2006-2008 Catalog of Courses

Department of Physics

College of Natural Sciences

www.physics.uni.edu

Staff:

C. Chancey, Head. F. Behroozi, K. Couch Breitbach, J. Deisz, L. Escalada, T. Kidd, J. Morgan, D. Olson, M. Roth, P. Shand.

The Department of Physics offers the following undergraduate programs.  Specific requirements for these programs are listed within this Department of Physics section in the following order:

Undergraduate Majors (B.S.)

Applied Physics

Physics

Undergraduate Majors (B.A.)

Physics

Physics--Teaching

Combined B.A./P.S.M. or B.S./P.S.M. Applied Physics

Minors

Physics

Physics--Teaching

The Department of Physics offers major programs in two baccalaureate areas: the Bachelor of Science and the Bachelor of Arts. The B.S. Physics major is recommended for students who wish to prepare for graduate study in physics, engineering, or other sciences such as geophysics, astronomy, biophysics, or medical physics.

The B.S. Applied Physics major is especially suitable for students seeking industrial or other applied employment after the B.S. degree. It could also serve as a background for graduate study in some applied science or engineering areas.

The B.A. Physics major is for students (including double majors) desiring a broad background in science or who are taking a substantial amount of work in other areas. With appropriate choice of electives the B.A. Physics major meets the needs of pre-medical and pre-law students and students planning careers in science-related administration, business, or technical writing.

The B.A. Physics Major Teaching is for students preparing to be physics teachers at the secondary school level.

Bachelor of Science Degree Programs

Note: To graduate with a B.S. degree in Physics or Applied Physics, a student must earn an overall grade point average of at least 2.50 in all courses applied toward the major.

Applied Physics Major

The B.S. Applied Physics major requires a minimum of 126 total hours to graduate. This total includes Liberal Arts Core requirements and the following specified major requirements, plus electives to complete the minimum of 126 hours. Liberal Arts Core courses included in major program requirements are distinguished by italics.

Option 1: Applied Physics

Option 2: B.S. Applied Physics/Engineering Dual-Degree Major

Qualified students may pursue a dual-degree major leading to a B.S. Applied Physics degree from the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) and a B.S. engineering degree from Iowa State University (ISU) or the University of Iowa (UI). This requires approximately three years of attendance at UNI followed by approximately two years of attendance at ISU or UI. Students who successfully complete the UNI part of the major are guaranteed admittance into the ISU or UI portion of the major if they have: an average of at least B (3.00 GPA) in all course work; an average of at least B (3.00 GPA) in the chemistry and biochemistry, mathematics, and physics courses required by the UNI Department of Physics; and the positive recommendation of the Head, Department of Physics.

The engineering courses completed toward a B.S. engineering degree at ISU or UI will be transferred to UNI to provide 6-9 credit hours of electives for the applied physics portion of the major. The UNI internship requirement will be satisfied through comparable practical experience at ISU or UI that has been approved by the Head, Department of Physics, UNI.

In the first three years at UNI students in the major must complete at least 90 semester credit hours of course work. In addition to the courses listed above, the students are expected to complete courses to satisfy the Liberal Arts Core requirements. Credit, but no grades, for courses at UNI passed with a grade of C or better will be transferred to ISU or UI as credit for equivalent courses there, even though they may not be required by the engineering curriculum selected by the student.

During the years at ISU or UI, students will complete the requirements specified in the College of Engineering Catalog at the time of their admission. Course work completed at ISU or UI will be transferred to UNI to complete the requirements for the applied physics portion of the major. Upon successful completion of the major, students will be eligible to participate in commencement ceremonies at both UNI and either ISU or UI.

Physics Major

The B.S. Physics major requires a minimum of 126 total hours to graduate. This total includes Liberal Arts Core requirements and the following specified major requirements, plus electives to complete the minimum of 126 hours. Liberal Arts Core courses included in major program requirements are distinguished by italics.

Bachelor of Arts Degree Programs

Physics Major

The B.A. Physics major requires a minimum of 120 total hours to graduate. This total includes Liberal Arts Core requirements and the following specified major requirements, plus electives to complete the minimum of 120 hours. Liberal Arts Core courses included in major program requirements are distinguished by italics.

Physics Major--Teaching

The B.A. Physics major in teaching requires a minimum of 130 total hours to graduate. This total includes Liberal Arts Core requirements, the Professional Education Requirements, and the following specified major requirements, plus electives to complete the minimum of 130 hours. Liberal Arts Core courses included in major program requirements are distinguished by italics.

Sufficient work including current curricula should be taken for licensure approval in a second area. Common teaching combinations are physics-chemistry or physics-mathematics.

Completion of this major will satisfy the requirements of the Iowa Department of Education for licensure.

Combined B.A./P.S.M. or B.S./P.S.M. Applied Physics

The B.A./P.S.M. or B.S./P.S.M. degree program is a five-year program offered on the non-thesis option only, leading to both the B.A./B.S. in physics or applied physics and the P.S.M. degree in applied physics. This degree program prepares students for careers in applied physics or engineering businesses and industries. Emphasis is placed on blending core physics knowledge and applied skills with an understanding of business and an internship experience. Students interested in this program may declare their intent by the end of the junior year, provided they have completed 880:150 and have an overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 or above. An Application for Admission to Graduate Study should be completed and the student's interest in the Combined B.A./P.S.M. or B.S./P.S.M. Program in Applied Physics indicated on the application itself.

Once admitted to the program, undergraduate students (who are classified as seniors), may register for graduate credit as a senior, with the approval of the department head. The student presents a signed Student Request form (with appropriate signatures), when registering for graduate credit as a senior. The combined total of course credits, both undergraduate and graduate, may not exceed 15 hours in a semester or 8 hours in a summer session. Graduate work completed on the early admission basis will be counted as graduate credit only if the student actually earns the bachelor's degree at the end of the semester or summer session in which the course work is taken. Actual admission to graduate study and classification as a graduate student commences the semester after the student has completed the baccalaureate.

Minors

Physics Minor

Liberal Arts Core courses included in minor program requirements are distinguished by italics.

Physics Minor--Teaching

Liberal Arts Core courses included in minor program requirements are distinguished by italics.