Who is this Physicist?

Sequence at a Glance - Physics

The Physics Sequence at a Glance

This is a four-year program designed for students planning graduate study in physics, graduate study in an allied field such as engineering, industrial/business employment, and other professional schools. Majors complete a well- balanced curriculum, concentrating on theoretical and experimental physics, computational physics and mathematics.

A special advantage which distinguishes the ISU program from other public universities is the fact that we are an undergraduate-only department, allowing the small size of the Department's classes. None of the physics courses listed below has more than 50 students and most have 25 or fewer students, allowing ample opportunity for individualized attention. All lectures are given by professors, and undergraduate instruction is their primary professional responsibility. A typical course sequence for physics majors is listed below. A brief description of each course is provided in the Illinois State University catalog. Potential minors include mathematics, chemistry, computer science, and business administration.

Required and Prereqisite Courses

PHYSICS COURSES

107 Frontiers in Physics
110 Physics for Scientists and Engineers I
111 Physics for Scientists and Engineers II
112 Physics for Scientists and Engineers III
217 Methods of Theoretical Physics
220 Mechanics I
240 Electricity and Magnetism I
270 Experimental Physics
284 Quantum Mechanics I
325 Thermal Physics
340 Electricity and Magnetism II
370 Advanced Experimental Physics
384 Quantum Mechanics II
Six additional hours (2 courses) to be chosen from 300-level Physics courses.

Tentative Physics 300-level elective schedule

Year/Semester	Elective 1	Elective 2
2009 Spring	320	375
2009 Fall	355
2010 Spring	330	375
2010 Fall	380.03
2011 Spring	387	375
2011 Fall	320
2012 Spring	355	375
2012 Fall	330

CHEMISTRY COURSES

CHE 140 General Chemistry I
CHE 141 General Chemistry II

MATH COURSES

(required as prerequisites to Physics courses only)

MAT 145 Calculus I
MAT 146 Calculus II
MAT 147 Calculus III
MAT 175 Linear Algebra
MAT 340 Differential Equations I

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY COURSES

(Highly recommended, but not required)

ITK 165 Programming for Scientists

Sample Course Sequence: Calculus 1 Track

Fall Year 1

Course	Title	Hours	ISU Gen Ed
MAT 145	Calculus I	4
PHY 110	Physics I	4
PHY 107	Frontiers in Physics	2
ENG 101	Language and Composition	3	IC
Gen ED		3	MC

Spring Year 1

Course	Title	Hours	ISU Gen Ed
MAT 146	Calculus II	4
PHY 111	Physics II	4
ITK 165	Scientific Programming	4
COM 110	Language and Composition	3	IC

Fall Year 2

Course	Title	Hours	ISU Gen Ed
MAT 147	Calculus III	4
PHY 112	Physics II	4
CHE 140	Chemistry I	4
Gen Ed		3	MC/OC

Spring Year 2

Course	Title	Hours	ISU Gen Ed
MAT 175	Linear Algebra	4
PHY 217	Methods Theo. Physics	3
CHE 141	Chemistry II	4
Gen Ed		3-6	MC/OC

Fall Year 3

Course	Title	Hours	ISU Gen Ed
MAT 340	Differential Equations	3
PHY 220	Mechanics I	3
PHY 240	E&M I	3
Gen Ed		6	MC/OC or minor

Spring Year 3

Course	Title	Hours	ISU Gen Ed
PHY 284	Quantam I	3
PHY 270	Advanced Lab	2
PHY 340	E&M II	1
Gen Ed		9	MC/OC or minor

Fall Year 4

Course	Title	Hours	ISU Gen Ed
PHY 325	Thermal Physics	3
PHY 370	Advanced Lab	1
PHY 3xx	Senior elective	3
Gen Ed		9	MC/OC or minior

Spring Year 4

Course	Title	Hours	ISU Gen Ed
PHy 375	Electronics	2
PHY 384	Quantam II	3
PHY 3xx	Senior Elective	3
PHY 3xx	Senior Elective	3
Gen Ed		3	OC or minor

Sample Course Sequence: Pre-Calculus 1 Track