Physics Programs
Physics Major
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 |
| PHILOSOPHY 100 Ethics as Intro. to Philosophy |
3 | MATH 171 Calculus II |
4 |
| FOREIGN LANGUAGE Elective |
3 | FOREIGN LANGUAGE Elective |
3 |
| MATH 170 Calculus I |
4 | ENGLISH 101 or 115 English Composition or Rhetoric |
3 |
| Computer Science (CSCI) Elective |
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 331 Modern Physics II Lab |
1 |
| PHYSICS 330 Modern Physics I |
3 |
PHILOSPHY 290 |
3 |
| PHYSICS 331 Modern Physics I Lab |
1 | MATH 230 Differential Equations |
3 |
| MATH 220 Calculus III |
4 | FINE ARTS Elective |
3 |
| THEOLOGY 111 Theological Foundations |
3 | HISTORY Elective II |
3 |
| HISTORY Elective I |
3 | CULTURAL DIVERSITY Elective |
1 |
| Total | 18 | Total | 17 |
Junior Year
| First Semester | Semester Hours | Second Semester | Semester Hours |
| PHYSICS 360 Electromagnetism I |
3 | PHYSICS 382 Thermodynamics |
3 |
| PHYSICS 350 Theoretical Mechanics |
3 | PHYSICS 364 Physical Optics |
3 |
| PHYSICS 355 Advanced Physics Lab |
2 | PHYSICS 365 Physical Optics Lab |
1 |
| MATH Elective |
3 | LITERATURE Elective |
1 |
| CHEMISTRY / BIOLOGY Elective + Lab |
4/5 | THEOLOGY Scrip/Hist or Christ Sys Elective |
3 |
| PHYSICS, MATH or CSCI Elective* | 3 | ||
| Total | 15/16 | Total | 16 |
Senior Year
| First Semester | Semester Hours | Second Semester | Semester Hours |
| PHYSICS 376 Quantum Mechanics I |
3 | PHYSICS 377 Quantum Mechanics II |
3 |
| PHYSICS 395 Physics Research |
1 | PHYSICS 398 Physics Thesis |
1 |
| PHYSICS Elective |
3 | PHYSICS Elective - Capstone |
3 |
| SOCIAL SCIENCE Elective |
3 | SOCIAL SCIENCE Elective |
3 |
| ENGLISH / CLAS / SPAN 205 Literature & the Moral Imagination |
3 | E/RS FOCUS Elective |
3 |
| PHILOSOPHY Elective |
3 | THEOLOGY Ethics or Rel/Cult Elective |
3 |
| Total | 16 | Total | 16 |