Physics Bachelor of Science
This is an archived copy of the 2024-2025 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit https://catalog.drake.edu.
Program Overview
The basic physics major is designed for students who are interested in a career in industry, government laboratories and applied science or in further study toward a graduate degree.
B.S. Degree Requirements
This degree is suitable for students who want to pursue graduate studies leading to research and academic careers in physics, biophysics or related fields. It can also be used as the basis for other careers such as engineering, actuarial science, medicine, law, computer programming and finances. It can be accompanied by the Biophysics concentration for those students interested in applications of physics to biological systems. The Physics B.S. program is very rigorous in Mathematics.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PHY 001 | INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICS I (with lab and discussion) | 4 |
| PHY 002 | INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICS II (with lab and discussion) | 4 |
| PHY 003 | CONTEMPORARY TOPICS SEMINAR | 1 |
| PHY 021 | INTRO TO METHODS IN PHYSICS | 3 |
| PHY 050 | MODERN PHYSICS | 4 |
| PHY 059 | ADVANCED LAB I & ERROR THEORY | 2 |
| PHY 121 | THEORETICAL MECHANICS | 4 |
| PHY 122 | ELECTROMAGNETIC THEORY | 4 |
| PHY 133 | ELECTRONICS (with lab) | 4 |
| PHY 149 | ADVANCED LAB II | 2 |
| PHY 181 | QUANTUM THEORY | 4 |
| PHY 182 | THERMO/STATISTICAL PHYSICS | 4 |
| PHY 191 | PHYSICS SEMINAR I | 1 |
| PHY 192 | PHYSICS SEMINAR II | 1 |
| PHY 197/198 | RESEARCH I 1 | 2 |
| PHY 199 | PHYSICS & ASTRONOMY CAPSTONE | 0 |
| Electives | ||
| Select three of the following: | 9 | |
| INTRODUCTION TO ASTROPHYSICS I | ||
or ASTR 195 | INTRODUCTION TO ASTROPHYSICS II | |
or ASTR 041 | ASTRONOMICAL TECHNIQUES | |
| MEDICAL BIOPHYSICS | ||
| COMPUTATIONAL PHYSICS | ||
| ADVANCED CLASSICAL PHYSICS | ||
Topical courses 2 | ||
| Additional requirements outside the department | ||
| MATH 050 | CALCULUS I | 3 |
| MATH 070 | CALCULUS II | 3 |
| MATH 080 | LINEAR ALGEBRA | 3 |
| MATH 100 | CALCULUS III | 3 |
| MATH 110 | MULTIVARIATE CALCULUS | 3 |
| MATH 120 | APPLIED DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS I | 3 |
| CHEM 001 | GENERAL CHEMISTRY I 3 | 3 |
| CS 065 | INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER SCIENCE I | 3 |
| Total Hours | 77 | |
- 1
Research Participation: 2 cr (min) of PHY 197 RESEARCH I and/or PHY 198 RESEARCH II at Drake and/or at least one REU (Research Experience for Undergraduates).
- 2
Other courses occasionally offered depending on interest and faculty availability
- 3
Students who take General Chemistry I at Drake University must take CHEM 001 GENERAL CHEMISTRY I with the lab (CHEM 003 GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LAB), as they are co-requisites. Students should note that a general chemistry lab is recommended for those pursuing certain pre-professional/career paths.
Depending on the student’s career goals, the academic advisor may recommend courses chosen from electives.
Grade Requirements for Graduation
2.0 minimum (C) average is required in all physics-credit courses. In addition, a C is required for Modern Physics, Advanced Lab I with Error Theory, Theoretical Mechanics, and Electromagnetic Theory.
In addition to programmatic requirements, students are responsible for satisfying all requirements of the Drake Curriculum, including Areas of Inquiry (AOI)
Student must also satisfy university graduation requirements for all undergraduate students..