2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog
Physics, B.S.
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 Return to: Academic Majors and Degrees
To receive a B.S. in Physics from Millikin University, a student must complete at least 41 hours in approved courses, where 32 hours will be a core set of physics courses, and the remaining 9+ hours must be at the 300 level or higher. The courses may or may not be in physics, but they must be agreed upon jointly between the student and the advisor before the end of the student’s junior year. Regardless of the departments from which the courses come, the chosen courses should reflect the academic rigor and emphasis on analytical thinking present in advanced physics courses.
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Total: 32
Traditionally, a student will take PY 151 /PY 171 and PY 152 /PY 172 , along with MA 140 and MA 240 (Calculus I and II) as a freshman. PY 253 , PY 262 , PY 351, PY 403 , PY 406 , and other advanced Physics courses will be offered every other year, in general, so when students take those courses will depend on when they enter the program. For example, a student entering in Fall 2018 would take PY 253 (and probably PY 325 - Mathematical Physics ) in their sophomore year, PY 262 , PY 403 , and often PY 362 and PY 404 in their junior year, and then PY 352 and PY 406 in their senior year. All Physics majors are required to perform at least one semester of independent research as a senior, usually during the spring. A student also has the option of doing a more extensive project (which would cover both semesters) for more .
The following Mathematics and Chemistry courses (or their equivalent) are also required:
Total: 23
It is also highly recommended that Physics majors take at least one course in Biology.
Individualized Component
From this point on, the students will have a choice about how to complete their major. In consultation with their advisor, they will choose at least 9 additional hours (which is traditionally three courses), at the 300 level or higher, which best fit the student’s career goals. Some examples are given below: Graduate School in Physics
A student wishing to attend graduate school in Physics would choose at least three (probably more) of the following courses: In addition, the student would most likely take:
Note:
Many Physics majors who attend graduate school in Physics also major in Mathematics, which would require additional Math courses.
Pre-medicine
A student wishing to attend medical school to pursue a career in medicine or in medical Physics, could take the following courses, in addition to any prerequisites: Note:
The specific set of courses needed for graduate school in the health professions will differ, depending on which field is of interest. These courses should be coordinated between the student, their academic advisor, and the pre-professional advisor.
Business/Consulting
A student wishing to go into business or pursue a career in consulting or finance (this is a somewhat popular option for students with graduate degrees in Physics), could choose from the following courses:
Note:
Students whose interests lie both outside as well as inside physics should consult with the Department Chair concerning double major or minor requirements.
Pre-Engineering Programs
In addition to offering a major in physics, the physics department also coordinates a dual-degree pre-engineering program, where a student would receive two degrees for five (or more) years of education - one from Millikin (usually in Physics) and one from Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) or the University of Missouri, Kansas City (UMKC) in a chosen field of engineering. Students desiring to complete a dual-degree engineering program should complete (at least) PY 151 /PY 171 and PY 152 /PY 172 , MA 140 , MA 240 , MA 340 , MA 305 , and CH 121 , CH 224, CH 151 , and CH 152 , in addition to a number of courses in the humanities and social sciences. These courses are also required for students desiring to transfer to an engineering program after two years of study at Millikin. Consult Dr. Casey Watson, director of pre-engineering programs, for further details. Students wishing to pursue a career in medicine or other health professions can also major in physics and follow a program developed jointly with the physics department as well as the director of pre-professional studies, Dr. JuYeon Lee.
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