Physics B.S.

The B.S. in physics prepares students for graduate school or for one of the many careers in business or industry in which physics graduates are employed. Students in the fields of mathematics, science, and engineering who are considering a double major in physics should discuss it with the undergraduate coordinator. Some course substitutions are allowed for such majors but they should be discussed in advance.

In addition to satisfying the university-wide general education requirements for the B.S. degree, candidates must complete a total of 45 credits in the major and 20 in mathematics, with a minimum GPA of 2.000, distributed as follows. Through the coursework below, physics majors satisfy the university-wide requirements in natural science and quantitative reasoning.

1. Eleven required core physics courses (27 credits):  PHYS 160,  161,  260,  261,  262,  263,  303,  305,  308,  402,  and 407. (Students double majoring in engineering/physics may substitute ECE 305 for PHYS 305 and ECE 333, 334 for PHYS 407).
2. Six credits chosen from: PHYS 251,  306,  307,  408 or 409,  416,  and ASTR 328 or 428.
3. Twelve credits chosen from PHYS 121, 122, 123, 124, CS 112, or any approved upper level physics (PHYS), astronomy (ASTR), chemistry (CHEM), electrical engineering (ECE), or mathematics (MATH) courses.
4. Six required math and statistics courses (20 credits): MATH 113, 114, 213, 214, 203, and 313.

In meeting the requirement for 12 credits outside the core, students have the option of electing an emphasis. The courses required for each emphasis are listed below. Students who wish to complete an emphasis should plan a program of study in consultation with their advisor.

Emphasis in Graduate School Preparation

Although any of the options listed here provide the successful student with a fully adequate background to enter graduate school, this emphasis is for students whose career goals definitely include graduate work in physics. To complete this emphasis, students should take at least 9 credits from the following courses: PHYS 510, 512, 540, and ASTR 530. In addition, they should complete a senior project (PHYS 408) or honors thesis (PHYS 405 and 406) in the specialty that they intend to pursue in graduate school.

Emphasis in Computational Physics

This emphasis is for students who wish to pursue a career that applies computers to the solution of physical problems and data analysis. To complete this emphasis, students should take at least 9 credits from the following courses: PHYS 510, ECE 442, MATH 446 and 447. In addition, they complete a senior project (PHYS 408) or honors thesis (PHYS 405 and 406) on a problem that involves the use of the computer for the solution of a physical problem.

Emphasis in Astrophysics

This emphasis is for students who are planning to attend graduate school in astrophysics or pursue a career in industry. To complete this emphasis, students should select four courses from the following: PHYS 428, ASTR 328, 530, 532, 535, and MATH 446. In addition, students should complete a senior project (PHYS 408) or honors thesis (PHYS 405 and 406) on an astrophysics problem.

Emphasis in Electronics

This emphasis is for students who wish to pursue a career in industry applying a strong background in electronics to physical problems. To complete this emphasis, students should take at least 9 credits from the following courses: ECE 301, 333, 430, 431, and 433. In addition, they should complete a senior project (PHYS 408) or honors thesis (PHYS 405 and 406) on an electronics problem.

Emphasis in Applied Solid State Physics

This emphasis is for students who wish to pursue a career in the semiconductor industry. To complete this emphasis, students should take the following courses: PHYS 512, ECE 430, and ECE 431. In addition, the student should complete a senior project (PHYS 408 or 409) or honors thesis (PHYS 405 and 406) in applied solid-state physics.

Writing-Intensive Requirement

The university requires all students to complete at least one course designated "writing intensive" in their majors at the 300 level or above. Students majoring in physics may fulfill this requirement by successfully completing PHYS 407.

Honors Program in Physics

Physics majors who have completed the prerequisites for PHYS 405 and 406 Honors Thesis in Physics and who have maintained an overall GPA of at least 3.500 in physics courses and a GPA of 3.500 in all courses taken at George Mason may apply to the departmental honors program. To graduate with honors in physics, a student is required to maintain a minimum GPA of 3.00 in physics courses and to successfully complete PHYS 405 and 406 with a GPA of at least 3.5 and a grade of at least A- in PHYS 406.