Department of Physics

BA Major Requirements (for entry before Fall 2002)

The B.A. physics major (55 credits total) is for students who wish to complete a liberal arts degree.

The offical description of the major can be found in the UMD Bulletin. Although the description given here is as accurate as possible, the bulletin must be consulted before any degree program is finalized.

Required Core (32 credits)

The following courses are common to all undergraduate majors and minors in physics. Students concerned about preparation for Phys 1201 should discuss the optional course Phys 1101 with their advisors.

• CS 1131---FORTRAN (3)
• Math 1296-1297---Calculus I-II (10)
• Phys 1201---Mechanics (4)
• Phys 1202---Heat and Electricity (4)
• Phys 1203---Magnetism, Waves and Optics (4)
• Phys 2001---Oscillations (2)
• Phys 2021---Relativity and Quantum Phys (4)
• Phys 2031---Quantum Physics Lab (1)

Lower Division (40 credits)

• Required core (32)
• Math 3280---Differential Equations (4)
• Math 3298---Calculus III (4)

Upper Division (15 credits)

• Comp 3150---Advanced Writing: Science
  or Comp 3130---Advanced Writing: Engineering (3)
• Electives chosen from the following list totaling at least 12 credits:
  • Lim 5601---Limnology I: Physics and Chemistry (4)
  • Phys 3061---Instrumentation (3)
  • Phys 4001---Classical Mechanics (4)
  • Phys 4011---Electromagnetic Theory (4)
  • Phys 4021---Quantum Physics II (4)
  • Phys 4031---Thermal & Statistical Phys (4)
  • Phys 5041---Optics (3)
  • Phys 5051---Computational Physics (4)
  • Phys 5061---Experimental Methods (3)
  • Phys 5062---Advanced Laboratory (2)
  • Phys 5531---Introduction to Solid State Physics (3)
  • Phys 5541---Fluid Dynamics (3)
  • or other courses approved by the department.

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