Physics (BA)
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 Arts (B.A.) curriculum has a flexible course of study if you desire an interdisciplinary program with an emphasis on physics.
For more information about this program, visit our website.
Department of Physics
NC State University
Campus Box 8202
Raleigh, NC 27695-8202
Dr. Dan Dougherty
Professor and Director of Undergraduate Programs
NC State University
Riddick Hall 101
Raleigh, NC 27695-8202
Phone: 919.514.2610
Email: dbdoughe@ncsu.edu
Plan Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours | Counts towards |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | |||
| ENG 101 | Academic Writing and Research 1 | 4 | |
| Physics | |||
| PY 201 | University Physics I 1 | 4 | |
| PY 202 | University Physics II 1 | 4 | |
| PY 203 | University Physics III 1 | 4 | |
| PY 252 | Instrumental and Data Analysis for Physics 1 | 2 | |
| PY 401 | Quantum Physics I 1 | 3 | |
| PY 411 | Mechanics I 1 | 3 | |
| PY 413 | Thermal Physics 1 | 3 | |
| PY 414 | Electromagnetism I 1 | 3 | |
| PY 452 | Advanced Physics Laboratory | 3 | |
| Math / Statistics / Computing | |||
| MA 141 | Calculus I 1 | 4 | |
| MA 241 | Calculus II 1 | 4 | |
| MA 242 | Calculus III 1 | 4 | |
| MA 341 | Applied Differential Equations I 1 | 3 | |
| MA 405 | Introduction to Linear Algebra 1 | 3 | |
| Statistics Elective 1 | 3 | ||
| PY 251 | Introduction to Scientific Computing 1 | 3 | |
| Computing / Numerical Methods Elective 1 | 3 | ||
| Science/Tech Electives | |||
| CH 101 | Chemistry - A Molecular Science 1 | 3 | |
| CH 102 | General Chemistry Laboratory 1 | 1 | |
| Basic Science Elective 1 | 3 | ||
| Technical Electives 1 | 13 | ||
Courses at the 300 level or above in science, mathematics, technology , engineering, and in math and science education. | |||
| GEP Courses | |||
| GEP Humanities | 6 | ||
| GEP Social Sciences | 6 | ||
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 2 | ||
| GEP US Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion | 3 | ||
| GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives | 5 | ||
| GEP Global Knowledge (verify requirement) | |||
| World Language Proficiency (verify requirement) | |||
| Restricted Electives | 6 | ||
| Select courses from the GEP Humanities list, GEP Social Sciences list, GEP Visual and Performing Arts list, and from courses at the 200 level or above in Education or Management. | |||
| Free Electives | |||
| Free Electives (12 Hr S/U Lmt) 2 | 9 | ||
| Total Hours | 120 | ||
- 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
| Code | Title | Hours | Counts towards |
|---|---|---|---|
| BUS 350 | Economics and Business Statistics | 3 | |
| EC 351 | Econometrics I | 3 | |
| ST 305 | 4 | ||
| ST 307 | Introduction to Statistical Programming- SAS | 1 | |
| ST 308 | Introduction to Statistical Programming - R | 1 | |
| ST 311 | Introduction to Statistics | 3 | |
| ST 312 | Introduction to Statistics II | 3 | |
| ST 350 | Economics and Business Statistics | 3 | |
| ST 370 | Probability and Statistics for Engineers | 3 | |
| ST 371 | Introduction to Probability and Distribution Theory | 3 | |
| ST 372 | Introduction to Statistical Inference and Regression | 3 | |
| ST 380 | 3 |
Computing / Numerical Methods Electives
| Code | Title | Hours | Counts towards |
|---|---|---|---|
| CSC 302 | Introduction to Numerical Methods | 3 | |
| CSC 427 | Introduction to Numerical Analysis I | 3 | |
| CSC 428 | Introduction to Numerical Analysis II | 3 | |
| MA 402 | Mathematics of Scientific Computing | 3 | |
| MA 427 | Introduction to Numerical Analysis I | 3 | |
| MA 428 | Introduction to Numerical Analysis II | 3 | |
| PY 525 | Computational Physics | 3 |
Basic Science Elective
| Code | Title | Hours | Counts towards |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIO 165 | 5 | ||
| BIO 181 | Introductory Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity | 4 | |
| BIO 183 | Introductory Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology | 4 | |
| BME 203 | 3 | ||
| CE 225 | Mechanics of Solids | 3 | |
| CH 201 | Chemistry - A Quantitative Science | 3 | |
| CH 202 | Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory | 1 | |
| CH 203 | General Chemistry II for Students in Chemical Sciences | 3 | |
| CH 204 | General Chemistry Laboratory II for Students in Chemical Sciences | 1 | |
| CH 220 | Introductory Organic Chemistry | 3 | |
| CH 222 | Organic Chemistry I Lab | 1 | |
| CHE 205 | Chemical Process Principles | 4 | |
| GN 301 | Genetics in Human Affairs | 3 | |
| MAE 214 | Solid Mechanics | 3 | |
| MEA 101 | Geology I: Physical | 3 | |
| MEA 110 | Geology I Laboratory | 1 | |
| MEA 200 | Introduction to Oceanography | 3 | |
| MEA 210 | Oceanography Lab | 1 | |
| MEA 215 | Introduction to Atmospheric Sciences | 4 | |
| MEA 220 | Marine Biology | 3 | |
| MSE 200 | Mechanical Properties of Structural Materials | 3 | |
| MSE 201 | Structure and Properties of Engineering Materials | 3 | |
| MSE 203 | 3 | ||
| NE 202 | Radiation Sources, Interaction and Detection | 4 | |
| TE 200 | Introduction to Polymer Science and Engineering | 3 |
Semester Sequence
This is a sample.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Hours | |
| PY 201 | University Physics I (CP) 1 | 4 |
| MA 141 | Calculus I (CP) 2 | 4 |
| ENG 101 | Academic Writing and Research | 4 |
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 1 | |
| COS 100 | Science of Change | 2 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| PY 202 | University Physics II (CP) 1 | 4 |
| MA 241 | Calculus II (CP) 2 | 4 |
| CH 101 | Chemistry - A Molecular Science 3 | 3 |
| CH 102 | General Chemistry Laboratory 3 | 1 |
| GEP Humanities | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| PY 203 | University Physics III (CP) 1,3 | 4 |
| PY 251 | Introduction to Scientific Computing 2 | 3 |
| MA 242 | Calculus III (CP) 2 | 4 |
| Restricted Elective | 3 | |
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 1 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| PY 411 | Mechanics I (CP) 1 | 3 |
| PY 252 | Instrumental and Data Analysis for Physics 1 | 2 |
| MA 341 | Applied Differential Equations I 2 | 3 |
| GEP Social Sciences | 3 | |
| Technical Elective 3 | 1 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| PY 414 | Electromagnetism I 1 | 3 |
| MA 405 | Introduction to Linear Algebra 1 | 3 |
| Advanced Writing Elective | 3 | |
| GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives | 3 | |
| Technical Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| PY 401 | Quantum Physics I 1 | 3 |
| Computing/Numerical Methods Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Statistics Elective 2 | 3 | |
| GEP Humanities | 3 | |
| Technical Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| PY 452 | Advanced Physics Laboratory | 3 |
| Basic Sciences Elective 3 | 3 | |
| GEP Social Sciences | 3 | |
| Technical Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| PY 413 | Thermal Physics 1 | 3 |
| GEP US Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion | 3 | |
| Technical Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Restricted Elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
- 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.
Career Opportunities
Career Titles
- Aeronautical & Aerospace Engineer
- Aerospace Engineering Technician
- Architect
- Astronomer
- Atmospheric and Space Scientist
- Biophysicist
- Cartographer and Photogrammetrists
- Environmental Engineer
- Environmental Research Analyst
- Fuel Cell Engineers
- Geologist
- Geophysicist
- Hazardous Waste Management Analyst
- Hydrographer
- Hydrologist
- Industrial Engineer
- Industrial Hygienist
- Materials Engineer
- Materials Scientist
- Mathematician
- Mechanical Engineer
- Meteorologist
- Nuclear Engineer
- Nuclear Fuels Research Engineer
- Oceanographer
- Optometrist
- Petroleum Engineer
- Photogrammetrist
- Physicist
- Physics Professor
- Radiation Protection Engineer
- Seismologist
- Soil Engineer
- Solar Energy Systems Designer
- Structural Engineer
- Sustainability Specialists
- Technical Publications Writer
- Water Pollution Control Inspector
- Weather Forecaster
Learn More About Careers
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