Students inside a Science Lab

General Concentration (Pre-calc 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.

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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.

Term 1: Fall

Course Name Credit Hours
C1: ENGL 1101

English Composition I

3
M: MATH 1113

Precalculus

4
XIDS 2002

First-Year Seminar

2
I2: XIDS 2001

The Physical Universe

1
T1: CHEM 1211 + Lab

Principles of Chemistry I

4

Milestones:

  • Complete ENGL 1101 with a C or better.
  • Complete MATH 1113.

Term 2: Spring

Course Name Credit Hours
C2: ENGL 1102

English Composition II

3
T2: CHEM 1212 + Lab

Principles of Chemistry II

4
T3: MATH 1634

Calculus 1

4
B1: Oral Communications 3

Milestones:

  • Complete ENGL 1102 with a C or better.
  • Complete Calculus I.

 

15 Fall Credit Hours + 17 Spring Credit Hours = 32 Credit Hours

Term 1: Fall

Course Name Credit Hours
F: PHYS 2211 + Lab

Principles of Physics I

4
F: MATH 2644

Calculus II

4
A: Humanities 3
P: Citizenship 3

Term 2: Spring

Course Name Credit Hours
F: PHYS 2212 + Lab

Principles of Physics II

4
MATH 3303

Ordinary Differential Equations

3
F: MATH 2654

Calculus III

4
A: Humanities 3

Milestones:

  • Complete the Introductory Physics sequence.
  • Complete Math up to Calculus III.

 

14 Fall Credit Hours + 14 Spring Credit Hours = 28 Credit Hours

Term 1: Fall

Course Name Credit Hours
PHYS 3503

Modern Physics

3
PHYS 3113

Mechanics

3
PHYS 4513 OR 4523

Mathematical Physics or Computational Physics

3
Math OR Foreign Language Elective 3
P: Citizenship 3

Term 2: Spring

Course Name Credit Hours
PHYS 3213

Thermodynamics

3
PHYS 3133

Electricity and Magnetism

3
Math OR Foreign Language Elective 3
PHYS Elective  3
S: Social Science 3

 

15 Fall Credit Hours + 15 Spring Credit Hours = 30 Credit Hours

Term 1: Fall

Course Name Credit Hours
PHYS 4513 OR 4523

Mathematical Physics or Computational Physics

3
PHYS 3511

Experimental Physics I

1
PHYS Elective 3
PHYS Elective 3
Elective 3
S: Social Science 3

Term 2: Spring

Course Name Credit Hours
PHYS 3521

Experimental Physics II

1
PHYS 4984

Physics Seminar

1
Electives

(10 hours of Electives)

10
PHYS Elective 3
PHYS Elective 3

 

16 Fall Credit Hours + 18 Spring Credit Hours = 34 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:

Middle Years:

Last Year:

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:

Middle Years:

Last Year:

Pave Your Path

First Year:

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

Physics student running an experiment

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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