Bachelors Degree Program Requirements

Many of the required courses in physics are sequential. If you are contemplating a career in physics, you should try to reach a decision as early as possible in order to take full advantage of early advising and education.

BS in Physics

Prerequisites
Students who wish to concentrate in physics must complete Mathematics through Math 216 or the equivalent (Differential Equations). The recommended sequence for beginning physics is Physics 140/141 and 240/241 (or 160/141 and 260/241). This sequence is followed by Physics 340/341, which may be elected concurrently with Physics 401 or 405 or any intermediate laboratory course. Physics 340/341, however, is a prerequisite to all other intermediate courses.

The student must complete at least 30 credits in Physics numbered 390 and above. A concentration plan must include the following:

1. Physics 390, 401, 405, 406, 453, and 465. Physics 401 and 405 should precede Physics 453. Physics 453 is a prerequisite to most courses numbered above 453.
2. Physics 441 and 442 (Advanced Laboratory).
3. Two courses from among the following: Physics 402, 411, 413, 417, 435, 452, 455, 457, 460, and 463.
4. Physics 451.

Physics 390, 401, 405, 406, and 453 must be completed with a minimum grade of C- in each course and a cumulative average of C or higher.

Physics 419, 420, 481, and 489 are not acceptable for a BS in Physics.

Honors Concentration in Physics

Students who have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.2 are encouraged to elect an honors concentration in physics. In addition to the regular departmental requirements for a physics concentration, candidates for an honors concentration must elect six credits of physics from courses numbered 401 and above which are not otherwise required. They must also complete a senior honors thesis based on research (Physics 498/499) done under the supervision of a faculty member.

AB or BS in General Physics

This degree program is designed to accommodate the physics concentrator who wants to have the opportunity to double-concentrate or to acquire a broader general education. The General Physics program requires six fewer credit hours in physics and offers a wider range of electives than does the BS in Physics program.

Prerequisites
Mathematics through Math 216 (or the equivalent); Physics 140/141 and 240/241 or Physics 125/127 and 126/128, or 160/141 and 260/241; and Physics 340/341.

The General Physics program requires at least 30 credits, including at least 24 in physics courses numbered 390 and above. A concentration plan must include the following:

1. Physics 390, 401, 405, 406, and 453. Physics 401 and 405 should precede Physics 453. Physics 453 is a prerequisite to most courses numbered above 453.
2. Physics 451 or the equivalent.
3. Six credits from among the following list of courses: Physics 402, 411, 413, 419, 435, 452, 455, 457, 460, 463, and 489.
4. Cognates: Six credits of courses from one cognate department, selected in consultation with and approved by the concentration advisor.

Physics 390, 401, 405, 406, and 453 must be completed with a minimum grade of C- in each course and a cumulative average of C or higher.

Honors Concentration in General Physics

BS in Biophysics

May be elected as an interdepartmental concentration program

Biophysics is a highly interdisciplinary field that attempts to bridge the gap between biology and physics. The bridging of the two sciences can be either experimental (e.g., applying novel spectroscopies or microscopies to important problems in molecular or cellular biology) or the theoretical (e.g., applying soft condensed matter theories of mechanical, phase transition, or thermodynamic properties to biological membranes or complexity theory to understanding biological self-organization). Often in biophysics, both experimental and theoretical work is done in the same group. In the Department of Physics at the University of Michigan, a number of physics faculty devote all or much of their efforts to biophysics.

The undergraduate curriculum in Biophysics is designed for students who wish to prepare themselves for work in the application of the concepts and quantitative methods of the physics sciences to the study of biological structure and function.

Prerequisites
Biology 162; Chemistry through 210, 211, 215, and 216; Mathematics 115, 116, 215, and 216; and Physics 140/141 and 240/241 (or 160/141 and 260/241).

The Concentration Program must include:

1. Biology 305 or the equivalent; Biology 310 or 311 or Biological Chemistry 415 or Chemistry 451; and one additional 400-level biology course.
2. One 400-level mathematics course. Recommended courses include Mathematics 404, 412, 417, 425, 454, 463 or Physics 451.
3. Chemistry 241, 242, and 260.
4. Physics 340, 390, 401, 405, 406 (or Chemistry 463), 417 (offered in Winter Terms, even-numbered years), either 402 or 413, and Physics 453 or Chemistry 461.

Academic Physics Minor

An academic minor in physics is not open to students with any concentration in the Department of Physics. Students wishing to pursue an academic minor in Physics must develop a specific plan for its completion in consultation with the department's designated advisor. Appointments are scheduled through the department's Student Services Office in 2464 Randall Lab or by calling (734) 764.5539.

Prerequisites
Mathematics through differential equations: Math 216 or its equivalent.

Academic Minor Program: 18 credits of courses as follows:

1. A two-term introductory sequence: either Physics 140/141 and 240/241, or Physics 125/127 and 126/128 or Physics 160/141 and 260/241.
2. Physics 340, 341, and 390.

Advanced Placement Credit and the Physics Minor

Although it is possible to receive credit for PHYSICS 125/126/127/128 or PHYSICS 140/141/240/241 by scoring well on the Advanced Placement (AP) B or C Physics Exams, LS&A policy does not allow those AP credits to be counted toward the minimum credits required for an academic minor. To qualify for the minor, students with AP exam credit must complete additional eligible courses within the Physics department for a total of at least 15 PHYSICS course credits. Eligible courses include PHYSICS 333 and 334 (Tutoring of PHYSICS 140 and 240), and PHYSICS 401. Other 400-level PHYSICS courses may also be used, subject to approval by a concentration advisor.

Teaching Certificate in Physics

A teaching certificate with a major in physics requires 30 credits of physics; a minor requires 20. These credits must include Physics 125/127 and 126/128, or Physics 140/141 and 240/241; and Physics 340. The remainder of the program consists of courses numbered 390 or above or the equivalent.