To receive a B.A. or B.S. in Physics from Millikin University, you must complete at least 36 hours in approved courses, where 27 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 you and your academic advisor before the end of your junior year. Regardless of the departments where the courses come from, whichever courses you choose should reflect the academic rigor and emphasis on analytical thinking present in advanced physics courses.
Plan of Study (Entering in an odd year)
Plan of Study (Entering in an even year)
Required Courses
All Physics majors will take the following core courses:
|
Course Name
|
Course Number
|
Number of Hours
|
|
University Physics I
|
PY 151
|
4
|
|
University Physics II
|
PY 152
|
4
|
|
Modern Physics
|
PY 253
|
4
|
|
Experimental Physics I
|
PY 262
|
4
|
|
Analytical Mechanics
|
PY 352
|
3
|
|
Electromagnetism I
|
PY 403
|
3
|
|
Quantum Mechanics
|
PY 406
|
3
|
|
Senior Research
|
PY 482
|
2
|
|
|
Total
|
27
|
Traditionally, you will take PY 151 and 152 as a freshman and PY 253 and 262 as a sophomore. PY 352, 403, 406, and other advanced Physics courses will be offered every other year, in general, so when you take those courses will depend on when they enter the program. All Physics majors are required to perform at least one semester of independent research as a senior, during the spring. You also have the option of doing a more extensive project (which would cover both semesters) for more credit.
The following Mathematics and Chemistry courses (or their equivalent) are also required:
|
Course Name
|
Course Number
|
Number of Hours
|
|
Calculus I
|
MA 140
|
4
|
|
Calculus II
|
MA 240
|
4
|
|
Calculus III
|
MA 250
|
4
|
|
Differential Equations
|
MA 305
|
3
|
|
General Chemistry
|
CH 121
|
3
|
|
Intro Chemistry Lab I
|
CH 151
|
1
|
|
General Inorganic Chem.
|
CH 224
|
3
|
|
Intro Chemistry Lab II
|
CH 152
|
1
|
|
|
Total
|
23
|
It is also highly recommended that you take at least one course in Biology.
Individualized Component
From this point on, you will have a choice of how to complete your major. In consultation with your academic advisor, you will choose at least 9 additional hours (which is traditionally three courses), at the 300 level or higher, which best fit your career goals. Some examples are given below:
1. Graduate School in Physics
If you want to attend graduate school in Physics, you would choose at least three (probably more) of the following courses:
|
Course Name
|
Course Number
|
Number of Hours
|
|
Physical Chemistry I/Lab
|
PY 303/CH 351
|
3/4
|
|
Physical Chemistry II/Lab
|
PY 304/CH 353
|
3/4
|
|
Experimental Physics II
|
PY 362
|
3
|
|
Mathematical Physics
|
PY 401
|
3
|
|
Electromagnetism II
|
PY 404
|
3
|
In addition, you would most likely take:
|
Course Name
|
Course Number
|
Number of Hours
|
|
Linear Algebra
|
MA 303
|
3
|
|
Numerical Analysis
|
MA 313
|
3
|
Many Physics majors who attend graduate school in Physics also major in Mathematics, which would require additional Math courses.
2. Pre-medicine
If you wish to attend medical school, to pursue a career in medicine or in medical Physics, you could take the following courses, in addition to any prerequisites:
|
Course Name
|
Course Number
|
Number of Hours
|
|
Genetics w/Lab
|
BI 300/350
|
4
|
|
Molecular and Cellular Biology w/Lab
|
BI 305/355
|
4
|
|
Biochemistry
|
CH 331
|
3
|
|
Comparative Anatomy
|
BI 301
|
5
|
|
Histology
|
BI 302
|
4
|
|
Molecular Genetics
|
BI 407
|
4
|
|
Advanced Cell Biology
|
BI 413
|
3
|
The specific set of courses needed for graduate school in the health professions will differ, depending on which field you're interested in. You will coordinate your schedule with both your academic advisor and the pre-professional advisor.
3. Business/Consulting
If you wish 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), you could choose from the following courses:
|
Course Name
|
Course Number
|
Number of Hours
|
|
Principles of Management
|
MG 300
|
3
|
|
Financial Markets and Institutions
|
FI 301
|
4
|
|
Investments
|
FI 352
|
3
|
|
International Trade and Finance
|
FI 354
|
3
|
|
Corporate Finance
|
FI 364
|
3
|
|
Marketing Principles and Practices
|
MK 300
|
3
|
|
Marketing Research
|
MK 320
|
3
|