Dec 13, 2024  
OHIO University Undergraduate Catalog 2024-25 
    
OHIO University Undergraduate Catalog 2024-25

Physics Major (B.S.)


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Major code BS3331

College of Arts and Sciences   
Physics and Astronomy  
Clippinger Labs 251
Athens, OH 45701
Fax: 740.593.0433
physics@ohio.edu
www.ohio.edu/cas/physics-astronomy

David Tees, contact person
tees@ohio.edu

Program Overview

The B.S. degree in physics provides a comprehensive introduction to both classical and modern physics. Students graduating with this degree will have a good understanding of Newtonian mechanics, electromagnetic phenomena, thermodynamics, special relativity and quantum mechanics. Students will also gain practical skills from laboratory and computer programming courses. The B.S. degree is the standard preparation for graduate degrees in Physics.

Admissions Information

Freshman/First-Year Admission

No requirements beyond University admission requirements. However, it is recommended that students entering the program have at least a Math Placement Level II, or an ACT Math score of 24, or a SAT Math score of 560.

Change of Program Policy

No selective or limited admission requirements. However, it is recommended that students changing into the program have at least a Math Placement Level II, or an ACT Math score of 24, or a SAT Math score of 560.

External Transfer Admission

No requirements beyond University admission requirements. However, it is recommended that students transferring into the program have at least a Math Placement Level II, or an ACT Math score of 24, or a SAT Math score of 560.

Opportunities Upon Graduation

The B.S. degree in physics is the gateway to many careers. An emphasis on physics together with the classical liberal education provided in the College of Arts and Sciences for all its B.S. degrees will prepare students for competitive graduate school programs and careers as diverse as the law, education, medicine, science writing, business, and politics. Potential employers of those with a physics degree include, but are not limited to, the following: institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, research centers, hospitals, the environmental industry, the electronic industry, public and private K-12 school systems, government entities, etc. In addition, the degree prepares students for advanced training in physics at the graduate level.

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Requirements

University-wide Graduation Requirements


Ohio University requires the completion of a minimum of 120 semester hours for the conferral of a bachelor’s degree. This program can be completed within that 120-hour requirement. For more information on the minimum hours requirement and other university-wide requirements, please review the Graduation Requirements – University-wide  page.

Liberal Arts and Sciences Distribution Requirement


View the College and Liberal Arts and Sciences Distribution Requirements .

Physics Hours Requirement


Complete a total of 36 semester credit hours of PHYS coursework, including all the requirements below.

General Physics Sequence


General Physics II


Complete one of the following courses/sequence:

Other Physics Courses


Complete the following courses:

Physics Seminar and Labs


Complete the following courses:

Advanced Physics Requirements


Complete the following courses:

Physics Common Mathematics Requirements


Complete the following courses:

Numerical Requirement for Physics


Complete the following course:

Natural Sciences Elective Courses


Complete at least 6 hours in PHYS, ASTR or MATH at 3000-level or above, in CHEM at 1500-level or above, or in BIOS at 1700-level or above. Courses used in the major may not be reused here.

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