2024-2025 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog
Bachelor of Science in Physics
Requirements for a Major in Physics
The following courses fulfill the B.S. degree requirements:
- MTH 201 - Calculus I (4 credits)
- MTH 202 - Calculus II (4 credits)
- PHY 230 - Principles of Physics I (5 credits)
In addition, students must complete the general university degree requirements as identified in the General Academic Policies section of the catalog.
Core Courses
Major students must complete 39 semester credit hours of required physics courses with a minimum grade of C (2.0) in each course.
Transfer students must complete at least 11 credit hours in physics courses taken at Grand Valley at the 300-level or above.
All physics majors must complete the following (39 credits):
- PHY 230 - Principles of Physics I (5 credits)
- PHY 231 - Principles of Physics II (5 credits)
- PHY 302 - Introduction to Modern Physics (4 credits)
- PHY 309 - Experimental Methods in Physics (4 credits)
- PHY 311 - Advanced Laboratory II (2 credits)
- PHY 330 - Intermediate Mechanics (4 credits)
- PHY 340 - Electromagnetic Fields (4 credits)
- PHY 350 - Introduction to Quantum Mechanics (4 credits)
- PHY 360 - Statistical Thermodynamics (4 credits)
- PHY 485 - Senior Physics Project (Capstone) (1 credit)
- PHY 486 - Senior Physics Project (Capstone) (2 credits)
Cognate Courses
The following cognate courses must be completed with a minimum grade of C (2.0) in each course (25 to 28 credits):
- CHM 115 - Principles of Chemistry I (4 credits)
- CIS 162 - Computer Science I (4 credits)
- MTH 201 - Calculus I (4 credits)
- MTH 202 - Calculus II (4 credits)
- MTH 203 - Calculus III (4 credits)
Option One:
- MTH 204 - Linear Algebra I (3 credits) AND MTH 304 - Analysis of Differential Equations (3 credits) Recommended, especially for graduate school bound students.
Option Two:
- MTH 302 - Linear Algebra and Differential Equations (4 credits)
- MTH 300 - Vector Analysis (3 credits) OR MTH 401 - Mathematics for the Physical Sciences (4 credits)
Note: Physics majors intending to go to graduate school should take MTH 204 and MTH 304 rather than the MTH 302 option.
Science Electives
Six credits of science electives must be chosen from the following list and completed with a minimum grade of C (2.0) in each:
- CHM 351 - Introduction to Physical Chemistry (3 credits)
- CHM 352 - Physical Chemistry Laboratory (1 credit)
- CHM 356 - Physical Chemistry I (3 credits)
- CHM 358 - Physical Chemistry II (3 credits)
- PHY 105 - Descriptive Astronomy (3 credits)
- Any 300-level physics elective
- Any 400-level physics elective
Suggested Order of Coursework for a Major in Physics
The following example assumes student has a good mathematics background.
- F indicates course should be taken in the fall semester
- W indicates course should be taken in the winter semester
Year One
- Three general education courses
- CHM 115 - Principles of Chemistry I (4 credits) (F)
- MTH 201 - Calculus I (4 credits) (F)
- MTH 202 - Calculus II (4 credits) (W)
- PHY 230 - Principles of Physics I (5 credits) (W)
- WRT 150 - Strategies in Writing (4 credits)
Year Two
- Two general education courses
- MTH 203 - Calculus III (4 credits) (F)
- BOTH MTH 204 - Linear Algebra I (3 credits) (F) AND MTH 302 - Linear Algebra and Differential Equations (4 credits) (W)
OR ONLY MTH 304 - Analysis of Differential Equations (3 credits) (W) - PHY 231 - Principles of Physics II (5 credits) (F)
- PHY 302 - Introduction to Modern Physics (4 credits) (W)
Year Three
- General education courses (Students should begin completing Issues courses.)
- One science elective course
- Elective course
- MTH 300 - Vector Analysis (3 credits) (F)
- PHY 309 - Experimental Methods in Physics (4 credits) (F)
- PHY 311 - Advanced Laboratory II (2 credits) (W)
- PHY 330 - Intermediate Mechanics (4 credits) (F)
- PHY 340 - Electromagnetic Fields (4 credits) (W)
Year Four
- General education courses (Students should complete their second Issues course.)
- One science elective course
- Elective courses
- PHY 350 - Introduction to Quantum Mechanics (4 credits) (W)
- PHY 360 - Statistical Thermodynamics (4 credits) (F)
- PHY 485 - Senior Physics Project (Capstone) (1 credit) (F)
- PHY 486 - Senior Physics Project (Capstone) (2 credits) (W)