Program: Physics, BS - University of Pittsburgh

Major Requirements

A minimum GPA of 2.0 in departmental courses is required for graduation. Honors majors must attain a minimum GPA of 3.2 in physics courses, a cumulative GPA of 3.09 or higher, completes PHYS 1903 Directed Research, submits a paper detailing the research within the department and presents the research in a public forum (i.e. at the University’s Science Symposium or the Undergraduate Poster Fair hosted by UHC).
No PHYS courses beyond the introductory level may be taken on an S/NC basis.
Students must complete at least one W-course in the major; students should consult with their department advisor about this requirement.
The mathematics courses required for the major fulfill the related area requirement for all majors in this department.

Physics major, BS

The physics major requires the completion of 47 credits in physics distributed as follows.

Note:

While not required, the introductory level honors courses, PHYS 0475 , PHYS 0476 , and PHYS 0520 are appropriate particularly for students seeking degrees in physics.

Introductory Physics courses:

(select one group)

PHYS 0174 - BASIC PHYSICS, SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING 1 (INTEGRATED) and
PHYS 0175 - BASIC PHYSICS, SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING 2 (INTEGRATED)
PHYS 0475 - INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICS, SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING 1 and
PHYS 0476 - INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICS, SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING 2

Intermediate and advanced Physics courses

PHYS 0477 - INTRODUCTION TO THERMAL PHYSICS, RELATIVITY AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
PHYS 1310 - UNDERGRADUATE SEMINAR
PHYS 1321 - COMPUTATIONAL METHODS IN PHYSICS
PHYS 1331 - MECHANICS
PHYS 1341 - THERMODYNAMICS AND STATISTICAL MECHANICS
PHYS 1351 - INTERMEDIATE ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM
PHYS 1370 - INTRODUCTION TO QUANTUM MECHANICS 1

Laboratory courses

Choose at least 10 credits

PHYS 0219 - BASIC LABORATORY PHYSICS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING or
PHYS 0520 - MODERN PHYSICS MEASUREMENTS
PHYS 0525 - ANALOG AND DIGITAL ELECTRONICS
PHYS 1361 - WAVE MOTION AND OPTICS
PHYS 1426 - MODERN PHYSICS LABORATORY
ASTRON 1263 - TECHNIQUES OF ASTRONOMY

Science electives

Choose at least nine credits from groups A and B. At least three credits must come from a course in group B.

Departmental honors requirements

Honors in physics is granted if in addition to fulfilling all requirements for the major, the student maintains a GPA of 3.2 or higher in courses required for the major, maintains a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, completes MATH 1903 Directed Research, submits a paper detailing the research within the department, and presents the research in a public forum (i.e. at the University’s Science Symposium, or the Undergraduate Poster Fair hosted by UHC).

Physics, BS