Physics (BS)

This program was approved for students entering the university in the Summer 2025-Spring 2026 catalog year. For more information about catalog year, go to Catalog Year Information.

Bachelor of Science in Physics
Unit: College of Arts and Sciences (AS)
Department: Physics and Astronomy
Academic Plan Code(s): See Track Requirements tab.

Program Information

The Bachelor of Science (BS) degree is intended as preparation for entry into graduate programs in Physics and other scientific or engineering fields. It also provides suitable training for entering the workforce in a technical position.

Completion of this degree requires work to be submitted for the department’s Learning Outcomes Measurement. For details, contact the department.

Degree Summary

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Twelve credit hours from the General Education Requirements may be satisfied by courses defined by the program, in which case additional electives will be required to complete the minimum hours for the degree. See the Degree Requirements tab for specific coursework. 

Specific coursework information can be found on the Degree Requirements tab.

Accelerated BS/MS (Master of Science) in Physics

Physics majors who are considering pursuing a master’s degree (MS) in Physics can speed up the process by applying some of their undergraduate credit hours toward a master's degree.  Students accepted into the Accelerated BS/MS take three graduate courses (9 credit hours) as an undergraduate that apply toward both the bachelor’s degree and the eventual master's degree.  

Interested students must apply for admission to the program in the first semester of the senior year (i.e., after completing 90 hours). Applicants must have completed at least 21 credit hours in Physics before applying to the program with at least a 3.0 GPA in Physics courses and a 3.35 university GPA. Students must also maintain a 3.0 GPA after they are admitted to the BS/MS program.

Undergraduate students interested in participating in an accelerated dual bachelor’s/master’s degree offered through the Soaring Scholar program must first meet with their Academic Advisor and be accepted into the program. Once accepted, students will receive an official admission letter outlining program policies and details. They will then work with their department and academic advisor to register for classes each semester, ensuring they meet the milestones and academic progress requirements of the Soaring Scholar program.  A Soaring Scholar student is considered an undergraduate student until their bachelor’s degree is conferred. In their final undergraduate semester, they are expected to apply for admission to their respective master's program.

Departmental Admission Requirements

There are no specific admission requirements for this degree plan. 

The Change Major Request form can be found under the Academic Progress tile on ULink.

Accelerated BS/MS (Master of Science) in Physics Program

Applicants apply for admission to the five-year accelerated program in the first semester of the senior year and must meet the following criteria:

• The applicant will have completed at least 21 credit hours in Physics before applying to the program.
• The applicant will have maintained at least a 3.0 GPA in Physics courses and a 3.35 GPA overall.

All applicants must submit an application along with GRE General test score consistent with MS in Physics program guidelines.

General Education Requirements         

All degrees require the completion of the University-wide General Education Program (link provided above).  Some General Education requirements may be met in the requirements for the major or supporting coursework, in which case additional electives may be required to complete the minimum hours for the degree.

College/School Requirements

Program/Major Requirements

At least 50 of the total minimum hours required must be at the 300 level or above.

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Ten (10) credit hours from the General Education Requirements may be satisfied by courses defined by the program, in which case additional electives will be required to complete the minimum hours for the degree. 

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Completion of the intermediate level of a single foreign language. 

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In addition to courses counted toward General Education, 6 hours must be at the 300 level or above. 

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May be incorporated into other degree requirements

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Students who satisfy General Education Requirements by courses defined by the program will require additional electives to complete the minimum hours for the degree.

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Students pursuing the professional track must either take an additional 3 hours of research or choose one of the other options to meet the major requirements. 

Track Requirements 

Track in Applied Physics

Academic Plan Code(s): PHYSBS_APP

Alternate choices within or outside of the department are possible with approval.

Track in Astronomy and Astrophysics

Academic Plan Code(s): PHYSBS_ASP

Track in Professional Physics (non-track)

Academic Plan Code(s): PHYSBS

Track in Atmospheric Physics

Academic Plan Code(s): PHYSBS_ATP

Track in Computational Physics and Data Science

Academic Plan Code(s): PHYSBS_CDS

Accelerated BS/MS in Physics

With approval from the accelerated master's program advisor, successful applicants will identify up to 9 credit hours  at the 500-600 level to count toward both the undergraduate and graduate degree.  These credits will count as elective credit toward the undergraduate degree.

Flight Plan

Track in Applied Physics

Track in Astronomy and Astrophysics

Track in Atmospheric Physics 

Track in Professional Physics

Track in Computational Physics and Data Science

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Students admitted to the accelerated master's program for any track are required to take PHYS 542, PHYS 556, and any 500-level STEM elective.  These graduate courses can be taken within the flight plan for any track instead of an undergraduate elective in Year 4 and will count for both the undergraduate and graduate degree.

The Flight Plan outlined above is intended to demonstrate one possible path to completing the degree within four years.  Course selection and placement within the program may vary depending on course offerings and schedule, elective preferences, and other factors (study abroad, internship availability, etc.). Please consult your advisor for additional information about building a flight plan that works for you.

Degree Audit Report
Degree Audit reports illustrate how your completed courses fulfill the requirements of your academic plan, and which requirements are still outstanding. Degree audits also take transfer credits and test credits into account. "What-if" reports allow you to compare the courses you have completed in your current academic plan to the courses required in another academic plan.  Should you have questions about either report, please consult with your academic advisor.

Flight Planner
The Flight Planner tool is available for you to create a personalized Flight Plan to graduation.  Advisors have access to review your Flight Planner and can help you adjust it to ensure you remain on track to graduate in a timely manner.

To create these reports:

1. Log into your ULink account.
2. Click on the Academic Progress tile.
3. Select the appropriate report.
   1. To run a Degree Audit report, click on "View my Degree Audit."
   2. To create a What-if report, click on "What-if Advisement Report."
   3. To run a Flight Planner report, click on "Use My Flight Planner."

Click here to run a Degree Audit report, create a What-if report, or run a Flight Planner report.