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¸£Àû±ÆÕ¾ Catalog 2023-2024

Physics (BS)

This is an archived copy of the 2023-2024 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit .

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Physics provides the conceptual foundation for science and engineering. A physics degree is a mark of major intellectual achievement and a gateway to a thousand careers. The physics major at NC State combines the resources of a major research university with the ambience of a small college. Our ratio of physics majors to faculty of about 3 to 1 allows us to offer small classes, personal attention, and unparalleled opportunities for involvement in research.

Most physics majors are preparing for employment in a government or industrial laboratory, or with a company that provides STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) products or services. Other physics majors are preparing for graduate studies in physics or related sciences, or enrollment in professional schools (such as medicine or law). Some physics majors are preparing for a career as a high school teacher. The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in physics is the appropriate choice if you’re planning for graduate study in physics.

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Department of Physics
NC State ¸£Àû±ÆÕ¾
Campus Box 8202
Raleigh, NC 27695-8202

Dr. Dan Dougherty
Professor and Director of Undergraduate Programs
NC State ¸£Àû±ÆÕ¾
Riddick Hall 101
Raleigh, NC 27695-8202
Phone: 919.514.2610

·¡³¾²¹¾±±ô:Ìýdbdoughe@ncsu.edu

Plan Requirements

Orientation
Science of Change (Verify Requirement)
Communication
Select one of the following Advanced Writing courses:3
Communication for Engineering and Technology
Communication for Business and Management
Communication for Science and Research
·¡±·³ÒÌý101Academic Writing and Research 14
Physics
±Ê³ÛÌý201¸£Àû±ÆÕ¾ Physics I 14
±Ê³ÛÌý202¸£Àû±ÆÕ¾ Physics II 14
±Ê³ÛÌý203¸£Àû±ÆÕ¾ Physics III 14
±Ê³ÛÌý252Instrumental and Data Analysis for Physics 12
±Ê³ÛÌý401Quantum Physics I 13
±Ê³ÛÌý402Quantum Physics II 13
±Ê³ÛÌý411Mechanics I 13
±Ê³ÛÌý412Mechanics II 13
±Ê³ÛÌý413Thermal Physics 13
±Ê³ÛÌý414Electromagnetism I 13
±Ê³ÛÌý415Electromagnetism II 13
Math / Statistics / Computing
²Ñ´¡Ìý141Calculus I 14
²Ñ´¡Ìý241Calculus II 14
²Ñ´¡Ìý242Calculus III 14
²Ñ´¡Ìý341Applied Differential Equations I 13
²Ñ´¡Ìý401Applied Differential Equations II 13
²Ñ´¡Ìý405Introduction to Linear Algebra 13
Statistics Elective 13
±Ê³ÛÌý251Introduction to Scientific Computing 13
Computing / Numerical Methods Elective 13
Science/Tech Electives
°ä±áÌý101Chemistry - A Molecular Science 13
°ä±áÌý102General Chemistry Laboratory 11
Basic Science Elective 13
Advanced Experimental Physics 13
Technical Electives 110
Technical Electives are courses at the 300 level or above in science. mathematics, technology, engineering, and in math and science education.
GEP Courses
GEP Humanities6
GEP Social Sciences6
GEP Health and Exercise Studies2
GEP US Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion3
GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives5
GEP Global Knowledge (verify requirement)
Foreign Language Proficiency (verify requirement)
Free Electives
Free Electives (12 Hr S/U Lmt) 26
Total Hours120
1

A grade of C- or higher is required.

2

Students should consult their academic advisors to determine which courses fill this requirement.

Statistics Electives

µþ±«³§Ìý350Economics and Business Statistics3
·¡°äÌý351Econometrics I3
³§°ÕÌý3054
³§°ÕÌý307Introduction to Statistical Programming- SAS1
³§°ÕÌý308Introduction to Statistical Programming - R1
³§°ÕÌý311Introduction to Statistics3
³§°ÕÌý312Introduction to Statistics II3
³§°ÕÌý350Economics and Business Statistics3
³§°ÕÌý370Probability and Statistics for Engineers3
³§°ÕÌý371Introduction to Probability and Distribution Theory3
³§°ÕÌý372Introduction to Statistical Inference and Regression3
³§°ÕÌý3803

Computing / Numerical Methods Electives

°ä³§°äÌý302Introduction to Numerical Methods3
°ä³§°äÌý427Introduction to Numerical Analysis I3
°ä³§°äÌý428Introduction to Numerical Analysis II3
²Ñ´¡Ìý402Mathematics of Scientific Computing3
²Ñ´¡Ìý427Introduction to Numerical Analysis I3
²Ñ´¡Ìý428Introduction to Numerical Analysis II3
±Ê³ÛÌý525Computational Physics3

Basic Science Elective

µþ±õ°¿Ìý165Introduction to Environmental Research5
µþ±õ°¿Ìý181Introductory Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity4
µþ±õ°¿Ìý183Introductory Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology4
µþ²Ñ·¡Ìý2033
°ä·¡Ìý225Mechanics of Solids3
°ä±áÌý201Chemistry - A Quantitative Science3
°ä±áÌý202Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory1
°ä±áÌý203General Chemistry II for Students in Chemical Sciences3
°ä±áÌý204General Chemistry Laboratory II for Students in Chemical Sciences1
°ä±áÌý220Introductory Organic Chemistry3
°ä±áÌý222Organic Chemistry I Lab1
°ä±á·¡Ìý205Chemical Process Principles4
³Ò±·Ìý301Genetics in Human Affairs3
²Ñ´¡·¡Ìý214Solid Mechanics3
²Ñ·¡´¡Ìý101Geology I: Physical3
²Ñ·¡´¡Ìý110Geology I Laboratory1
²Ñ·¡´¡Ìý200Introduction to Oceanography3
²Ñ·¡´¡Ìý210Oceanography Lab1
²Ñ·¡´¡Ìý215Introduction to Atmospheric Sciences4
²Ñ·¡´¡Ìý220Marine Biology3
²Ñ³§·¡Ìý200Mechanical Properties of Structural Materials3
²Ñ³§·¡Ìý201Structure and Properties of Engineering Materials3
²Ñ³§·¡Ìý2033
±··¡Ìý202Radiation Sources, Interaction and Detection4
°Õ·¡Ìý200Introduction to Polymer Science and Engineering3

Advanced Experimental PhysicsÌý

±Ê³ÛÌý452Advanced Physics Laboratory3
±Ê³ÛÌý456Senior Design Project in Physics3

Semester Sequence

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Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterHours
±Ê³ÛÌý201 ¸£Àû±ÆÕ¾ Physics I (CP) 1 4
²Ñ´¡Ìý141 Calculus I (CP) 2 4
·¡±·³ÒÌý101 Academic Writing and Research 4
GEP Health and Exercise Studies 1
°ä°¿³§Ìý100 Science of Change 2
ÌýHours15
Spring Semester
±Ê³ÛÌý202 ¸£Àû±ÆÕ¾ Physics II (CP) 1 4
²Ñ´¡Ìý241 Calculus II (CP) 2 4
°ä±áÌý101 Chemistry - A Molecular Science 3 3
°ä±áÌý102 General Chemistry Laboratory 3 1
GEP Humanities 3
ÌýHours15
Second Year
Fall Semester
±Ê³ÛÌý203 ¸£Àû±ÆÕ¾ Physics III (CP) 1,3 4
±Ê³ÛÌý251 Introduction to Scientific Computing 2 3
±Ê³ÛÌý252 Instrumental and Data Analysis for Physics 1 2
²Ñ´¡Ìý242 Calculus III (CP) 2 4
GEP Social Sciences 3
ÌýHours16
Spring Semester
±Ê³ÛÌý411 Mechanics I (CP) 1 3
±Ê³ÛÌý413 Thermal Physics 1 3
²Ñ´¡Ìý341 Applied Differential Equations I 2 3
Basic Sciences 3 3
GEP Humanities 3
ÌýHours15
Third Year
Fall Semester
±Ê³ÛÌý412 Mechanics II 1 3
±Ê³ÛÌý414 Electromagnetism I 1 3
²Ñ´¡Ìý401 Applied Differential Equations II 2 3
Statistics Elective 2 3
Advanced Writing Elective 3
ÌýHours15
Spring Semester
±Ê³ÛÌý401 Quantum Physics I 1 3
±Ê³ÛÌý415 Electromagnetism II 1 3
²Ñ´¡Ìý405 Introduction to Linear Algebra 2 3
Computing/Numerical Methods Elective 2 3
Technical Elective 3 1
GEP Health and Exercise Studies 1
ÌýHours14
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
±Ê³ÛÌý402 Quantum Physics II 1 3
GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives 3
Technical Elective 3 3
Technical Elective 3 3
Free Elective 3
ÌýHours15
Spring Semester
Advanced Experimental Physics 1 3
GEP Social Sciences 3
GEP US Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 3
Technical Elective 3 3
Free Elective 3
ÌýHours15
ÌýTotal Hours120
1

At most one passing grade below C- is permitted in the Physics category.

2

At most one passing grade below C- is permitted in the Math/Statistics/Computing category.

3

At most one passing grade below C- is permitted in the Sciences/Technical Electives category.