The Department of Physics offers a multi-track program of study leading to the B.S. degree, giving students the flexibility to choose a suitable set of courses to prepare for their career goals. A common core of courses in theoretical and experimental physics will lead to a broad understanding of the general principles of physics. The different tracks allow students to specialize, applying problem-solving techniques in a certain area of interest; this also enhances their qualifications for employment in that area after graduation.
After graduation our students are prepared to enter advanced study in physics, engineering, medicine, environmental sciences, astronomy, and other related disciplines. They are also prepared to begin careers in positions are varied as engineering physics, computational physics, and physics education. Undergraduate physics majors benefit from small class sizes, and are encouraged to be involved in individually designed senior projects working with a faculty advisor.
Physics majors are discouraged from taking courses as a transient student at a community college, except in situations where one semester of a two semester sequence has already been taken at the community college.
Governance team for the undergraduate Program
Department Chair: Dr. Joshua Colwell (Josh@ucf.edu)
Associate Chair for Academic Programs: Dr. Laurene Tetard (Laurene.Tetard@ucf.edu).
Director of the Undergraduate Program: Dr. Elena Flitsiyan (Elena.Flitsiyan@ucf.edu) For questions specific to the undergraduate physics curriculum.
Do not hesitate to contact us if you have a question, comment or suggestion.
Suggested Program of Study
Freshman Year – Fall – 14 hrs | |
|---|---|
| MAC 2311C Calculus with Analytic GeometryI | 4 hrs |
| CHM 2045C Chemistry Fundamentals I | 4 hrs |
| GEP | 3 hrs |
| GEP | 3 hrs |
Freshman Year – Spring – 15 hrs | |
|---|---|
| PHY 2048C General Physics Using Calculus I | 4 hrs |
| MAC 2312 Calculus with Analytic Geometry II | 4 hrs |
| CHM 2046 Chemistry Fundamentals II | 3 hrs |
| PHY 1931 Freshman Physics Seminar or | 1 hr |
| CHM 2046L Chemistry Fundamentals Lab Note: Lab may be taken later if seats are not available | 1 hr |
| GEP | 3 hrs |
Sophom*ore Year – Fall – 17 hrs | |
|---|---|
| PHY 2049C General Physics Using Calculus II | 4 hrs |
| MAC 2313 Calculus with Analytic Geometry III | 4 hrs |
| COP 3502C Computer Science I | 3 hrs |
| GEP | 3 hrs |
| GEP | 3 hrs |
Sophom*ore Year – Spring – 15 hrs | |
|---|---|
| PHY 3101 General Physics Using Calculus III | 3 hrs |
| PHZ 3113 Introduction to Theor Meth of Phys | 3 hrs |
| MAP 2302 Ordinary Differential Equations I | 3 hrs |
| GEP | 3 hrs |
| GEP | 3 hrs |
Junior Year – Fall – 12 hrs | |
|---|---|
| PHY 3802L Intermediate Physics Laboratory | 3 hrs |
| PHY 3323 Electricity and Magnetism I | 3 hrs |
| PHY 3513 Thermal and Statistical Physics | 3 hrs |
| Restricted Elective | 3 hrs |
Junior Year – Spring – 15 hrs | |
|---|---|
| PHY 3220 Mechanics I | 3 hrs |
| PHY 4324 Electricity and Magnetism II | 3 hrs |
| Restricted Elective | 3 hrs |
| Restricted Elective | 3 hrs |
| GEP | 3 hrs |
Senior Year – Fall – 15 hrs | |
|---|---|
| PHY 4604 Wave Mechanics I | 3 hrs |
| PHY 4912 Independent Research | 3 hrs |
| Restricted Elective | 3 hrs |
| Restricted Elective | 3 hrs |
| Free Elective | 3 hrs |
Senior Year – Spring – 14 hrs | |
|---|---|
| PHY 4605 Wave Mechanics II | 3 hrs |
| Restricted Elective | 3 hrs |
| GEP | 3 hrs |
| Free Elective | 3 hrs |
| Free Elective | 3 hrs |
| Physics Exit Test |
Program Academic Learning Compacts View Full PDF
INTRODUCTORY PHYSICS SEQUENCE
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The physics department has made new alternatives available for students taking the introductory physics sequence. For each course, you can take either the “C” course which is taught in the Studio format with labs and lectures combined (for example, PHY 2053C), OR a combination of a lecture and lab course (for example, PHY 2053 and PHY 2053L). Note: the honors offerings of these courses will continue to be offered in the combined, or “C”, format.
Each option below is a total of 4 credit hours and meets for a total of 6 contact hours per week.
Option 1: Combined course: “C” or studio courses meet have two three-hour meetings or three two-hour meetings in the same classroom for combined lecture and lab.
Option 2: Separate lecture and lab courses:
Lecture courses (PHY 2053, PHY 2054, PHY 2048, and PHY 2049) meet for 3 hours for lecture, and a separate 50-minute meeting per week in a small group for recitation and problem solving. These recitation meetings are listed as “DIS” in the course schedule and are a graded and required component of the lecture courses.
“L” or lab courses (PHY 2053L, PHY2054L, PHY2048L, and PHY2049L) meet once a week for 2 hours, and the corresponding lecture course is a co-requisite or pre-requisite for these courses.
“L” courses cannot be taken without previously or simultaneously taking a lecture course (no letter).
In summary:
PHY 2048C is equivalent to taking BOTH PHY 2048 AND PHY 2048L.
PHY 2049C is equivalent to taking BOTH PHY 2049 AND PHY 2049L.
PHY 2053C is equivalent to taking BOTH PHY 2053 AND PHY 2053L.
PHY 2054C is equivalent to taking BOTH PHY 2054 AND PHY 2054L.
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Below is the Program of Study for the Physics B.S. and B.A. It is a recommended path of courses through the Physics Common Core Requisites.
Click here to view the below program of study pages in your web browser.
- This is one of numerous possible plans of study. See program description for all requirements. Consult a departmental advisor, Dr. Elena Flitsiyan, for alternate, new or more appropriate selections.
- Prior to enrolling in Chemistry, take Chemistry Placement Test: http://knightsource.sdes.ucf.edu/placement
- Prior to enrolling in Math, take Math Placement Test: http://utc.sdes.ucf.edu
- Although all classes are listed during the academic year, you may be required to complete 9 hours of them during the summer. Consult with an advisor to determine if you are exempt.
