Department of Physics

Division of Mathematical and Behavioral Sciences

NCF Science Annex 233 - (504) 520-7643 - http://www.xula.edu/physics

Programs in Physics

Students electing physics as a major have the option of pursuing a program leading to either a bachelor of science (B.S.) or a bachelor of arts (B.A.) degree. The B.S. program is designed for the student who plans a career as a physicist or as an engineer. The B.A. program is pursued by students as preparation for further study and work in such fields as medicine, law, physical chemistry, biophysics, business administration, psychology, education, and many others.

The objective of the B.S. curriculum in physics is to equip the student with those skills (logical reasoning, problem analysis and solution, techniques in experimentation) and knowledge (fundamental concepts) necessary for entry into either graduate study in physics or the work force. The B.S. curriculum requires the student to take a total of 138 semester hours, with at least 51 in physics and 22 in mathematics. The following courses are required for the B.S. degree:

PHYS 1121 , PHYS 2111 , PHYS 2121 , PHYS 2630 , PHYS 3010 , PHYS 3011 , PHYS 3020 , PHYS 3030 , PHYS 3040 , PHYS 3050 , PHYS 3210 , PHYS 3310L , PHYS 3320L , PHYS 3510S , PHYS 4050 , PHYS 4200 , PHYS 4210 , PHYS 4530 , PHYS 4540 . PHYS 3210  may be replaced with a Special Topics course in Classical Mechanics, when offered.

MATH 1030 , MATH 1070 , MATH 2030 , MATH 2070 , MATH 2080 , MATH 2530 .

The objective of the B.A. curriculum in physics is to enable the student to develop patterns of analytical reasoning and problem-solving which would be useful in the student’s chosen area outside of physics - medicine, law, etc. It is also intended that this curriculum will enable the student to acquire experiences that will serve as a foundation for later study in the chosen area of specialization. The student in the B.A. curriculum takes a total of 132 semester hours, with at least 24 in physics, 19 in mathematics and 24 in the area of specialization. The following courses are required for the B.A. degree:

PHYS 1121 , PHYS 2111 , PHYS 2121 , PHYS 3030 , PHYS 3210 , PHYS 3310L , PHYS 3510S , PHYS 3520S . PHYS 3210  may be replaced with a Special Topics course in Classical Mechanics, when offered.

MATH 1030 , MATH 1070 , MATH 2030 , MATH 2070 , MATH 2080 .

All majors must take a written comprehensive examination during the senior year dealing with the fundamentals of the various fields of physics and attend all departmental meetings. All dual degree engineering majors need to take a written examination in their junior year to receive a physics degree after completing the engineering degree requirements. In order for a physics or mathematics course to be counted for degree credit, a student must have a “C” or better in it.

All programs require taking the CHEM 1110 -CHEM 1120  sequence, however the CHEM 1010 -CHEM 1020  sequence may be substituted if a scheduling conflict does not permit taking the recommended 1110-1120 sequence. Note that a student’s chemistry courses must all be in one of the sequences.

Programs

• Physics Dual Degree Civil Engineering, B.A.
• Physics Dual Degree Electrical Engineering, B.A.
• Physics Dual Degree Environmental Engineering, B.A.
• Physics Dual Degree Mechanical Engineering, B.A.
• Physics, B.A.

• Physics, B.S.

• Physics Minor