Physical Sciences B.A.

University Admissions - College of Arts and Sciences

Admission to the University is based on the University’s Undergraduate Admission Requirements that may be found by clicking on the following urls:

• Freshman: https://www.usf.edu/admissions/freshmen/admission-information/requirements-deadlines.aspx

• Transfer: https://www.usf.edu/admissions/transfer/admission-information/index.aspx

• International: https://www.usf.edu/admissions/international/admission-information/index.aspx

For Admission information specific to the College of Arts and Sciences, see the information at College of Arts and Sciences .

Graduation Requirements - College of Arts and Sciences

Satisfactory completion of the following requirements:

• Students must complete all State and University level graduation requirements.
•  Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 in USF coursework. Note: Some Departments/program/major require a higher GPA. Students should refer to Department/program/major specific catalog requirements.
• Physical Education coursework is limited to two (2) semester hours.
• ROTC courses that are primarily physical training and field experiences will not be applied to College of Arts and Sciences degree programs. All other military Science coursework will apply, in particular, coursework utilized toward completing an established ROTC minor will be applied to the total hours toward degree. 
• When earning a second degree, double major or concurrent degree, the Major Core and Major Elective/Concentration areas of the degree audit must not overlap for both degrees.  All other areas of the degree audit may have overlapping credit hours applied.
• Maximum of 20 hours of S/U option. S/U contracts must be negotiated in writing within the first three (3) weeks of the term. None of the 20 credits may be taken in the student’s major unless S/U is the only grading option. Coursework fulfilling the General Education Core Curriculum Requirements and the State Communication Requirement (formerly known as Gordon Rule Writing) and State Computation Requirement (formerly known as Gordon Rule Math) may not be taken S/U.
• The Audit option is available only during the first 5 days of classes.
• “D” grades are not acceptable in the major and supporting sciences for all natural sciences majors (Biomedical Sciences; Cell Biology, Microbiology, and Molecular Biology; Integrative Biology; Interdisciplinary Natural Sciences; Medical Technology; Chemistry; Geology; Math; Physics, and Physical Sciences). “D” grades are not acceptable for the major area in Anthropology, Communication, English, Geography, History, Humanities, Mass Communications, Philosophy, Psychology, and Sociology.
• Complete all major course requirements.
• College of Arts and Sciences students are expected to complete a minimum of 50% of their major and/or minor coursework in residence at USF. Some College of Arts and Sciences Departments/programs/majors have established additional major course hours to be taken in residency at USF. See the major or program section of the catalog for these credit-hour requirements.

State Mandated Common Course Prerequisites - Physical Sciences B.A.

Following Florida BOG Regulation 8.010, state mandated common course prerequisites are lower-division courses that are required for progression into the upper division of a particular baccalaureate degree program. 

Transfer students should complete the State Mandated Common Course Prerequisites at the lower level prior to entering the university. If these courses are not taken at a Florida College System institution, they must be completed before the degree is granted. Successful completion of the common prerequisites alone does not guarantee a student admission into the degree program.

Unless stated otherwise, a grade of C is the minimum acceptable grade in prerequisite courses. 

• CHM X045C or (CHM X040 and CHM X041) or (CHM X045 and CHM X045L) - 4-6 credit hours
• CHM X046C or (CHM X046 and CHM X046L) - 4 credit hours
• MAC X311 or MAC X281 - 4 credit hours
• MAC X312 or MAC X282 - 4 credit hours
• MAC X313 or MAC X283 - 4 credit hours
• [(PHY X048 and PHY X048L) and (PHY X049 and PHY X049L)] or (PHY X048C and PHY X049C) - 4 credit hours

Supporting Required Courses: 11 courses; 28 credit hours

The following courses are prerequisite and supporting courses for this major.  The degree will not be awarded if these courses have not been taken by the end of the student’s final semester.

• CHM 2045 - General Chemistry I Credit(s): 3
• CHM 2045L - General Chemistry I Laboratory Credit(s): 1
• CHM 2046 - General Chemistry II Credit(s): 3
• CHM 2046L - General Chemistry II Laboratory Credit(s): 1
• MAC 2311 - Calculus I Credit(s): 4

• OR

• MAC 2281 - Engineering Calculus I Credit(s): 4
• MAC 2312 - Calculus II Credit(s): 4

• OR

• MAC 2282 - Engineering Calculus II Credit(s): 4
• MAC 2313 - Calculus III Credit(s): 4

• OR

• MAC 2283 - Engineering Calculus III Credit(s): 4
• PHY 2048 - General Physics I - Calculus Based Credit(s): 3

• OR

• PHY 2060 - Enriched General Physics I with Calculus Credit(s): 3 (Recommended)

• AND

• PHY 2048L - General Physics I Laboratory Credit(s): 1

• AND

• PHY 2049 - General Physics II - Calculus Based Credit(s): 3

• OR

• PHY 2061 - Enriched General Physics II with Calculus Credit(s): 3 (Recommended)

• AND

• PHY 2049L - General Physics II Laboratory Credit(s): 1

Required Courses: (25 credit hours)

Physical Sciences B.A. - Additional Information

Research Opportunities - College of Arts and Sciences

Undergraduate students in any degree program are able to participate in undergraduate research. Several options exist to show mentored undergraduate research activity on a student’s official transcript. Those who wish to enroll in an undergraduate research course should consult with their academic advisor to understand how the credit will apply towards the degree requirements. If no credit is needed, students may be eligible to enroll in the 0-credit IDS 4914   course. This course will not impact degree credits or GPA but will show on an official transcript and document the experience. The Office of High Impact Practices and Undergraduate Research is able to assist with further inquiries.

Advising Information - College of Arts and Sciences

USF students schedule advising appointments online through USF Archivum Platform. Students are encouraged to meet with their advisor each semester to discuss course planning, degree progression, and career preparation. 

Tampa campus website:  https://www.usf.edu/arts-sciences/students/academic-advising/index.aspx
For questions, email PhysicsAdvise@usf.edu.

4 Year Plan of Study - Physical Sciences B.A.

NOTES:

• SCIV - Civics Literacy  needs to be completed prior to graduation. For more information, see https://www.usf.edu/undergrad/students/civics-literacy.aspx or talk with your academic advisor.
• Items that are critical are marked with a ✳️ and are included in the plan for a student to stay on track.

Potential Entry Level Job Titles:

• Laboratory Technician

Potential Entry Level Salary Range:

$30,000 - $60,000

2 Year Plan of Study - Physical Sciences B.A.

NOTES:

• SCIV - Civics Literacy  needs to be completed prior to graduation. For more information, see https://www.usf.edu/undergrad/students/civics-literacy.aspx or talk with your academic advisor.
• Items that are critical are marked with a ✳️ and are included in the plan for a student to stay on track.