Physics, BS
Bachelor of Science in Physics Degree Program Requirements
Prairie View A&M University is a member of the Texas Physics Consortium (TPC) that offers a Joint BS Degree in Physics with member institutions collectively offering more than 24 SCH of advanced physics core courses via Trans Texas Video Network (TTVN).
To graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics, a minimum of 120 semester credit hours (SCH) are required, divided into three (3) categories of required course sequences: (1) Core Curriculum courses (42 SCH), (2) Major courses (60 SCH), and (3) Specialization (18 SCH). A minor may be chosen depending upon the student’s preference and career choice.
Complete Core Curriculum Listing at https://catalog.pvamu.edu/universitycorecurriculum/
| Core Curriculum 42 Credit Hours | ||
| Communication | 6 | |
| Freshman Composition I | ||
| Freshman Composition II | ||
| Mathematics | 3 | |
| College Algebra | ||
| Life and Physical Sciences | 6 | |
| General Inorganic Chemistry I | ||
| Physical Science I | ||
| Language, Philosophy, and Culture (Select One) | 3 | |
| Creative Arts (Select One) | 3 | |
| American History | 6 | |
| United States History I | ||
| United States History II | ||
| Government/Political Science | 6 | |
| American Government | ||
| Texas Government | ||
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (Select One) | 3 | |
| Component Area Option One (Select One) | 3 | |
| Component Area Option Two | 3 | |
| Introduction to Speech Communication | ||
| Major Required Courses | ||
| PHYS 2325 | University Physics I | 3 |
| PHYS 2125 | University Physics Lab I | 1 |
| PHYS 2326 | University Physics II | 3 |
| PHYS 2126 | University Physics Lab II | 1 |
| PHYS 3310 | Mechanics I | 3 |
| PHYS 3312 | Electricity and Magnetism I | 3 |
| PHYS 3316 | Mathematical Physics I | 3 |
| PHYS 3318 | Modern Physics I | 3 |
| PHYS 3324 | Introduction to Nuclear, Particle and Radiation Physics | 3 |
| PHYS 4302 | Introductory Quantum Mechanics I | 3 |
| PHYS 4306 | Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics | 3 |
| PHYS 4310 | Advanced Physics Lab | 3 |
| PHYS 4191 | Physics Research Project | 1 |
| PHYS 4192 | Physics Research Seminar | 1 |
| MATH 2413 | Calculus with Analytic Geometry I | 4 |
| MATH 2414 | Calculus with Analytic Geometry II | 4 |
| MATH 2320 | Differential Equations | 3 |
| MATH 3401 | Calculus III | 4 |
| CHEM 1111 | General Chemistry Lab I | 1 |
| PHSC 1112 | Sci Lab | 1 |
| PHSC 1317 | Physical Science II | 3 |
| Physics Electives: Select 6 hours from any 3000 or 4000 level Physics course from Approved TPC Courses | 6 | |
| Specialization: Select 18 hours from any discipline listed below, in consultation with your faculty advisor: | 18 | |
Any PHYS, PHSC, MATH, CHEG, CPET, COMP, CVEG, GNEG, ELEG, ELET, BIOL, CHEM OR MCEG | ||
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Bachelor of Science in Physics Degree Sequence
Core: https://catalog.pvamu.edu/universitycorecurriculum/
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall - Semester 1 | Hours | Spring - Semester 2 | Hours |
| Mathematics Core | 3 | Component Area Option Two Core | 3 |
| Communication Core | 3 | Communication Core | 3 |
| Component Area Option One Core | 3 | MATH 2413 | 4 |
| Life and Physical Sciences Core | 3 | Life and Physical Sciences Core | 3 |
| PHSC 1112 | 1 | CHEM 1111 | 1 |
| Creative Arts Core | 3 | ||
| Total | 16 | Total | 14 |
| Total Hours: 30 | |||
| Sophomore | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall - Semester 1 | Hours | Spring - Semester 2 | Hours |
| MATH 2414 | 4 | American History Core | 3 |
| PHYS 2325 | 3 | ||
| PHYS 2125 | 1 | MATH 2320 | 3 |
| American History Core | 3 | PHYS 2326 | 3 |
| PHYS 2126 | 1 | ||
| Government/Political Science Core | 3 | Government/Political Science Core | 3 |
| Language, Philosophy & Culture Core | 3 | ||
| Total | 14 | Total | 16 |
| Total Hours: 30 | |||
| Junior | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall - Semester 1 | Hours | Spring - Semester 2 | Hours |
| MATH 3401 | 4 | PHYS 3316 | 3 |
| PHYS 3310 | 3 | PHYS 3318 | 3 |
| PHYS 3312 | 3 | PHYS 4310 | 3 |
| Physics Elective | 3 | Physics Elective | 3 |
| Specialization Requirement | 3 | Specialization Requirement | 3 |
| Total | 16 | Total | 15 |
| Total Hours: 31 | |||
| Senior | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall - Semester 1 | Hours | Spring - Semester 2 | Hours |
| PHYS 4302 | 3 | PHSC 1317 | 3 |
| PHYS 4306 | 3 | PHYS 3324 | 3 |
| PHYS 4191 | 1 | PHYS 4192 | 1 |
| Specialization Requirement | 3 | Specialization Requirement | 3 |
| Specialization Requirement | 3 | Specialization Requirement | 3 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences Core | 3 | ||
| Total | 16 | Total | 13 |
| Total Hours: 29 | |||
| Name | Unit |
|---|---|
| Total Semester Credit Hours: 120 |
Marketable Skills
Marketable skills, as defined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's 60x30TX Plan, include interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skill areas, are valued by employers, and can be either primary or complementary to a major. Marketable skills are acquired by students through education, including curricular, co-curricular, and extracurricular activities.
BS Physics
Degree Skills
- Data analysis and effective communication
- Analyze and solve problems
- Critical thinking
Concentration Skills
- Materials functionalization
- Radiation biology
- Instrumentation
Co-curricular and Extracurricular Skills
- Technical writing and communication for presentations and publishing
- Collaborative skills