2017-2018 USC Lancaster Bulletin (Archived Copy) [Archived Catalog]
Physics, B.S.
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Learning Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate an understanding of the physical phenomena and the use of scientific methods and theories.
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- Students will demonstrate their ability to communicate effectively through written reports, which exhibit their ability to comprehend, analyze, and interrogate critically.
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- Students will demonstrate their ability to communicate effectively through oral presentations, which exhibit their ability to comprehend, analyze, interrogate critically and present their work to others.
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- Students will demonstrate effective use of computers and other technology.
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Basic Degree Requirements for Bachelor of Science Degrees (120 Hours)
Note: Bachelor of Science degrees with majors in Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Economics, Geography, Geological Sciences, Interdisciplinary Studies, Mathematics, Physics, Psychology, Sociology or Statistics, and the Bachelor of Science in Chemistry with a major in Chemistry require 120 hours. All other Bachelor of Science degrees require a minimum of 128 hours.
- Carolina Core Plus General Education Requirements
- Major
- Cognate or Minor Requirements (optional for BSIS majors)
- Electives
1. Carolina Core Plus General Education Requirements
CMW: Carolina Core Effective, Engaged and Persuasive Communication: Writing (6 Hours)
- Must be passed with a grade of C or higher.
ARP: Carolina Core Analytical Reasoning and Problem-Solving (A Minimum of 12 Hours)
Specified or additional College of Arts and Sciences Requirement:
Bachelor of Science degrees require a minimum of 12 hours, as specified by the major program, to include:
SCI: Carolina Core Scientific Literacy (8 Hours)
Specified or additional College of Arts and Sciences Requirement:
- Two 4-credit hour laboratory science courses.
GFL: Carolina Core Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Communicate Effectively in More than One Language (0-9 Hours)
Specified or additional College of Arts and Sciences Requirement:
- Demonstration of proficiency in one foreign language equivalent to the minimal passing grade on the exit examination in the 122 course is required for all baccalaureate degrees. Students can demonstrate this proficiency by successfully completing Phase II of the Proficiency Test or by successfully completing the 122 course, including the exit exam administered as part of that course.
It is strongly recommended that students continuing the study of a foreign language begin college-level study of that language in their first semester and continue in that language until their particular foreign language requirement is completed.
GHS: Carolina Core Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Historical Thinking (6 Hours)
Specified or additional College of Arts and Sciences Requirement:
- One Carolina Core GHS-approved course primarily focused on U.S. History: HIST 111, 112, 214, or another GHS approved course determined by the College of Arts and Sciences to fit this geographic category and
- One Carolina Core GHS-approved course primarily focused on non-U.S. History: HIST 101, 102, 104, 105, 106, 108, 109, GERM 280, FAMS 300, or another GHS-approved course determined by the College of Arts and Sciences to fit this geographic category.
GSS: Carolina Core Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Social Sciences (6 Hours)
Specified or additional College of Arts and Sciences Requirement:
AIU: Carolina Core Aesthetic and Interpretive Understanding (3 Hours)
Carolina Core Stand Alone or Overlay Eligible Requirements:
- Up to two of these requirements may be met in overlay courses. At least one of these requirements must be satisfied by a course not applied elsewhere in general education. (3-9 hours)
CMS: Carolina Core Effective, Engaged, and Persuasive Communication: Speech (3 Hours)
INF: Carolina Core Information Literacy (0-3 Hours)
VSR: Carolina Core Values, Ethics, and Social Responsibility (3 Hours)
Other Required General Education Courses for the College of Arts and Sciences
Fine Arts and Humanities Requirements (3 Hours)
- Bachelor of Science degrees require 3 Hours in the fine arts. (May be taken as Carolina Core Aesthetic and Interpretive Understanding.)
- Bachelor of Science degrees require an additional 3 Hours in the fine arts or humanities.
Major Prerequisites
The following courses fulfill some of the general education requirements and some cognates and must be completed with a grade of “C” or higher for a B.S. degree in physics:
Transfer Requirements
In addition to the minimum University and College of Arts and Sciences requirements, a student seeking to transfer to the physics major from another program within the University, or from another accredited college or university, is required to have earned a grade of “C” or higher in MATH 141.
Note: An AP or IB exam score that provides credit for MATH 141 also satisfies this requirement.
Major Requirements
All major courses must be completed with a grade of “C” or higher.
Required Intermediate Courses (7 hours)
- PHYS 307 - Introduction to Modern Physics
Either
- PHYS 308 - Classic Experiments in Physics I and
- PHYS 309 - Classic Experiments in Physics II
Or
- PHYS 310 - Intermediate Experimental Physics
Required Upper Division Courses (21 hours)
- PHYS 501 - Quantum Physics I
- PHYS 502 - Quantum Physics II
- PHYS 503 - Mechanics
- PHYS 504 - Electromagnetic Theory
- PHYS 506 - Thermal Physics and Statistical Mechanics
- PHYS 541 - Advanced Experimental Physics I
Experimental Physics Elective (4 Hours)
Experimental physics courses include but are not limited to:
Applied Major (Engineering Physics Concentration)
General Requirements
In order to select the Applied Major a student must have achieved a minimum overall GPA of 2.5 with at least 15 hours taken at USC-Columbia. In addition, the student must have passed MATH 141 with a grade of “C” or higher.
Note: An AP or IB exam score that provides credit for MATH 141 also satisfies this requirement.
Select one option from the following:
Electrical Option (52-53 hours)
Required Intermediate Physics Courses (10 hours)
- PHYS 307 - Introduction to Modern Physics
- PHYS 311 - Introduction to Applied Numerical Methods
Either
- PHYS 308 - Classic Experiments in Physics I and
- PHYS 309 - Classic Experiments in Physics II
Or
- PHYS 310 - Intermediate Experimental Physics
Required Upper Division Physics Courses (18 hours)
- PHYS 501 - Quantum Physics I
- PHYS 503 - Mechanics
- PHYS 504 - Electromagnetic Theory
- PHYS 506 - Thermal Physics and Statistical Mechanics
- PHYS 541 - Advanced Experimental Physics I
Physics Elective (3- 4 hours)
Select one courses from the following:
- PHYS 502 - Quantum Physics II
- PHYS 509 - Solid State Electronics
- PHYS 511 - Nuclear Physics
- PHYS 512 - Solid State Physics
- PHYS 514 - Optics, Theory, and Applications
- PHYS 521 - Biophysics
- PHYS 542 - Advanced Experimental Physics II
Electrical Engineering (18 Hours)
Computer Science (3 Hours)
Mechanical Option (52-54 hours)
Required Intermediate Physics Courses (10 hours)
- PHYS 307 - Introduction to Modern Physics
- PHYS 311 - Introduction to Applied Numerical Methods
Either
- PHYS 308 - Classic Experiments in Physics I and
- PHYS 309 - Classic Experiments in Physics II
Or
- PHYS 310 - Intermediate Experimental Physics
Required Upper Division Physics Courses (15 hours)
- PHYS 501 - Quantum Physics I
- PHYS 503 - Mechanics
- PHYS 504 - Electromagnetic Theory
- PHYS 541 - Advanced Experimental Physics I
Physics Electives (6-8 hours)
Select two courses from the following:
Mechanical Engineering (21 Hours)
3. Cognates
The required mathematics courses satisfy the cognate requirement.
4. Electives for B.S. Degrees
No courses of a remedial, developmental, skill-acquiring, or vocational nature may apply as credit toward degrees in the College of Arts and Sciences. The College of Arts and Sciences allows the use of the Pass-Fail option on elective courses. Further clarification of inapplicable courses can be obtained from the College of Arts and Sciences.
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