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Why Adrian?

Whatever your background, Adrian College can provide you with the skills and experience you need to realize your dreams.

Undergraduate Studies

We offer an undergraduate program of study that’s small enough to be personal

Graduate Studies

Pursuing your dream career starts with the next phase of your education. When you enroll in graduate school at Adrian College, you’re beginning more than advanced training in your field; you’re accelerating your professional journey.

Physics Courses & Curriculum

Our department offers Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in Physics. We also offer a minor in Physics and an Associate of Arts degree in Physics for students interested in exploring physics beyond the introductory level.

4-year Degree Plan B.A. in Physics
4-year Degree Plan B.A. in Physics-Astronomy track
4-year Degree Plan B.S. in Physics
4-year Degree Plan B.S. in Physics-Astronomy track

Bachelor of Arts in Physics (50 hours)

Physics B.A. Core (20 hours)

PHYS201 General Physics: Mechanics (3)
PHYS202 General Physics: Thermodynamics & Electromagnetism (3)
PHYS203 Mechanics Laboratory (1)
PHYS204 Thermodynamics & Electromagnetism Laboratory (1)
PHYS301 Oscillations, Waves and Light (3)
PHYS303 Oscillations, Waves and Light Laboratory (1)
PHYS375 Quantum Physics (3)
PHYS385 20th Century Physics (3)
PHYS420 Capstone: Experimental Physics (2)

Physics B.A. Electives (12 hours)

Choose 12 hours from the following:

PHYS321 Electronics and Instrumentation (3)
PHYS350 Stellar Astrophysics (3)
PHYS355 Galaxies & Cosmology (3)
PHYS401 Classical Mechanics I (3)
PHYS402 Classical Mechanics II (3)
PHYS403 Electromagnetic Theory I (3)
PHYS404 Electromagnetic Theory II (3)
PHYS430 Topics in Physics (1-4)
PHYS450 Physics Research (1-3)
PHYS499 Experiment Course (1-3)

Physics B.A. Cognates (15 hours)

MATH135 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I (4)
MATH205 Calculus and Analytic Geometry II (4)
MATH215 Calculus and Analytic Geometry III (4)
MATH305 Differential Equations (3)

B.A. Cognate Electives (3 hours)

Complete at least 3 hours at the 300/400-level in any department outside of Biology, Chemistry & Biochemistry, Computer Science, ESS, Geology, Math, and Physics.

Bachelor of Arts in Physics - Astronomy Track (54 hours)

Physics Core (20 hours)

Astronomy Core (10 hours)

PHYS109 Introductory Astronomy (4)
PHYS305 Tools of Astronomy (3)
PHYS350 Stellar Astrophysics (3) OR
PHYS355 Galaxies & Cosmology (3)

Electives (6 hours)

Choose 6 hours from the following:

Physics B.A. Cognates (15 hours)

MATH135 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I (4)
MATH205 Calculus and Analytic Geometry II (4)
MATH215 Calculus and Analytic Geometry III (4)
MATH305 Differential Equations (3)

Cognate Electives (3 hours)

Complete at least 3 hours of any 300/400-level course in any department outside of Biology, Chemistry & Biochemistry, Computer Science, ESS, Geology, Math, and Physics.

Bachelor of Science in Physics (57 hours)

Physics B.S. Core (26 hours)

Physics B.S. Electives (6 hours)

Choose from 6 hours of the following:

PHYS321 Electronics and Instrumentation (3)
PHYS350 Stellar Astrophysics (3)
PHYS355 Galaxies & Cosmology (3)
PHYS402 Classical Mechanics II (3)
PHYS404 Electromagnetic Theory II (3)
PHYS430 Topics in Physics (1-4)
PHYS450 Physics Research (1-3)
PHYS499 Experiment Course (1-3)

Physics B.S. Cognates (18 hours)

CS103 Programming for Everyone I (3)
MATH 135 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I (4)
MATH 205 Calculus and Analytic Geometry II (4)
MATH 215 Calculus and Analytic Geometry III (4)
MATH 305 Differential Equations (3)

B.S. Cognate Electives (7 hours)

Complete 4 hours of a Biology, Chemistry & Biochemistry, Geology, or ESS laboratory course (lecture + lab).

Complete at least 3 hours at the 300/400-level in any department outside of Biology, Chemistry & Biochemistry, Computer Science, ESS, Geology, Math, and Physics.

Bachelor of Science in Physics - Astronomy Track (58 hours)

Physics Core (20 hours)

Astronomy Core (10 hours)

PHYS109 Introductory Astronomy (4)
PHYS305 Tools of Astronomy (3)
PHYS350 Stellar Astrophysics (3)
OR PHYS355 Galaxies & Cosmology (3)

Electives (6 hours)

Choose 6 hours from the following:

Physics B.S. Cognates (18 hours)

CS103 Programming for Everyone I (3)
MATH135 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I (4)
MATH205 Calculus and Analytic Geometry II (4)
MATH215 Calculus and Analytic Geometry III (4)
MATH305 Differential Equations (3)

Cognate Electives (4 hours)

Complete a 4-hour laboratory course (lecture & lab) from Biology, Chemistry & Biochemistry, ESS, or Geology.

Minor in Physics (20 hours)

Physics Minor Core (8 hours)

PHYS201 General Physics: Mechanics (3)
PHYS202 General Physics: Thermodynamics & Electromagnetism (3)
PHYS203 Mechanics Laboratory (1)
PHYS204 Thermodynamics & Electromagnetism Laboratory (1)

Physics Minor Electives (12 hours)

Choose at least 12 hours from the following 300-400 level courses:

PHYS301 Oscillations, Waves and Light (3)
PHYS303 Oscillations, Waves and Light Laboratory (1)
PHYS321 Electronics and Instrumentation (3)
PHYS350 Stellar Astrophysics (3)
PHYS355 Galaxies & Cosmology (3)
PHYS375 Quantum Physics (3)
PHYS385 20th Century Physics (3)
PHYS401 Classical Mechanics I (3)
PHYS402 Classical Mechanics II (3)
PHYS403 Electromagnetic Theory I (3)
PHYS404 Electromagnetic Theory II (3)
PHYS430 Topics in Physics (1-4)
PHYS499 Experiment Course (1-3)

Physics Minor Math Requirements (8 hours)

MATH135 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I (4)
MATH205 Calculus and Analytic Geometry II (4)

Minor in Astronomy (28-30 hours)

Astronomy Minor Core (18 hours)

PHYS109 Introductory Astronomy (4)
PHYS101 Introductory Physics I (3) OR
PHYS201 General Physics: Mechanics (3)
PHYS102 Introductory Physics II (3) OR
PHYS202 General Physics: Thermodynamics & Electromagnetism (3)
PHYS103 Introductory Physics Lab (1) OR
PHYS203 Mechanics Laboratory (1)
PHYS104 Introductory Physics II Lab (1) OR
PHYS204 Thermodynamics & Electromagnetism Laboratory (1)
PHYS305 Tools of Astronomy (3)

Plus one of the following:

PHYS350 Stellar Astrophysics (3)
PHYS355 Galaxies & Cosmology (3)

Astronomy Minor Cognate (2-4 hours)

At least 2 credits from BIOL, CHEM, CS, ESS, GEOL, MATH, or PHYS courses at the 300-level or above. The course must be approved by the Department of Physics.

Astronomy Minor Math Requirements (8 hours)

MATH135 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I (4)
MATH205 Calculus and Analytic Geometry II (4)

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