Oct 07, 2024  
Undergraduate Catalog | 2024-2025 
    
Undergraduate Catalog | 2024-2025

Physics, B.S.


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The Bachelor of Science degree is appropriate for students planning to pursue physics as a professional career, either immediately after graduation in a physics-related industry or after graduate study in physics or a related field. 

All program-level Admissions and Progression Requirements are in addition to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte Admission Requirements .

Admission Requirements


Freshmen

Currently Enrolled Students

  • Declaration of Major:  Students should declare a Physics major in their Freshman or Sophomore year.  Current UNC Charlotte undergraduate students seeking to change their major to physics may request to declare a Major in Physics leading to the B.S. degree if they have completed the above requirements. 

Transfers

  • Pre-Major/Prerequisite Courses:  Complete the following with grades of C or above and no more than 2 attempts per course:
  • Declaration of Major:  Transfer students may request to declare a Major in Physics leading to the B.S. degree if the above requirements were met at their previous institution(s).  Otherwise, they are eligible to declare the major after completing the above requirements.
  • Transferable Credit Hours:  24

Degree Requirements


A Major in Physics leading to the B.S. degree consists of at least 54 credit hours of physics courses (PHYS).

General Education Courses (31-32 credit hours)


For details on required courses, refer to the General Education Program . Total hours to satisfy General Education Requirements may vary as some general education requirements may be double-counted in the major with departmental approval. Please see your advisor for information. 

Foreign Language Requirement (0-8 credit hours)


For details on required courses, refer to the College of Science Foreign Language Requirement. 

Note:


*Freshmen should complete MATH 1241  before the beginning of their second year.

Note:


**PHYS 3900  or PHYS 4000  may be used to fulfill the PHYS course requirements only if approved in advance for this purpose by the Undergraduate Studies Committee. Students planning for graduate study in physics are strongly advised to take PHYS 4242  as part of their 3000/4000 level elective credit hours.

Unrestricted Elective Courses


As needed to complete the credit hours required for graduation.

Degree Total = 120 Credit Hours


Cooperative Education Program


In the Cooperative Education Program, students complete their lower-division coursework and, after being formally accepted as a co-op student, alternates periods of academic coursework with periods of full-time paid employment in an area mutually agreed upon by the student, an employer, and the University.  Students who are in good standing with the University, have a minimum overall GPA of 2.5, and have completed 30 credit hours are eligible to apply.  Transfer students are required to complete 12 credit hours at the University prior to application. Further information regarding the application procedure for admission into this program can be obtained from the University Career Center.

Progression Requirements


Courses in physics (PHYS) toward the major must all be completed with grades of C or above.

Honors Program


For details about the Honors Program in Physics, visit the program page .

Teacher Licensure


In addition to meeting the requirements for the physics degree, students who plan to become licensed teachers must have a Minor in Secondary Education . These students should contact the Office of Teacher Education Advising and Licensure (TEAL) in the College of Education regarding teacher licensure.

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