The online catalog includes the most recent changes to courses and degree requirements that have been approved by the Faculty Senate, including changes that are not yet effective.
Applied Physics Option (122 Credits)
The program of courses below is appropriate for students who wish to enter industry upon graduation. The program of courses below is appropriate for students who have had a good experience with calculus in high school and wish to start physics in the first semester at WSU. Students who have placed in MATH 172 can accelerate the math sequence. Students who have not had calculus in high school should defer PHYSICS 201/211 until they have completed MATH 171. Upon consultation with the departmental advisor, modifications can be made in the list of required courses to fit the needs of individual students. The schedule of studies below includes the additional lab credit required for graduation by the College of Arts and Sciences.
Admission to the Major requirements
Students may be admitted to the major upon making their intentions known to the department.
Graduation Requirements
A research experience is required of all students as a PHYSICS 489 project; however, to gain valuable work experience outside the university, students are strongly encouraged to participate in an internship or research experience in industry or a government lab outside of WSU. The summer after the junior year is the most appropriate time for this experience. All students are required to submit an undergraduate thesis to a committee of two physics faculty members in the senior year. PHYSICS 490 will give credit for this effort. The student must earn a C (2.0) or better grade in each of the required physics courses.
Admission to the Major requirements
Students may be admitted to the major upon making their intentions known to the department.
Graduation Requirements
A research experience is required of all students as a PHYSICS 489 project; however, to gain valuable work experience outside the university, students are strongly encouraged to participate in an internship or research experience in industry or a government lab outside of WSU. The summer after the junior year is the most appropriate time for this experience. All students are required to submit an undergraduate thesis to a committee of two physics faculty members in the senior year. PHYSICS 490 will give credit for this effort. The student must earn a C (2.0) or better grade in each of the required physics courses.
| First Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| CHEM 105 [PSCI] | 4 |
| Diversity [DIVR] | 3 |
| ENGLISH 101 [WRTG] | 3 |
| MATH 171 [QUAN] | 4 |
| PHYSICS 188 | 1 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| CHEM 106 | 4 |
| ENGR 120 | 2 |
| HISTORY 105 [ROOT] | 3 |
| MATH 172 | 4 |
| PHYSICS 189 | 1 |
| Second Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| ECONS 101 [SSCI] | 3 |
| Equity and Justice [EQJS] | 3 |
| MATH 220, 225 or 230 | 2 or 3 |
| MATH 273 | 2 |
| PHYSICS 201 | 3 |
| PHYSICS 211 | 1 |
| Foreign Language, if needed1 | 0-4 |
| Option Elective2 | 3 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| Arts [ARTS] | 3 |
| ECONS 102 | 3 |
| MATH 315 | 3 |
| PHYSICS 202 | 3 |
| PHYSICS 212 | 1 |
| Foreign Language, if needed1 | 0-4 |
| Option Elective2 | 3 |
| Complete Writing Portfolio | |
| Third Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| PHYSICS 303 | 3 |
| PHYSICS 320 | 3 |
| PHYSICS 341 | 3 |
| STAT 360 or 370 | 3 |
| Option Elective2 | 3 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| Biological Sciences [BSCI] | 4 |
| PHYSICS 304 | 3 |
| PHYSICS 330 | 3 |
| PHYSICS 342 | 3 |
| PHYSICS 489 | 1 |
| Option Elective2 | 3 |
| Fourth Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| COM 400 [COMM], ENGLISH 301 [WRTG], or ENGLISH 402 [WRTG] | 3 |
| Humanities [HUM] | 3 |
| PHYSICS 443 | 3 |
| PHYSICS 450 | 3 |
| PHYSICS 490 [M] | 1 |
| Option Elective2 | 3 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| Integrative Capstone [CAPS] | 3 |
| PHYSICS 415 [M] | 3 |
| PHYSICS Electives3 | 3 |
| Option Elective2 | 3 |
Footnotes
| 1 | Two years of high school foreign language or at least two semesters of college-level foreign language are required by the College of Arts and Sciences for graduation. |
| 2 | Option Electives (18 credits): Choose from CE, CPT S, E E, ME, and MSE courses not used to fulfill other requirements. |
| 3 | Physics Electives (3 credits): Choose any 300-400-level ASTRONOM or PHYSICS courses not used to fulfill other requirements. |