Physics Programs
Applied Physics Major, with Alternate Concentration
The program in physics is designed to familiarize students with the techniques of mathematical and experimental physics that would be useful to them in an industrial research or engineering position; in physics teaching; as a general preparation for more advanced graduate work in any of the varied fields of physics; or in such disciplines as astronomy, space science, biophysics, computer science, engineering, geophysics, medicine, law, and oceanography.
Upon successful completion of the undergraduate program, students receive a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in physics. Students are then prepared to enter graduate school or pursue employment in one of the many physics-related occupations.
To major in physics, 46 semester hours of specific physics courses, 16 semester hours of specific mathematics courses, and four semester hours of specific chemistry or biology courses are required. To strengthen and broaden the background of all Xavier students, a liberal arts core curriculum consisting of courses in history, literature, foreign language, philosophy, social sciences, fine arts, and theology is also a part of the program.
Freshman Year
| First Semester | Semester Hours | Second Semester | Semester Hours |
| PHYSICS 170 University Physics I |
3 | PHYSICS 172 University Physics II |
3 |
| PHYSICS 171 Explorations in Physics |
1 | PHYSICS 173 Explorations in Physics II |
1 |
|
MATH 170 |
4 | MATH 171 Calculus II |
4 |
| PHILOSOPHY 100 Ethics |
3 |
Computer Science (CSCI) |
3 |
| FOREIGN LANGUAGE Elective |
3 |
FOREIGN LANGUAGE |
3 |
| ENGLISH 101 or 115 English Composition or Rhetoric |
3 | ||
| Total | 14 | Total | 17 |
Sophomore Year
| First Semester | Semester Hours | Second Semester | Semester Hours |
| PHYSICS 242 Electronics I |
3 | PHYSICS 340 Modern Physics II |
3 |
| PHYSICS 243 Electronics I Lab |
1 | PHYSICS 341 Modern Physics II Lab |
1 |
| PHYSICS 330 Modern Physics I |
3 |
MATH 230 |
3 |
| PHYSICS 331 Modern Physics I Lab |
1 | PHILOSPHY 290 Theory of Knowledge |
3 |
| MATH 220 Calculus III |
4 | FINE ARTS Elective |
3 |
| THEOLOGY 111 Theological Foundations |
3 | CULTURAL DIVERSITY Elective |
1 |
| HISTORY Elective I |
3 |
HISTORY |
3 |
| Total | 18 | Total | 17 |
Junior Year
| First Semester | Semester Hours | Second Semester | Semester Hours |
|
PHYSICS 350 |
3 | LITERATURE Elective |
3 |
| PHYSICS 360 Electromagnetism I |
3 | THEOLOGY Scrip/Hist or Christ Sys Elective |
3 |
| PHYSICS 355 Advanced Physics Lab |
2 | PROGRAM ELECTIVES* | 6 |
| PROGRAM ELECTIVES* | 6 |
SOCIAL SCIENCE |
3 |
| Total | 14 | Total | 15 |
Senior Year
| First Semester | Semester Hours | Second Semester | Semester Hours |
| PHYSICS 395 Physics Research |
1 | PHYSICS 364 Physical Optics |
3 |
| PHILOSOPHY Elective |
3 | PHYSICS 365 Physical Optics Lab |
1 |
| SOCIAL SCIENCE Elective |
3 | PHYSICS 398 Physics Thesis |
1 |
| ENGL 205 Lit & Moral Imagination |
3 | PROGRAM ELECTIVE* | 6 |
| PROGRAM ELECTIVE* | 6 | THEOLOGY Ethics or Rel/Cult Elective |
3 |
| E/RS Focus Elective |
3 | ||
| Total | 16 | Total | 17 |
Program electives will depend on the student's choice of concentration. Specific block schedules are determined in consultation with the chair. If the concentration is in a non-science area, then three credit hours in a second science should be taken in place of the program elective.