Chairperson: Professor Corwin
Professors: Almeida, Farahi, Leamy
Professors Emeritus: Pollak, Vermillion, Werntz
Associate Professors: Aktas, Mayes, Melton, Raja, Simpson
Associate Professor Emeritus: Oberhofer
Assistant Professors: Kilper, Moyer, Trammell
Adjunct Professors: Edwards, Splinter, Svenson

Undergraduate study in physics is designed for students who seek simply to better understand the physical universe, as well as for students who will seek employment in a technical field following graduation, continue professional study or teach science in the public schools. The Department offers programs leading to the Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Science degrees. Students who graduate with a bachelor's degree in physics may pursue graduate study in physics, engineering, or computer science or study in optometry or the medical field.

Physics students have special opportunities at UNC Charlotte. The Department of Physics is large enough to afford a variety of experiences for the students, but not so large that the student loses personal access to the faculty. Each student has the opportunity to work closely with individual faculty members of his/her choice, both in formal laboratory courses and on individual research projects.

Some upper-level undergraduates have the opportunity to assist faculty members in teaching introductory physics laboratories. This gives students practical training as well as an employment opportunity usually available only to graduate students.

BACHELOR OF ARTS

A major in physics leading to the B.A. degree consists of at least 27-semester-hours in physics with an average grade of C or better, including 8 hours in an introductory sequence of either PHYS 1101, 1102, 1101L, 1102L or PHYS 2101, 2102, 2101L, 2102L. The remaining 19 hours must include PHYS 2181, 3101, 3141, and 8 additional hours at the 3000-4000 level. PHYS 3000, 4000 and 4800 may be used to fulfill the 27 semester hour requirement only if approved for this purpose by the Undergraduate Studies Committee. Also required are CHEM 1251, 1251L, and ENGL 2116. MATH 1241, 1242, 2241, 2242, and 2171 are prerequisites for certain physics courses. Freshmen should complete MATH 1241 before the beginning of their second year.

BACHELOR OF ARTS: SECONDARY TEACHER LICENSURE OPTION

Students preparing to teach high school physics may become licensed by earning the B.A. Degree: Secondary Teacher Licensure Option. A major in physics with this option consists of a minimum of 120 semester hours which fulfill the general degree requirements of the University and which include at least 27 semester-hours in physics with an average grade of C or better. Of these 27 hours, 8 hours consist of an introductory sequence of either PHYS 1101, 1102, 1101L, 1102L or PHYS 2101, 2102, 2101L, 2102L. The remaining 19 hours must include, PHYS 2181, 3101, 3121, 3141, 3285, and at least 2 additional hours at the 3000-4000 level. PHYS 3000, 4000 and 4800 may be used to fulfill the 27 semester-hour requirement only if approved for this purpose by the Undergraduate Studies Committee. Also required are CHEM 1251, 1251L, ENGL 2116, and other courses specified by the Department of Middle, Secondary, and K-12 Education. MATH 1241, 1242, 2241, 2242, and 2171 are prerequisites for certain physics courses. Freshmen should complete MATH 1241 before the beginning of their second year.

A schedule to complete the Secondary Teacher Licensure Option within a 4-year period has little flexibility due to the large number of required courses and the specific mathematics prerequisites for certain required physics courses. The student should obtain a SUGGESTED SCHEDULE from the Physics Department, make arrangements for an adviser in the Department of Middle, Secondary, and K-12 Education, and obtain an up-to-date listing and schedule for required education courses. Licensure applications are the responsibility of the student and the Office of Student Academic Services in the College of Education.

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE

A major in physics leading to the B.S. degree consists of at least 36 semester hours in physics with an average grade of C or better, including 8 hours in an introductory sequence of PHYS 2101, 2102, 2101L, 2102L. Under special circumstances, and with the approval of the Undergraduate Studies Committee, PHYS 1101, 1102, 1101L, 1102L may be substituted for the PHYS 2101-2102 introductory sequence. The remaining 28 hours must include 2181, 3101, 3121, 3141, 3285, 4231; at least two hours selected from PHYS 3281, 4281, 4181, or 3900; and at least 6 additional hours at the 3000-4000 level. PHYS 3000, 4000, and 4800 may be used to fulfill the 36 semester-hour requirement only if approved for this purpose by the Undergraduate Studies Committee. Also required are CHEM 1251, 1251L; CSCI 1100P or 1201 and 1201L; and ENGL 2116. MATH 1241, 1242, 2241, 2242, and 2171 are prerequisites for certain physics courses. Freshmen should complete MATH 1241 before the beginning of their second year. Students who did not take physics in high school should consider taking PHYS 1101-1102 (with laboratories) before taking PHYS 2101. Students planning for graduate study in physics are strongly recommended to take more than the minimum 36 hours of physics and should include PHYS 4222, 4232, 4241, 4242 and MATH 2242.

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE: SECONDARY TEACHER LICENSURE OPTION

Students preparing to teach high school physics may become licensed by earning the B.S. Degree: Secondary Teacher Licensure Option. The student must (a) fulfill all requirements for the B.S. Degree and (b) complete the additional courses required by the College of Education. The student should make arrangements for an adviser in the Department of Middle, Secondary, and K-12 Education, and obtain an up-to-date listing and schedule for required education courses. It is generally not possible to complete this option within four years without attending summer sessions. Licensure applications are the responsibility of the student and the Office of Student Academic Services in the College of Education.

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE: APPLIED PHYSICS OPTION

A major in physics leading to the B.S. degree with the applied physics option requires a minimum of 30 semester hours in physics, eight semester hours in chemistry, nine semester hours of computer science, and 19 semester hours of engineering, with an average grade of C or better in all required courses. The 30 hours of required courses in physics are PHYS 2101, 2102, 2101L, 2102L, 2181, 3101, 3121, 3141, 3285, 4231, and either 3281, 4281, 4181, or 3900. The required courses in computer science are CSCI 1100P or 1201 and its laboratory, CSCI 2140 and 2141. The minimum engineering requirement consists of CEGR 2101, MEGR 3171, ESGR 2141, and 2144, EEGR 2161, and 2162, and MEET 3133. Students in this track are encouraged to select one of their free electives from PHYS 4271 and 4140. MATH 1241, 1242, 2241, 2242, 2171 and ENGL 2116 are prerequisite courses for some required physics courses.

PHYSICS MINOR

A minor in physics is available to all undergraduates except physics majors and requires a minimum of 17 hours of physics with an average grade of C or better. There are two options:

Option 1: PHYS 2101, 2102, 2101L, 2102L, 3141; and at least six additional hours in physics selected from PHYS 2181, 3000, 3101, 3121, 3151, 3281, 3285, 3900, 4000, 4140, 4241, 4222, 4231, 4232, 4242, 4271, 4281, and 4800.

Option 2: PHYS 1101, 1102, 1101L, 1102L, 3101, 3141; and at least three additional hours in physics selected from PHYS 2181, 3000, 3101, 3121, 3151, 3281, 3285, 3900, 4000, 4140, 4241, 4222, 4231, 4232, 4242,4271, 4281, and 4800.

HONORS PROGRAM IN PHYSICS

To obtain a degree with honors in physics, the student must successfully complete an honors section of PHYS 3900 and honors sections of at least two courses selected from PHYS 4222, 4232, and 4242. The student must formally enter the Honors Program no later than the beginning of the second semester of the junior year. The Honors Committee of the Physics Department must approve admission. Details concerning this program are available from the Physics Department.

COOPERATIVE EDUCATION PROGRAM

Students majoring in physics have an opportunity to combine work experience with their academic experience. The Cooperative Education Program is a plan whereby a student completes his/her lower division coursework, and, after being formally accepted as a co-op student, alternates periods of academic coursework with periods of paid employment in an area mutually agreed upon by the student, an employer and the University. This program enables the student to integrate classroom instruction with practical on-the-job experience with business, industry, government agencies, or other employers. A student electing this option should expect to graduate in five years, instead of the four years normally required. Further information regarding Cooperative Education can be found elsewhere in this Catalog. Information regarding the application procedure for admission into this program can be obtained from the Physics Department.

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