Major requirements
Bachelor of Science in physics
Our core physics degree requires you to take 10 physics courses, along with three math classes that serve as pre- or co-requisites. To obtain your degree, you’ll need to maintain a 2.0 grade point average in your physics courses and take a comprehensive physics exam during your junior or senior year. Your score will not determine whether or not you receive a degree.
Instead, the exam is designed to assess our program.
Core courses:
- Analytical Geometry and Calculus II (MTH-151)
- Vectors and Matrices (MTH-160)
- General Physics I (PHY-111)
- General Physics II (PHY-112)
- Introduction to Modern Physics (PHY-241)
- Classical Mechanics I (PHY-311)
- Classical Mechanics II (PHY-312)
- Electromagnetic Theory I (PHY-321)
- Electromagnetic Theory II (PHY-322)
- Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics (PHY-331)
- Introduction to Quantum Mechanics (PHY-441)
Choose one elective:
- Optics (PHY-421)
- Experimental Methods in Physics (PHY-432)
- Quantum Mechanics (PHY-442)
- Introduction to Astronomy and Astrophysics (PHY-451)
- Atomic and Nuclear Physics (PHY-452)
- Research (PHY-502)
- Directed Independent Study (PHY-504)
Teaching Track
To teach physics in secondary schools, you'll need to complete the prescribed courses in the major (excluding PHY-441 and the final elective), seven courses in the education department and two additional electives. The requirements for certification (teaching internship) will be completed on a post-baccalaureate, graduate credit basis, with the student becoming eligible for certification at the end of the fall term following graduation.
Additional courses:
- Foundations of Chemistry (CHM-110)
- Perspectives of American Education (EDU-111)
- Human Growth and Development (EDU-120)
- Education of Students with Exceptionalities (EDU-221)
- Curriculum and Methods of Teaching in Grades 9-12 (EDU-350)
- Teaching Science in Grades 9-12 (EDU-454)
- Critical Issues in Secondary Education (EDU-460)
- Practicum in Teaching (EDU-472)
- Clinical Practice (EDEP-670)
Choose first elective:
- Principles in Biology (BIO-101)
- Biology and the Environment (BIO-102)
- Foundations of Biology (BIO-111)
Choose second elective:
- Earth Systems (EES-110)
- Environmental Sciences (EES-112)
Choose third elective:
- Descriptive Astronomy (PHY-105)
- Introduction to Astronomy and Astrophysics (PHY-451)
Dual-degree engineering program
Our dual-degree engineering program consists of three years at Furman and two to three years at one of our affiliated schools. The Furman degree is awarded with a major in physics or pre-engineering.
Dual degree in pre-engineering
Core courses:
- Foundations of Chemistry (CHM-110)
- Introductory Kinetics and Thermodynamics (CHM-115)
- Analytic Geometry and Calculus II (MTH-151)
- Vectors and Matrices (MTH-160)
- Vector Calculus (MTH-250)
- Differential Equations (MTH-255)
- General Physics I (PHY-111)
- General Physics II (PHY-112)
- Classical Mechanics I (PHY-311)
- Classical Mechanics II (PHY-312)
- Electromagnetic Theory I (PHY-321)
- Electromagnetic Theory II (PHY-322)
- Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics (PHY-331)
Choose one elective:
- Introduction to Modern Physics (PHY-241)
- Optics (PHY-421)
- Experimental Methods in Physics (PHY-432)
- Introduction to Quantum Mechanics (PHY-44)
- Quantum Mechanics (PHY-442)
- Atomic and Nuclear Physics (PHY-452)
- Research (PHY-502)
- Directed Independent Study (PHY-504)
Dual degree in physics
Core courses:
- Foundations of Chemistry (CHM-110)
- Introductory Kinetics and Thermodynamics (CHM-115)
- Analytic Geometry and Calculus II (MTH-151)
- Vectors and Matrices (MTH-160)
- Vector Calculus (MTH-250)
- Differential Equations (MTH-255)
- General Physics I (PHY-111)
- General Physics II (PHY-112)
- Classical Mechanics I (PHY-311)
- Electromagnetic Theory I (PHY-321)
- Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics (PHY-331)
- Additional electives required as specified by the destination engineering program.