PHYSICS MAJOR, B.S. Student Learning Outcomes. Contact Information. Requirements. Department Programs. Physics Major, B.S.

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1 Physics Major, B.S. PYSICS MAJOR, B.S. Contact Information Department of Physics and Astronomy Phillips all, CB# 255 (99) Christian Iliadis, Chair Jhon T. Cimmino, Academic Affairs Coordinator, Physics and Astronomy Frank Tsui, Director of Undergraduate Studies Lu-Chang Qin, Physics Advisor (students with last names beginning with A F) lcqin@ .unc.edu Dan Reichart, Physics Advisor (students with last names beginning with G I, and Astrophysics and Astronomy majors and minors) reichart@ .unc.edu Jennifer Weinberg-Wolf, Physics Advisor (students with last names beginning with J R) jweinber@physics.unc.edu Reyco enning, Physics Advisor (students with last names beginning with S Z, and Quantitative Finance majors) rhenning@unc.edu The goal of physics and astronomy is a unified description of the properties of matter and energy. The study of matter and energy encompasses a range of phenomena, from the subnuclear to the cosmological. Physics seeks to understand the way the universe works, from the very small scale (quarks and neutrinos) to the human scale (materials encountered in daily life) to the very large (the structure of the cosmos). Different approaches and technologies are used in these different regimes. Department Programs Majors Physics Major, B.A. ( programs-study/physics-major-ba) Physics Major, B.S. (p. ) Minors Astronomy Minor ( Physics Minor ( Graduate Programs M.S. in Physics ( Ph.D. in Physics ( Student Learning Outcomes Upon completion of the physics program, students should be able to: Demonstrate knowledge of major concepts, theoretical reasoning, and empirical findings in physics and/or astronomy Knowledge Base in Physics Apply knowledge of physics and mathematics to solve problems Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Effectively conduct research under guidance of faculty member Research and the Advancement of Physics and Astronomy Gain entry to top graduate programs, employment as physicists in industry, teaching positions in high school physics and astronomy, or apply their skills in other rewarding careers Preparation for Future Career Requirements In addition to the program requirements listed below, students must attain a final cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 complete a minimum of 5 academic credit hours earned from UNC Chapel ill courses take at least half of their major course requirements (courses and credit hours) at UNC Chapel ill earn a minimum of 8 hours of C or better in the major core requirements (some majors require 2 hours). For more information, please consult the degree requirements section of the catalog ( Physics Major, B.S. Standard Option Core Requirements PYS 28L Experimental Techniques in Physics 2 PYS Electromagnetism I PYS 2 Introduction to Quantum Mechanics 2 PYS Introduction to Numerical Techniques in Physics PYS 5 Electronics I PYS 58 Physical Modeling PYS 0 Mechanics I 2 PYS 2 Electromagnetism II 2 PYS Thermal Physics PYS 8L Advanced Laboratory I 2 PYS 52 Applications of Quantum Mechanics PYS 95 Research with Faculty Mentor II (optional for UNC BEST students) or PYS 692 Senior onor Thesis Research II Two additional courses chosen from: 6 ASTR (numbered above 00) ENGL 0 MAT 528 Advanced Expository Writing for the Natural Sciences Mathematical Methods for the Physical Sciences I MAT 529 Mathematical Methods for the Physical Sciences II PYS 2 Physical Computing 2 PYS (numbered above 00) Additional Requirement

2 2 Physics Major, B.S. CEM 0 CEM 02 & 02L I I MAT 2 Calculus of Functions of One Variable I MAT 22 Calculus of Functions of One Variable II MAT 2 Calculus of Functions of Several Variables MAT 8 First Course in Differential Equations PYS 8 Remaining General Education ( undergraduate/general-education-curriculum-degree-requirements) requirements and enough free electives to accumulate 2 academic hours Total ours 2 9 CEM 0 (CEM 02/CEM 02L are recommended but not required) MAT 2 Calculus of Functions of One Variable I MAT 22 Calculus of Functions of One Variable II MAT 2 Calculus of Functions of Several Variables MAT 8 First Course in Differential Equations PYS 8 Remaining General Education ( undergraduate/general-education-curriculum-degree-requirements) requirements and enough free electives to accumulate 2 academic hours Total ours Fall course Spring course 2 Fall course Spring course Astronomy (ASTR) and Physics (PYS) course descriptions ( catalog.unc.edu/undergraduate/departments/physics-astronomy/ #coursestext). Physics Major, B.S. Astrophysics Option Core Requirements ASTR 59 Observational Astronomy PYS 28L Experimental Techniques in Physics 2 PYS Electromagnetism I PYS 2 Introduction to Quantum Mechanics 2 PYS Introduction to Numerical Techniques in Physics (with project on an astrophysics topic) PYS 5 Electronics I PYS 58 Physical Modeling PYS 0 Mechanics I 2 PYS 2 Electromagnetism II 2 PYS Thermal Physics PYS 52 Applications of Quantum Mechanics PYS 95 Research with Faculty Mentor II (optional for UNC BEST students) or PYS 692 Senior onor Thesis Research II One additional course chosen from: ASTR (numbered above 00) ENGL 0 MAT 528 Advanced Expository Writing for the Natural Sciences Mathematical Methods for the Physical Sciences I MAT 529 Mathematical Methods for the Physical Sciences II PYS 2 Physical Computing 2 Additional Requirement ASTR 202 Introduction to Astrophysics Astronomy (ASTR) and Physics (PYS) course descriptions ( catalog.unc.edu/undergraduate/departments/physics-astronomy/ #coursestext). As part of these course requirements, candidates for the B.S. degree must earn grades of C (not C-) or better in at least 8 credit hours of courses that are listed under Core Requirements. It is strongly recommended that students planning to major in physics fulfill the Foundations requirement in English composition and rhetoric by enrolling in ENGL 05I. Most students will find it advantageous to defer some of the General Education requirements to the junior and/or senior year(s). Sample Plan of Study Sample plans can be used as a guide to identify the courses required to complete the major and other requirements needed for degree completion within the expected eight semesters. The actual degree plan may differ depending on the course of study selected (second major, minor, etc.). Students should meet with their academic advisor to create a degree plan that is specific and unique to their interests. The sample plans represented in this catalog are intended for first-year students entering UNC Chapel ill in the fall term. Some courses may not be offered every term. Standard Option Sample I For students placed into MAT 2 Course Title ours MAT 2 Calculus of Functions of One Variable I

3 Physics Major, B.S. CEM 0 PYS 8 MAT 22 Calculus of Functions of One Variable II CEM 02 & 02L I I ours 2 MAT 2 Calculus of Functions of Several Variables PYS 28L Experimental Techniques in Physics 2 PYS 0 Mechanics I PYS Introduction to Numerical Techniques in Physics MAT 8 First Course in Differential Equations ours 2 PYS Electromagnetism I PYS 5 Electronics I PYS 58 Physical Modeling ours PYS 2 Introduction to Quantum Mechanics PYS 2 Electromagnetism II ours 9 PYS Thermal Physics PYS 8L Advanced Laboratory I 2 PYS 52 Applications of Quantum Mechanics PYS 95 Research with Faculty Mentor II ours Total ours 7 Course Title ours PYS 8 MAT 22 Calculus of Functions of One Variable II MAT 2 Calculus of Functions of Several Variables CEM 0 ours 2 PYS 28L Experimental Techniques in Physics 2 MAT 8 First Course in Differential Equations CEM 02 & 02L I I ours 9 PYS 0 Mechanics I PYS Introduction to Numerical Techniques in Physics ours 0 PYS Electromagnetism I PYS 5 Electronics I PYS 58 Physical Modeling ours PYS 2 Electromagnetism II PYS 2 Introduction to Quantum Mechanics ours 9 PYS Thermal Physics PYS 8L Advanced Laboratory I 2 PYS 52 Applications of Quantum Mechanics PYS 95 Research with Faculty Mentor II ours Total ours 70 Sample II For students placed into MAT 22

4 Physics Major, B.S. Courses may be chosen from ASTR (numbered above 00), ENGL 0, MAT 528, MAT 529, PYS 2, PYS (numbered above 00). Astrophysics Option Sample I For students placed into MAT 2 Course Title ours MAT 2 Calculus of Functions of One Variable I CEM 0 PYS 8 MAT 22 Calculus of Functions of One Variable II MAT 2 Calculus of Functions of Several Variables ASTR 202 Introduction to Astrophysics ours PYS 28L Experimental Techniques in Physics 2 PYS Introduction to Numerical Techniques in Physics (Astrophysics project) PYS 0 Mechanics I MAT 8 First Course in Differential Equations ours 2 PYS Electromagnetism I PYS 5 Electronics I PYS 58 Physical Modeling ASTR 59 Observational Astronomy ours 5 PYS 2 Introduction to Quantum Mechanics PYS 2 Electromagnetism II ours 9 PYS Thermal Physics PYS 52 Applications of Quantum Mechanics ours 9 PYS 95 Research with Faculty Mentor II ours Total ours 75 Sample II For students placed into MAT 22 Course Title ours PYS 8 MAT 22 Calculus of Functions of One Variable II MAT 2 Calculus of Functions of Several Variables CEM 0 ours 2 PYS 28L Experimental Techniques in Physics 2 MAT 8 First Course in Differential Equations ASTR 202 Introduction to Astrophysics PYS 0 Mechanics I PYS Introduction to Numerical Techniques in Physics ours 0 PYS Electromagnetism I PYS 5 Electronics I PYS 58 Physical Modeling ASTR 59 Observational Astronomy ours 5 PYS 2 Electromagnetism II PYS 2 Introduction to Quantum Mechanics One elective course 2 ours 6 PYS Thermal Physics PYS 52 Applications of Quantum Mechanics

5 Physics Major, B.S. 5 ours 9 PYS 95 Research with Faculty Mentor II ours Total ours 7 Course may be chosen from ASTR (numbered above 00), ENGL 0, MAT 528, MAT 529, PYS 2. Special Opportunities in Physics and Astronomy onors in Physics and Astronomy The honors program offers exceptionally well-qualified students an opportunity to perform original research with a faculty member and graduate with honors or highest honors. It requires an overall grade point average of at least. and a grade point average of at least. for physics courses at the end of the junior year. For more details on admission requirements, application deadlines, and submitting an online application, visit the School of Education Web site ( Undergraduate Awards The department gives awards each year to the senior (Shearin Award) and junior (Johnson Award) who demonstrate the greatest achievement. In addition, the department awards the major with the most research achievement the Robert Sheldon Award for Undergraduate Research. Undergraduate Research All majors conduct at least one semester of research under the supervision of a faculty member. Many enjoy the experience so much that they continue for several semesters. An approved learning contract is required prior to registering for PYS 295 and PYS 95, and students must be registered within the first week of classes. Students who wish to enter the honors program should consult with the departmental coordinator ( for the program no later than the preregistration period in the spring semester of their junior year. Departmental Involvement The Society of Physics Students, open to anyone interested in physics, builds connections between undergraduates, graduate students, faculty, and alumni. The society invites visitors to give talks and sponsors a number of events for students each year. Women in Physics at UNC Chapel ill, an organization that aims to provide resources, advice, and an encouraging social atmosphere for women in the field of physics, welcomes physics majors and all women interested in physics. UNC BEST The UNC Baccalaureate Education in Science and Teaching (UNC BEST) Program is a collaboration between the School of Education and the College of Arts and Sciences and is designed to allow undergraduate science majors interested in teaching high school science the opportunity to earn their science degree and obtain licensure as a North Carolina high school science teacher in four years. UNC BEST students meet all the degree requirements for their degree using PYS 0 as one of their upper-level physics courses. Code Title ours PYS 0 Teaching and Learning Physics EDUC 689 EDUC 52 EDUC 65 Foundations of Special Education (may substitute EDUC 56) Introduction to Development and Learning (may substitute EDUC 0) Schools and Community Collaboration (may substitute EDUC 5) EDUC 59 Internship/Student Teaching 2 EDUC 60 Education Workshops