Physics 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 .

Progression Requirements - College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)

All students in the below listed programs must successfully complete the below science and math coursework without earning three (3) D and/or F grades. Students unable to successfully complete these courses within these prescribed parameters will be required to select a different major and will not be permitted to take any additional courses offered by the below Departments/Divisions. In addition, registration for all courses offered by these departments will be dependent on students meeting the prescribed parameters regardless of their major. Grade Forgiveness will NOT apply to the mandated requirement of changing majors.

Included Departments/Divisions:

• Effective Fall 2022: Department of Physics* and all other Departments/Divisions continued from Fall 2018.
• Effective Fall 2018: Division of Health Professions Advising; Department of Chemistry; Department of Molecular Biosciences; and Department of Integrative Biology.

Furthermore, any student who requests a change of major to one offered in the above identified departments will be required to meet these prescribed parameters as well as those criteria outlined in the Degree Progression Policy 10-505. Students who are able to complete a major in one of the above Departments/Divisions by earning fewer credit hours than required to complete any other major offered at USF may petition to request an exception to the CAS Sciences D/F Policy and should contact the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics Advising Office (sdfx@usf.edu) for instructions.

*Students who are redirected from one of the above Departments/Divisions as a result of the CAS Sciences D/F Policy may pursue the following degrees offered by the Department of Physics: B.S. Physical Sciences and B.A. Physical Sciences.

Included courses:

• Biology:  BSC 2010 ; BSC 2011 ; BSC 2085 ; BSC 2086 ; BSC 2093C ; BSC 2094C ; BSC 2932 ; MCB 3020 ; PCB 3023 ; PCB 3063 .
• Chemistry:  BCH 3053 ; CHM 2023 ; CHM 2045 ; CHM 2046 ; CHM 2210 ; CHM 2211 ; CHS 2440 .
• Mathematics & Statistics:   MAT 1033 ; MAC 1105 ; MAC 1147 ; MAC 2241 ; MAC 2242 ; MAC 2281 ; MAC 2282 ; MAC 2311 ; MAC 2312 ; STA 2023 .
• Physics:   PHY 2053 ; PHY 2054 ; PHY 2048 ; PHY 2049 ; PHY 2060 ; PHY 2061 ; PHY 3101 ; PHZ 3113 .

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.
  • The College may approve an exception when a student has successfully earned the minimum grade required for all courses applied in the major but does not have a major GPA of 2.0.
• 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.
• 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.

Required Courses: (53 credit hours)

State Mandated Common Course Prerequisites - Physics B.A. (28 credit hours)

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 X045 AND CHM X045L) OR (CHM X040 AND CHM X041) - 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) - 8 credit hours

State Mathematics Pathway – Physics B.A. (8 Credit Hours)*

The Physics B.A. uses the Algebra through Calculus Mathematics Pathway with the following requirements:

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

• OR MAC 2311 - Calculus I  Credit(s): 4

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

• OR MAC 2312 - Calculus II  Credit(s): 4

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  * Mathematics Pathway courses count towards the State Common Prerequisite math courses and are not additional credits.

Major Core Courses: 8 courses; 23 credit hours

• PHY 3101 - Modern Physics Credit(s): 3
• PHY 3822L - Intermediate Laboratory Credit(s): 3
• PHY 3220 - Classical Mechanics Credit(s): 4
• PHY 3323 - Electricity and Magnetism I Credit(s): 3
• PHY 4823L - Advanced Laboratory Credit(s): 3 *
• PHY 4930 - Undergraduate Seminar Credit(s): 1
• PHY 4604 - Introduction to Quantum Mechanics Credit(s): 3
• PHZ 3113 - Mathematical Methods in Physics Credit(s): 3

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  *AST 4721L - Astrophysics Laboratory  may substitute for PHY 4823L - Advanced Laboratory  with department approval. 

Major Elective Course: 1-2 course(s); 2 credit hours

Plus two (2) credit hours of Physics electives subject to approval of undergraduate advisor.

Additional information - Physics B.A.

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

Undergraduate Advising Information

The College of Arts & Sciences (CAS) Advising Team provides students with support to create timely graduation plans that will integrate both their academic and professional goals.  Each of our undergraduate programs has dedicated professional advisors with specialized knowledge and understanding of the major requirements, course offerings, undergraduate research, and career opportunities in their field.  Additionally, we have dedicated pre-health and prelaw advisors to help students prepare for admission to professional graduate programs.

CAS Academic Advisor Contact information can be found here: CAS Advisors

To schedule an advising appointment: Advising Appointments

Plans of Study - Physics B.A.

•  Physics B.A. - 2 Year Plan of Study 
•  Physics B.A. - 4 Year Plan of Study