunities with alumni.
Last Year:
- Ask for advice from professionals in your field of interest.
- Explore career shadowing opportunities.
Take Care of Yourself
First Year:
- Visit the Center for Integrative Wellness to find all the resources available to you!
- Visit Health Services.
- Get fit! Visit URec to see all your options.
- Visit the Center for Economic Education and Financial Literacy.
Middle Years:
- Take a fitness class, climb the rock wall, or join an intramural team.
- Consider whether counseling is right for you: take a mental health screening.
Last Year:
- Explore a farmer’s market for fresh produce.
- Develop a post-graduation exercise plan.
- Explore your loan repayment options and complete your exit counseling.
Pave Your Path
First Year:
- Complete a self-assessment to see what careers and majors are right for you.
- Visit Career Services.
- Create your profile on Handshake.
- Consider applying for an on-campus job.
Middle Years:
- Draft your resume and attend a resume blitz.
- Learn about how to network on social media and update your Handshake profile.
- Draft your personal statement.
- Visit the graduate school to find out about graduate programs and admission requirements.
Last Year:
- Request references from professors and supervisors.
- Draft your resume cover letter and personal statement and revise it with career services.
- Attend business fairs and career fairs at UWG and across the state.
- Attend an interview workshop.
- Apply for graduate programs.
Careers
Career Opportunities
This degree can help you get work as the following:
- Aerospace Engineer
- Astronomer
- Data Scientist
- Geophysicist
- Lab Manager
- Medical Physicist
- Optical Engineer
- Physics Teacher
- Professor
- Research Scientist
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Have any questions about your major?
Don't forget to check out Wolf Watch to explore degree requirements!