DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY (PH) (AY)

Professor Stanley T. Jones, Chairperson
Office: 206 Gallalee Hall

The Department of Physics and Astronomy offers major and minor programs in physics and a minor in astronomy.

Requirements for the physics major. There are four tracks leading to the B.S. degree in physics: the graduate school track, primarily for students considering graduate work in physics; the biophysics track, designed for students planning a career in one of the health professions; the astrophysics track, for students interested in astronomy or space science; and the physics education track, for students who want to teach in grades K–12.

All four tracks require the following core courses: PH 105, PH 106 (or, with permission of the department chair, PH 101, PH 102), PH 253, PH 255, PH 301 or PH 302, PH 331, CH 101, and CH 102 (or the equivalent). Additional course requirements for the different tracks are

• Graduate school track: PH 332, PH 441, PH 442, PH 471, PH 491 (or PH 493), plus 3 hours at the 300 or 400 levels in PH or AY
• Biophysics track: PH 254, PH 411, CH 231, CH 232, CH 237, BSC 114:115, BSC 116:117, plus 6 more hours in PH (above the 300 level), plus 3 more hours in chemistry
• Astrophysics track: PH 332, PH 441, PH 442, AY 203, AY 204, AY 206, plus 6 more hours in AY (above the 300 level)
• Physics education tack: PH 254, PH 405, PH 493, plus 4 more hours of PH (above the 300 level)

Physics major for engineering students. The Department of Physics and Astronomy has developed second-major curricula for most of the engineering departments. These curricula are designed to minimize duplication of subject matter. This combination of fundamental and applied physics can be highly advantageous when the graduate enters the job market. For more information, contact the Department of Physics and Astronomy.

Requirements for the physics minor. The minor in physics requires 18 hours of physics including 6 hours of physics courses numbered 300 or above. A minimum of 6 hours at the 300 or 400 level must be earned on this campus.

Requirements for the astronomy minor. The minor in astronomy (AY) requires 18 hours including AY 203, AY 204, AY 206, PH 253, PH 255, and 6 hours in astronomy courses at the 300 or 400 level. A minimum of 6 hours at the 300 or 400 level must be earned on this campus.

Honors program in physics. Requirements for the bachelor of science degree with honors in physics are 1) completion of the course requirements for the B.S. degree with a major in physics; 2) maintenance of a 3.3 grade point average in physics courses and a 3.0 GPA for all coursework; 3) submission of an acceptable honors thesis based on research conducted under the supervision of a faculty member in physics or astronomy; and 4) participation in the 1-hour senior-level honors physics seminar, PH 490. Students are invited to apply for admission to the honors program in physics on the basis of performance in introductory courses. Inquire at the Department of Physics and Astronomy office for further information.

A Suggested Sequence of Courses for the Physics Major
FRESHMAN YEAR
First Semester Course Hours MATH 125 4 EN 101 3 CH 101 4 General education course1 3–6 ___ 14–17		Second Semester Course Hours PH 105 4 MATH 126 4 EN 102 3 CH 102 4 ___ 15
SOPHOMORE YEAR
First Semester Course Hours PH 106 4 MATH 227 4 General education courses1 6–9 ___ 14–17		Second Semester Course Hours PH 253 3 PH 255 1 MATH 238 3 General education courses1 9 ___ 16
JUNIOR YEAR2
First Semester Course Hours PH 301 or PH 302 3 PH 331 3 Minor 3 General education courses1 6 ___ 15		Second Semester Course Hours PH track 3 PH track 3 Minor 3 General education courses1 3 Electives 3 ___ 15
SENIOR YEAR2
First Semester Course Hours PH track 3 PH track 3 Minor 6 Electives 3 ___ 15		Second Semester Course Hours PH track 3 PH or AY elective 3 Minor 6 Electives 3 ___ 15   Total: At least 120

Graduate programs. The Department of Physics and Astronomy offers programs leading to the master of science and doctor of philosophy degrees. The requirements for these degrees are stated in the University of Alabama graduate catalog. A student beginning graduate work leading to the M.S. or Ph.D. degree should have the equivalent of an undergraduate major in physics and an undergraduate minor in mathematics, including one intermediate course in each of the main fields of physics. Intermediate courses not included in the undergraduate program should be taken at the earliest possible time. A comprehensive background in general physics is considered as important as mastery of a specialized field.