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Bachelor of Science in Physics, BS Applied Physics Emphasis

This is a sample curriculum plan for the Physics BS Applied Physics Emphasis within the College of Arts and Sciences at Boise State University.

If you are a prospective student viewing this document, please note curriculum is subject to change and specific per catalog year.

For current students, this plan is intended to be a glimpse at key sequencing within the major and includes some common/important advising notes. Sample plans are meant to provide aid in early, provisional planning. This plan does not replace the advice of academic advisors. Please refer to Advising Contacts for information about advising within the College of Arts and Sciences and how to contact advisors within each department.

First Year

First Semester

Subject/Area/CourseTitleCrs
PHYS 211Physics with Calculus I5
MATH 170Calculus I

4
ENGL 101Intro to College Writing3
UF 100Foundations of Intellectual Life3
TOTAL15

Second Semester

Subject/Area/CourseTitleCrs
MATH 175Calculus II4
ENGL 102Writing and Rhetoric I3
PHYS 212Physics with Calculus II5
MSE 101Introduction to Materials Engineering3
MSE 245LIntroduction to Materials Science and Engineering Lab
1
TOTAL16

Second Year

First Semester

Subject/Area/CourseTitleCrs
MATH 275Multivariable Vector Calculus4
PHYS 309Introductory Quantum Physics with Applications3
PHYS 309LIntroductory Quantum Physics Lab1
CHEM 111General Chemistry I3
CHEM 111LGeneral Chemistry I Lab1
UF 200Foundations of Ethics and Diversity3
TOTAL15

Second Semester

Subject/Area/CourseTitleCrs
MATH 333

Differential Equations w/ Matrix Theory
4
PHYS 301Electromagnetic Theory4
MSE 201Fundamentals of Materials Science and Engineering3
CS or MSE ClassRefer to Catalog3
TOTAL14

Third Year

First Semester

Subject/Area/CourseTitleCrs
PHYS 423Physical Methods of Materials Characterization3
PHYS 381Electromagnetic Theory

4
PHYS 325Introduction to Computational Mathematics4
FHFoundations of Humanities*3
Elective3
TOTAL17

Second Semester

Subject/Area/CourseTitleCrs
PHYS 341Classical Mechanics4
PHYS 382
Or
PHYS 330 & 330L
Electrodynamics
Or
Optics
4 or 5
FCFoundations of Oral Communication*3
PHYS 415


Solid State Physics3
TOTAL14 or 15

Fourth Year

First Semester

Subject/Area/CourseTitleCrs
MSE 308
Or
MSE 311
Thermodynamics of Materials
Or
Electrical, Optical, and Dielectric Materials
3
PHYS 432Thermal Physics4
FAFoundations of Arts*3
FSFoundations of Social Sciences*3
TOTAL13

Second Semester

Subject/Area/CourseTitleCrs
PHYS 499 (FF)Physics Senior Seminars1
FSFoundations of Social Sciences*3
PHYS 311Introductory Relativistic Physics with Applications3
Elective3
Elective3
Elective3
TOTAL16

Comments/Notes

  • Courses listed may require prerequisites. Please view the Undergraduate catalog to view the prerequisites
  • The major’s curriculum starts at Math 170. Enrollment in a math course below Math 170 has the potential to extend date of graduation
  • Information Subject to Change.
  • This is not a contract.
  • *Foundational course offerings here.
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