Physics 4-Year Plan

The 4-Year Plan is a model for completing your BS in Physics degree in a timely manner. The plan below is one of several possible ways for you to complete the Physics degree. Your individualized plan may look different if you have already fulfilled some requirements. Check your Financial Aid as it may require additional term credits for full-time funding. You must complete all university and program requirements successfully to complete this degree (GPA, 120 credits, LASC, WI, residency).

  • Program: Bachelor of Science: Physics
  • Total Credits: 120
  • Catalog: 2025-2026
Bachelor of Science: Physics 4-Year Plan

The 4-Year Plan is a model for completing your BS in Physics degree in a timely manner. The plan below is one of several possible ways for you to complete the Physics degree. Your individualized plan may look different if you have already fulfilled some requirements. Check your Financial Aid as it may require additional term credits for full-time funding. You must complete all university and program requirements successfully to complete this degree (GPA, 120 credits, LASC, WI, residency).

First Year

Curriculum Course Course Title Credits
Fall (1st Fall)
Core Requirement: LASC Goal 31 PHYS 200 Physics with Calculus I and Lab 4
Related Requirement: MATH 260 Computer Calculus 1
Related Requirement: LASC Goal 42 MATH 261 Calculus I 4
First-Year Experience Course FYE 101 First Year Experience 1
LASC Goal 1B ENGL 101 English Composition 3
LASC Goal3     3
Total Credits: 16
Spring (1st Spring)
Core Requirement: PHYS 201 Physics with Calculus II and Lab 4
Related Requirement: MATH 260 Computer Calculus 1
Related Requirement: MATH 262 Calculus II 4
LASC Goal 1A COMM 100 Speech Communication 3
LASC Goal     4
Total Credits: 16

Notes:

  • 1 If a student cannot take calculus in the fall of their first year, please consult advisor or department chair about appropriate course(s) to take.
  • 2 ACT math scores or a mathematics placement exam is needed to decide whether a student should begin directly in calculus or a different math course.
  • 3 In considering electives, keep in mind all LASC and WI requirements must be fulfilled.

 

Second Year

Curriculum Course Course Title Credits
Fall (2nd Fall)
Core Requirement: PHYS 202 20th Century Physics 3
Core Requirement: PHYS 305 Experimental Physics I 3
Core Requirement: PHYS 315 Physics Seminar 1
Related Requirement: MATH 323 Multi-Variable & Vector Calculus 4
LASC Goal     3
Total Credits: 14
Spring (2nd Spring)
Core Requirement: PHYS 322 Elementary Modern Physics 3
Core Requirement: PHYS 350 Comp. Methods for Physical Science 3
Related Requirement: MATH 366 Differential Equations 3
Related Requirement: WI for major ENGL 387 Technical Report Writing 3
LASC Goal     3
Total Credits: 15

 

Third Year

Curriculum Course Course Title Credits
Fall 2023 (3rd Fall)
Core Requirement: PHYS 330 Intermediate Mechanics 4
Related Requirement:4 MATH 327 Intro to Linear Algebra 3
Physics Elective: PHYS ***   3
LASC Goal/WI     3
LASC Goal     3
Total Credits: 16
Spring (3rd Spring)
Electives: PHYS 370 Electromagnetic Theory 4
Core Requirement: WI 200-level or higher PHYS 306 Experimental Physics II 3
Core Requirement: PHYS 342 Intro to Research 1
Physics Elective: PHYS ***   2
LASC Goal     3
LASC Goal     3
Total Credits: 16

Notes:

  • 4 Recommended but not required.

 

Fourth

Curriculum Course Course Title Credits
Fall (4th Fall)
Core Requirement: PHYS 492 Senior Project 2
Core Requirement: PHYS 380 Thermodynamics 3
Physics Elective: PHYS ***   3
LASC Goal/WI     3
LASC Goal     3
Total Credits: 14
Spring (4th Spring)
Electives: PHYS 430 Quantum Mechanics 3
Electives: PHYS 315 Physics Seminar 1
General Elective/Minor Course:     3
General Elective/Minor Course:     3
General Elective/Minor Course:     3
Total Credits: 13

*Official degree requirements can only be found in the Minnesota State Moorhead Bulletin/Catalog. The information on this webpage is a high-level overview of the degree. Please refer to the bulletin for up-to-date requirements.

Bachelor of Science: Physics with Medical Physics Emphasis 4-Year Plan

The 4-Year Plan is a model for completing your BS in Physics with Medical Physics emphasis degree in a timely manner. The plan below is one of several possible ways for you to complete the Physics with Medical Physics emphasis degree. Your individualized plan may look different if you have already fulfilled some requirements. Check your Financial Aid as it may require additional term credits for full-time funding. You must complete all university and program requirements successfully to complete this degree (GPA, 120 credits, LASC, WI, residency).

First Year

Curriculum Course Course Title Credits
Fall (1st Fall)
Core Requirement: LASC Goal 34 PHYS 200 Physics with Calculus I and Lab 4
Related Requirement: LASC Goal 42 MATH 261 Calculus I 4
First-Year Experience Course FYE 101 First Year Experience 1
LASC Goal 1B ENGL 101 English Composition 3
LASC Goal3     3
Total Credits: 15
Spring (1st Spring)
Core Requirement: PHYS 201 Physics with Calculus II and Lab 4
Related Requirement: MATH 262 Calculus II 4
LASC Goal 1A COMM 100 Speech Communication 3
LASC Goal     3
Total Credits: 14

Notes:

  • 2 ACT math scores or a mathematics placement exam is needed to decide whether a student should begin directly in calculus or a different math course.
  • 3 In considering electives, keep in mind all LASC requirements as well as writing intensive requirements must be fulfilled.
  • 4 If a student cannot take calculus in the fall of their first year, please consult advisor or department chair about appropriate course(s) to take.

 

Second Year

Curriculum Course Course Title Credits
Fall (2nd Fall)
Core Requirement: PHYS 202 20th Century Physics 3
Core Requirement: PHYS 305 Experimental Physics I 3
Core Requirement: PHYS 315 Physics Seminar 1
Related Requirement: MATH 323 Multi-Variable & Vector Calculus 4
Recommended Elective: MATH 260 Computer Calculus 1
Emphasis Requirement: LASC Goal 3 CHEM 150 General Chemistry I w/Lab 4
Total Credits: 16
Spring (2nd Spring)
Core Requirement: PHYS 322 Elementary Modern Physics 3
Core Requirement: PHYS 350 Comp. Methods for Physical Science 3
Related Requirement: MATH 366 Differential Equations 3
Emphasis Requirement: CHEM 210 General Chemistry II w/Lab 4
LASC Goal     3
Total Credits: 16

 

Third Year

Curriculum Course Course Title Credits
Fall (3rd Fall)
Core Requirement: PHYS 330 Intermediate Mechanics 4
Recommended Elective:1 MATH 327 Intro to Linear Algebra 3
Emphasis Requirement: PHYS 312 Analog Electronics 3
LASC Goal/WI     3
LASC Goal     3
Total Credits: 16
Spring (3rd Spring)
Emphasis Requirement: PHYS 370 Electromagnetic Theory 4
Emphasis Requirement: PHYS 318 Biophysics & Medical Imaging 3
Core Requirement: WI 200-level or higher PHYS 306 Experimental Physics II 3
Core Requirement: PHYS 342 Intro to Research 1
LASC Goal     3
Total Credits: 14

Notes:

  • 1 Recommended but not required.

 

Fourth

Curriculum Course Course Title Credits
Fall (4th Fall)
Core Requirement: PHYS 492 Senior Project 2
Emphasis Requirement: PHYS 380 Thermodynamics 3
Elective:     3
Elective:     3
LASC Goal/WI     3
Total Credits: 14
Spring (4th Spring)
Recommended Elective:1 PHYS 430 Quantum Mechanics 3
Related Requirement: WI for major ENGL 387 Technical Report Writing 3
Recommended Elective:1 PHYS 325 Optics 3
LASC Goal     3
LASC Goal     3
Total Credits: 15

Notes:

  • 1 Recommended but not required.

*Official degree requirements can only be found in the Minnesota State Moorhead Bulletin/Catalog. The information on this webpage is a high-level overview of the degree. Please refer to the bulletin for up-to-date requirements.