Overview
The Bachelor of Science in Physics, offered by the Department of Physics, provides strong preparation for those wishing to attend graduate school in physics or related disciplines and is recommended for those who intend to enter the scientific workforce upon completion of a bachelor's degree. Physics students learn how the natural world works. The laboratory, math and problem-solving skills they pick up are great for the job market. Physics majors teach, work on Wall Street and serve in the military. They also perform well on the admission tests for law and medical schools.
Campus Location: Main
Program Code: ST-PHYS-BS
Distinction in Major
To graduate with distinction in this major, a student must satisfy the following criteria:
- achieve a minimum 3.5 major GPA and
- carry out an independent study or undergraduate thesis project.
Consult the undergraduate physics faculty advisor for more details.
Accelerated Programs
Accelerated programs provide a pathway for students to pursue both an undergraduate degree and an advanced degree in a shorter amount of time. Below is a list of available accelerated programs for students in the BS in Physics.
- BS in Physics / MEd in Middle Grades Education with a Concentration in Science
- BS in Physics / MEd in Middle Grades Education with a Concentration in Mathematics and Science
- BS in Physics / MS in Physics
Undergraduate Contact Information
Maria Iavarone, Chair
Science Education and Research Center, Room 440
215-204-7634
Matthew Newby, Faculty Advisor
Science Education and Research Center, Room 476
215-204-2642
matthew.newby@temple.edu
These requirements are for students who matriculated in academic year 2024-2025. Students who matriculated prior to fall 2024 should refer to the Archives to view the requirements for their Bulletin year.
Bachelor of Science Requirements
Summary of Requirements for the Degree
- University Requirements (123 total s.h.)
- Students must complete all University requirements including those listed below.
- All undergraduate students must complete at least two writing-intensive courses for a total of at least six credits at Temple as part of their major. The specific writing-intensive course options for this major are:
Course List Code Title Credit Hours PHYS 2796 Introduction to Modern Physics 4 PHYS 4796 Experimental Physics 3 - Students must complete the General Education (GenEd) requirements.
- See the General Education section of the Undergraduate Bulletin for the GenEd curriculum.
- Students who complete CST majors receive a waiver for 2 Science & Technology (GS) and 1 Quantitative Literacy (GQ) GenEd courses.
- Students must satisfy general Temple University residency requirements.
- College Requirements
- A minimum of 90 total credits within the College of Science & Technology (CST), the College of Liberal Arts (CLA), and/or the College of Engineering (ENG).
- A minimum of 45 of these credits must be upper-level (courses numbered 2000 and above).
- Complete a one-credit first-year or transfer seminar.
- A minimum of 90 total credits within the College of Science & Technology (CST), the College of Liberal Arts (CLA), and/or the College of Engineering (ENG).
- Major Requirements for Bachelor of Science (72-77 s.h.)
A least 9 courses required for the major must be completed at Temple. At least 8 Physics courses must be completed at Temple.Course List Code Title Credit Hours Mathematics MATH 1041 Calculus I 4 or MATH 1941 Honors Calculus I MATH 1042 Calculus II 4 or MATH 1942 Honors Calculus II MATH 2043 Calculus III 4 or MATH 2943 Honors Calculus III Select one of the following: 3-4 Differential Equations I Differential Equations with Linear Algebra Honors Differential Equations I Two science or mathematics elective courses These two electives can be chosen from Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, Earth & Environmental Science, Mathematics or Physics in consultation with the faculty advisor. 6-8 Physics Courses PHYS 1008 Physics Seminar I 1 Select one of the following: 4 Elementary Classical Physics I Honors Elementary Classical Physics I (F) General Physics I Honors General Physics I (F) Select one of the following: 4 Elementary Classical Physics II Honors Elementary Classical Physics II (S) General Physics II Honors General Physics II (S) PHYS 2101 Classical Mechanics (S) 3 PHYS 2511 Scientific Computing I 1.5 PHYS 3511 Scientific Computing II 1.5 PHYS 2502 Mathematical Physics (S) 4 PHYS 2796 Introduction to Modern Physics (S) 4 PHYS 3101 Analytical Mechanics (F) 3 PHYS 3301 Electricity and Magnetism (F) 4 PHYS 3302 Classical Electromagnetism (S) 3 PHYS 3701 Introduction to Quantum Mechanics I (S) 3 PHYS 4101 Thermal Physics (F) 3 PHYS 4302 Optics (F) 3 PHYS 4796 Experimental Physics (S) 3 Select two of the following: 6-8 Observational Astronomy Through Design Introduction to Astrophysics Optical and Electronic Properties of Materials (F) Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics Electronics (S (odd years)) Introduction to Solid State Physics (S (even years)) Introduction to Quantum Mechanics II (F) Total Credit Hours 72-77 Note: PHYS 3091 is not available for major credit.
Course List Code Title Credit Hours (F) - Fall only course (S) - Spring only course
Suggested Academic Plan
Bachelor of Science in Physics
Suggested Plan for New Students Starting in the 2024-2025 Academic Year
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| MATH 1041 or MATH 1941 | Calculus I or Honors Calculus I | 4 |
| PHYS 1008 | Physics Seminar I | 1 |
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Elementary Classical Physics I | ||
| Honors Elementary Classical Physics I (F) | ||
| General Physics I | ||
| Honors General Physics I (F) | ||
| SCTC 1001 | CST First Year Seminar | 1 |
| ENG 0802 | Analytical Reading and Writing [GW] or Analytical Reading and Writing: ESL [GW] or Honors Analytical Reading and Writing [GW] | 4 |
| Elective | 1 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| MATH 1042 or MATH 1942 | Calculus II or Honors Calculus II | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Elementary Classical Physics II | ||
| Honors Elementary Classical Physics II (S) | ||
| General Physics II | ||
| Honors General Physics II (S) | ||
| PHYS 2511 | Scientific Computing I | 1.5 |
| IH 0851 or IH 0951 | Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY] or Honors Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY] | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15.5 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| MATH 2043 or MATH 2943 | Calculus III or Honors Calculus III | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Differential Equations I | ||
| Differential Equations with Linear Algebra | ||
| Honors Differential Equations I | ||
| PHYS 2796 | Introduction to Modern Physics [WI] | 4 |
| IH 0852 or IH 0952 | Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ] or Honors Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ] | 3 |
| Elective | 4-3 | |
| Credit Hours | 18 | |
| Spring | ||
| PHYS 2101 | Classical Mechanics (S) | 3 |
| PHYS 2502 | Mathematical Physics (S) | 4 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3-4 | |
| Elective | 6-5 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| PHYS 3101 | Analytical Mechanics (F) | 3 |
| PHYS 3301 | Electricity and Magnetism (F) | 4 |
| PHYS 3511 | Scientific Computing II | 1.5 |
| Science Elective 1 | 3-4 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Elective | 2-1 | |
| Credit Hours | 16.5 | |
| Spring | ||
| PHYS 3302 | Classical Electromagnetism (S) | 3 |
| PHYS 3701 | Introduction to Quantum Mechanics I (S) | 3 |
| Science Elective 1 | 3-4 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Elective | 3-2 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| PHYS 4101 | Thermal Physics (F) | 3 |
| PHYS 4302 | Optics (F) | 3 |
| Physics Elective 2, 3 | 3-4 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Elective | 3-2 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| PHYS 4796 | Experimental Physics [WI] (S) | 3 |
| Physics Elective 2, 3 | 3-4 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Elective | 3-2 | |
| Credit Hours | 12 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 123 | |
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| (F) - Fall only course | ||
| (S) - Spring only course | ||
- 1
The elective can be chosen from Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, Earth & Environmental Science, Mathematics or Physics in consultation with the faculty advisor.
- 2
Complete two of the seven courses listed: PHYS 1454, PHYS 3424, PHYS 3702, PHYS 4301, PHYS 4701, PHYS 4702, PHYS 4801.
- 3
PHYS 3424 and PHYS 4701 are offered in even-numbered years. PHYS 3702 and PHYS 4301 are offered in odd-numbered years.
Accelerated Programs
Students may opt to pursue an accelerated +1 program, enabling them to complete both a bachelor's degree and master's degree in less time than the traditional route.
The following accelerated programs may be of interest for students in the Physics BS:
College of Education and Human Development