Physics Concentrations
Applied Physics/Natural Sciences
Xavier's Natural Sciences/Applied Physics program offers an alternative to the Natural Sciences major that allows students to study physics while preparing for medical school. This program may also be of interest to students who wish to pursue careers in biophysics, medical physics, radiological physics, and other health physics programs.
The Natural Sciences program combines courses in physics, mathematics, and computer science with the chemistry and biology courses needed to fulfill the requirements for the Natural Sciences minor.
For a recommended sequence of courses in the applied physics/alternate concentration, contact your departmental advisor.
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 |
| GENERAL BIOLOGY I Lecture |
3 | MATH 171 Calculus II |
4 |
| GENERAL BIOLOGY I Lab |
2 | GENERAL BIOLOGY II Lecture |
3 |
| THEOLOGY 111 Theological Foundations |
3 | GENERAL BIOLOGY II Lab |
2 |
| MATH 170 Calculus I |
4 | ENGLISH 101 or 115 English Composition or Rhetoric |
3 |
| Total | 16 | Total | 16 |
Sophomore Year
| First Semester | Semester Hours | Second Semester | Semester Hours |
| GENERAL CHEMISTRY I Lecture |
3 | PHYSICS 340 Modern Physics II |
3 |
| GENERAL CHEMISTRY I Lab |
1 | PHYSICS 331 Modern Physics II Lab |
1 |
| PHYSICS 330 Modern Physics I |
3 |
PHILOSPHY 100 |
3 |
| PHYSICS 331 Modern Physics I Lab |
1 | MATH 230 Differential Equations |
3 |
| MATH 220 Calculs III |
4 | GENERAL CHEMISTRY II Lecture |
3 |
| FOREIGN LANGUAGE Elective |
3 | GENERAL CHEMISTRY II Lab |
1 |
| CSCI Elective |
3 | FOREIGN LANGUAGE Elective |
2 |
| Total | 18 | Total | 18 |
Junior Year
| First Semester | Semester Hours | Second Semester | Semester Hours |
| PHYSICS 242 Electronics I |
3 | CHEMISTRY 240 Organic Chemistry II |
3 |
| PHYSICS 243 Electronics I Lab |
1 | CHEMISTRY 241 Organic Chemistry II Lab |
1 |
| PHYSICS 350 Theoretical Mechanics |
3 | PHILOSOPHY Theory of Knowledge |
3 |
| CHEMISTRY 240 Organic Chemistry I |
3 | LITERATURE Elective |
3 |
| CHEMISTRY 241 Organic Chemistry I Lab |
1 | THEOLOGY Scrip/Hist or Christ Sys Elective |
3 |
| FINE ARTS Elective |
3 | ENGLISH 205 Lit. & Moral Imagination |
3 |
| CULTURAL DIVERSITY Elective |
1 | ||
| Total | 15 | Total | 16 |
*Not required but strongly recommended for those who plan to attend graduate school.
Senior Year
| First Semester | Semester Hours | Second Semester | Semester Hours |
| PHYSICS 360 Electromagnetism I |
3 | PHYSICS 364 Physical Optics |
3 |
| PHYSICS 395 Physics Research |
1 | PHYSICS 365 Physical Optics Lab |
1 |
| PSYCHOLOGY 101 General Phychology |
3 | PHYSICS 398 Physics Thesis |
1 |
| HISTORY Elective I |
3 | HISTORY Elective II |
3 |
| PHILOSOPHY Elective |
3 | SOCIAL SCIENCE Elective |
3 |
| E/RS FOCUS Elective |
3 | ||
| THEOLOGY Ethics or Rel/Cult Elective |
3 | ||
| Total | 13 | Total | 17 |