2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
    Nov 21, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Physics, BS


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The physics major at Longwood provides fundamental training in several areas of physics so that graduates may pursue graduate study or careers in research, industry, teaching, or engineering. Those who wish to major in physics may choose from the following options:

  1. traditional physics major for students interested in preparation for graduate work or careers in research, industry, or teaching.
  2. biophysics concentration for students interested in preparation for medical school or graduate work in biophysics.
  3. cooperative engineering for students interested in engineering programs with other universities.
  4. teacher preparation for students interested in preparation for a career in secondary education.
  5. engineering physics for students interested in preparation for graduate work in engineering or engineering careers in industry or research.

Courses in physics, mathematics, and chemistry are required for all physics majors. Many physics majors elect to double major in both physics and some other discipline. Also, a student majoring in another field may choose to minor in physics. The minor program requires 20 credits in physics. No grade below C- in physics courses (or substituted courses used to fulfill physics course requirements) is accepted for the major or minor in physics.

Students may take a maximum of four credits total in Internship (Biology/Chemistry/PHYS 292, PHYS 392, PHYS 492) and Research (Biology/Chemistry/PHYS 496) courses for quality points (A, B, C, and D grades). Beyond four credits, such courses must be taken on a Pass/Fail basis.

A student may seek a secondary teaching endorsement in physics. This concentration consists of courses required for a physics major and additional courses in BIOL, EASC, EDUC, SCED, and SPED. Interested students should meet with the Secondary Science Education Program Coordinator for advising on preparation for secondary science teaching.

Civitae Core Requirements (39-40 credits)


  

Physics majors may count Civitae Core courses satisfying major requirements as also satisfying their respective Civitae Core requirements, up to two Pillar courses and one Perspectives course.  (Students pursuing Virginia teaching licensure are not restricted as to the number of courses.)  The following major requirements can be used to satisfy Civitae Core requirements:

  • CHEM 111  satisfies the Scientific Reasoning Pillar requirement
  • Students without advanced math credit are strongly encouraged to take MATH 164  as the Quantitative Reasoning Pillar requirement, as it is a prerequisite for MATH 261  
  • EDUC 245  satisfies the Human Behavior and Social Institutions Pillar requirement for Teacher Preparation Concentration in Physics
  • EASC 300  satisfies the Scientific Reasoning Perspective requirement for Teacher Preparation Concentration in Physics

Courses satisfying major requirements that are designated as Core courses subsequent to the print deadline of this Catalog will not appear in the above listings but will be eligible to also satisfy Core requirements, subject to the same rules as the others.  (If doing so would otherwise decrease the total credits required for the degree below 120, General Elective credit must be substituted to restore the total.)  

Additional Degree Requirements


Major Requirements (39 credits + 3 credits in Civitae)


All Physics majors, regardless of concentration, must take the following courses:

General Electives


General Electives for Biophysics Concentration: 0 credits

General Electives for Cooperative Engineering Concentration: 19-21 credits

General Electives for Engineering Physics Concentration: 5-7 credits

General Electives for General Physics Concentration: 24-25 credits

General Electives for Teacher Preparation in Physics Concentration: 3 credits

Total Credits Required BS


Biophysics Concentration: 121-122 credits

Cooperative Engineering Concentration: 120 credits

Engineering Physics Concentration: 120 credits

General Physics Concentration: 120 credits

Teacher Preparation in Physics Concentration: 126-127 credits

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