Degree Requirement
METROPOLITAN STATE COLLEGE OF DENVER
Department of Physics
Degree Requirements
The Physics Department offers course work leading to a Bachelor of Science and to a Bachelor of Arts degree. A minor in physics is also offered. Undergraduates preparing for graduate study in physics should pursue the Bachelor of Science in physics. Undergraduates preparing to teach at the pre-collegiate level should obtain the Bachelor of Arts in physics. Those undergraduates preparing to work in industry or considering graduate work in engineering should consult with the Physics Department to determine which degree to pursue.
The Physics Department is taught jointly by the faculties of MSCD and the University of Colorado at Denver. MSCD students will receive instruction from the faculty of both institutions.
The Physics Department also offers courses in astronomy, which are designed primarily as general interest courses.
Physics Major for Bachelor of Science
Required Courses Semester Hours
| PHY 2311 | General Physics I | 4 |
| PHY 2331 | General Physics II | 4 |
| PHY 2321 | General Physics I Laboratory | 1 |
| PHY 2341 | General Physics II Laboratory | 1 |
| PHY 2711 | Vibrations and Waves | 3 |
| PHY 2811 | Modern Physics I | 4 |
| PHY 3011 | Modern Physics II | 3 |
| PHY 3211 | Analytical Mechanics | 4 |
| PHY 3411 | Thermal Physics | 3 |
| PHY 3711 | Physics Laboratory I | 2 |
| PHY 3811 | Quantum Mechanics | 3 |
| PHY 4331 | Electricity and Magnetism | 4 |
| PHY 4611 | Computational Physics I | 2 |
| PHY 4711 | Advanced Physics I Laboratory | 2 |
| PHY 4921 | Physics Senior Seminar | 1 |
| Total | 41 |
Physics Major for Bachelor of Arts
Required Courses Semester Hours
| PHY 2311 | General Physics I | 4 |
| PHY 2331 | General Physics II | 4 |
| PHY 2321 | General Physics I Laboratory | 1 |
| PHY 2341 | General Physics II Laboratory | 1 |
| PHY 2711 | Vibrations and Waves | 3 |
| PHY 2811 | Modern Physics I | 4 |
| PHY 3011 | Modern Physics II | 3 |
| PHY 3711 | Physics Laboratory I | 2 |
| PHY 4921 | Physics Senior Seminar | 1 |
| Subtotal | 23 |
Electives
A minimum of 8 additional semester hours of upper-division physics courses, two (2) of which must be from either PHY4611 (Computational Physics I) or PHY4711 (Senior Lab I).
| Subtotal | 8 |
| Total |
31 |
Required Ancillary Courses for Bachelor of Arts
| MTH 1410 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MTH 2410 | Calculus II | 4 |
Total Ancillary Courses Required 8
Minor in Physics
| PHY 2311 | General Physics I | 4 |
| PHY 2331 | General Physics II | 4 |
| PHY 2321 | General Physics I Laboratory | 1 |
| PHY 2341 | General Physics II Laboratory | 1 |
| PHY 2811 | Modern Physics I | 4 |
| Subtotal |
14 |
Electives
A minimum of 5 additional semester hours of upper-division physics courses selected in consultation with and approved by the Physics Department.
Subtotal 5
Total 19
Required Ancillary Courses for a Minor
| MTH 1410 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MTH 2410 | Calculus II | 4 |
| Total Ancillary Courses Required | 8 |
The one year sequence of PHY2010 - PHY2020 - PHY2030 - PHY2040 may be substituted for the PHY2311 - PHY2331 - PHY2321 - PHY2341 requirements with the consent of the Physics Department.
