PHYSICS
PHYSICAL SCIENCE
College: Arts and Sciences
Degree: B.A. or B.S.
Limited Access: NO
Contact: Dr. Mark Riley
Address: 315 Keen Building, FSU
              Tallahassee, FL 32306-4350
Phone: (850) 644-2867
E-Mail: chairman@phy.fsu.edu

Description of Major
The physical sciences play a central role in our understanding of nature and the technologies that serve our society.  The Physical Sciences degree program provides students with opportunities to explore the natural and technological worlds broadly, from the Earth and space sciences to modern physics to computer science and mathematics.  The Physical Sciences degree provides a strong preparation in quantitative skills, which in turn prepares a student for employment in entry-level scientific and technical jobs, and postgraduate work in a variety of fields.

Prerequisite Coursework:  0 beyond other requirements.
Students must complete the following prerequisites required for admission in preparation for the upper division major.  All of the following may also apply toward major and/or Liberal Studies requirements.
MAC X311 (4) Calculus with Analytic Geometry I
MAC X312 (4) Calculus with Analytic Geometry II
MAC X313 (4) Calculus with Analytic Geometry III
CHM X045, X045L (3,1) General Chemistry I, Lab (or equivalent)
CHM X046, X046L (3,1) General Chemistry II, Lab
PHY X048C (5) General Physics A
PHY X049C (5) General Physics B
Note:  State-wide common prerequisites are always under review.  For the most current information and for other courses that may serve as acceptable alternatives, visit http://facts23.facts.org/florida/facts/Home_Page/College_Students/Transferring/Common_Prerequisite_Manual/ .

Requirements for graduation in the College of Arts and Sciences include:
The College of Arts and Science requires proficiency in a foreign language through the intermediate (2220 or equivalent) level or sign language through the advanced (2614 or equivalent) level.

Admission Requirements to Major Program of Studies
To be admitted, students must complete at least 52 hours of credit with an adjusted GPA of 2.0 on FSU coursework and at least half the hours required in Liberal Studies including freshman English and mathematics. Students must earn a minimum grade of C- or higher in each required physics course.

Mapping
Mapping is FSU’s academic advising and monitoring system.  Academic progress is monitored each Fall and Spring semester to ensure that students are on course to earn their degree in a timely fashion.  Transfer students must meet mapping guidelines to be accepted into their majors.  You may view the map for this major at
www.academic-guide.fsu.edu/.

Departmental Policy on Grades and Continuation in the Major
A student who has received more than five unsatisfactory grades (U, F, D–, D, D+) in courses required for a major offered by the Department of Physics at Florida State University or elsewhere, whether or not repeated, will not be permitted to graduate with a degree in that major.  No physics, chemistry, geology, meteorology, computer science, or math course with a grade below “C-“may be used to satisfy the requirements for this major.

Major Program of Studies at FSU:  at least 46 hours
1. All of the following Physics courses (16 hours)
PHY 2048C (5) General Physics A
PHY 2049C (5) General Physics B
PHY 3091 (2) Communication in Physics (satisfies oral communication requirement)
PHY 3101 (3) Intermediate Modern Physics
PHY 3802L (1) Intermediate Laboratory A
2. At least one computer skills competency course selected from the following (3 hours)
PHZ 4151C (3) Computational Physics Laboratory
COP 3014 (3) Programming I
ISC 3313 (3) Introduction to Scientific Computing
3. Additional required courses; select nine (9) courses from the following list (at least 27 hours)
MAC 2313 (5) Calculus III
MAP 2302 (3) Ordinary Differential Equations or MAP 3305 (3) Engineering Math I
MAS 3105 (3) Applied Linear Algebra I
AST 4211 (3) Introduction to Astrophysics
PHY 3221 (3) Intermediate Mechanics
PHY 3424 (3) Optics
PHZ 3113 (3) Mathematical Physics
PHZ 3400 (3) Condensed Matter Physics
PHZ 4390 (3) Particle and Nuclear Physics
CHM 2200 and 2200L (3,1) Survey of Organic Chemistry and Lab
      or CHM 2210 (3) Organic Chemistry I
CHM 3120 and 3120L (3,1) Introduction to Analytical Chemistry and Lab
CHM 3400 (4) General Physical Chemistry
COP 3014 (3) Programming I (if not used to meet Computer Skills Competency)
COP 3330 (3) Object Oriented Programming
COP 3353 (1) Introduction to Unix
GLY 2010C (4) Physical Geology
GLY 2100 and 2100L (3,1) Historical Geology and Lab
GLY 3200C (3) Mineralogy and Crystallography
MET 2101 (3) Physical Climatology
MET 2700 (3) General Meteorology
MET 3300 (3) Introduction to Atmospheric Dynamics

Collateral Coursework:  16 hours
Majors must satisfy complete the courses listed below. As collateral courses, these may be used to satisfy Liberal Studies or minor requirements. If not, they must be taken in addition to other requirements.
MAC 2311 (4) Calculus with Analytic Geometry I
MAC 2312 (4) Calculus with Analytic Geometry II
CHM 1045, 1045L (3,1) General Chemistry I, Lab or CHM 1050, 1050L Honors General Chemistry I, Lab
CHM 1046, 1046L (3,1) General Chemistry II, Lab or CHM 1041, 1051L Honors General Chemistry II, Lab

Minor Coursework:  The required collateral courses may constitute a minor if not also used to meet Liberal Studies or other requirements. However, a student may select another minor in consultation with the departmental advisor.

Computer Skills Competency:  0 hours beyond major requirements.  PHZ 4151C (3), COP 3014 (3), or ISC 3313 (3).

Oral Communication Competency:  0 hours beyond major.  PHY 3091 (3)

Minimum Program Requirements - Summary
Total Hrs. Required 120
Liberal Studies 36*
Prerequisite courses 0 beyond other requirements
Major coursework  at least 46
Collateral coursework 16
Computer Skills 0 beyond major 
Oral Competency 0 beyond major
Foreign Language 0-12 (depending on placement)
Electives to bring total hours to 120
*NOTE:  Required coursework may often apply toward more than one area (for instance, collateral courses may also apply toward Liberal Studies or the minor).  Students who begin college prepared to start with calculus will have a greater number of hours available for electives.

Remarks:
1. 60 hours must be earned at a senior institution.
2. The final 30 hours must be in residence at FSU.
3. A minimum of 40 hours must be earned at the 3000/4000 (junior/senior) level.
4. Students who plan to earn the B. A. degree must complete a foreign language through the intermediate (2200 or equivalent) level and nine additional hours in the fields of history and humanities.

Employment Information
Representative Job Titles Related to this Major: Health Physicist, Chemical Physicist, Radiation Safety Officer, Community College Teacher, Biophysicist, High School Teacher, Geophysicist, Scientific Sales Representative, Environmental Scientist, Computer Systems Analyst, Consultant, Petroleum Companies, Technical Writer, Nuclear Technician.       

Representative Employers: Hospitals, Community Colleges, Manufacturers, School Boards, Utility Companies, Research and Development Firms, Electronic Firms, Governmental Agencies, Petroleum Companies, Engineering Firms.