Undergraduate Programs
Undergraduate Advisors:
Dr. Caroline Simpson and Dr. Pete Markowitz
Bachelor of Science
Degree Program Hours: 120
This program prepares students for careers as professional physicists in industry, government, or graduate study in physics, engineering, or material science. It also prepares students for teaching careers. Students interested in teacher certification should contact the College of Education.
Example course study schedules can be found on the department’s web page: http://physics.fiu.edu.
Lower Division Preparation |
Upper Division Program (60) |
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Required Courses CHM 1045General Chemistry I To qualify for admission to the program, FIU undergraduates must have met all the lower division requirements including CLAST, completed 60 semester hours, and must be otherwise acceptable into the program. |
PHY 3106, PHY 3107 Modern Physics |
6 3 |
Additional Required Courses (2) PHY 1033..........First-Year Physics Seminar 1 |
 |
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Bachelor of Science in Physics with Honors
The Honors program in Physics provides outstanding students with the opportunity to do original research with a faculty sponsor. To graduate with Honors, the student must carry out a research project, write up the project as an Honors Thesis, and present the research results in a departmental seminar.
To be admitted to the track, a student must:
- Be admitted to the BS Physics program with a lower division GPA of at least 3.5 in science and math courses and an overall GPA of at least 3.2.
- Have completed at least 12 hours of physics courses.
- Have arranged to be sponsored by a faculty researcher.
- Submit a letter to the Physics Department requesting permission to pursue the honors course of study.
- Completion of all requirements for the BS Physics degree with a minimum GPA of 3.5 in science and math courses and overall GPA of 3.2.
- Completion of honors research project in collaboration with a faculty advisor. The results of the research project must be written in the form of an honors thesis which is written in American Physical Society-style publication format. The faculty advisor and curriculum committee must judge the thesis as suitable in style and content.
- Submission of two completed and approved copies of the Honors Thesis must be presented to the Physics department office; one copy is to be kept in the department and the second copy is to be housed in the University library.
- The results of the research project must be presented orally to an audience of peers and faculty members in a departmental seminar.
Degree Program Hours: 120
This program prepares students interested in physics and planning to enter professional schools in business, education, journalism, law, and medicine, and for liberal arts students desiring a strong background in physical science but with career objectives in other areas. The flexible program offers the opportunity for parallel studies in another discipline and/or pre-professional preparation. Students wishing to pursue careers as professional physicists or graduate study in physics should seek the Bachelor of Science degree in physics.
Lower Division Preparation
Required Courses
Common PrerequisitesCHM 1045 General Chemistry I
CHM 1045L General Chemistry Lab I
CHM 1046 General Chemistry II
CHM 1046L General Chemistry Lab II
MAC 2311 Calculus I
MAC 2312 Calculus II
MAC 2313 Multivariable Calculus
PHY 2048 Physics with Calculus I
PHY 2048L Physics with Calculus Lab I
PHY 2049 Physics with Calculus II
PHY 2049L Physics with Calculus Lab IIPHY 3106 Modern Physics I
PHY 3106L Modern Physics Lab I
PHY 3107 Modern Physics II
PHY 3107L Modern Physics Lab II
PHY 3513 Thermodynamics
PHY 4134 Widely Applied Physics I
PHY 4135 Widely Applied Physics II
Approved Upper Division Electives
Electives
1
3
1
3
3
3
15
28This program prepares students interested in physics and planning to enter professional schools in medicine, biomedical engineering, and biomechanics as well as entry level biotechnology positions in industry and government. The flexible program offers the opportunity for parallel studies in another discipline. Students satisfying the degree requirements of this program will also have satisfied the course requirement for admission to medical schools. Interested students should consult the Pre-medical advisor at (305) 348-3084.
Common Prerequisites as Detailed Under the BA Degree
Additional Lower Division Courses (17)PHY 3106 Modern Physics I
PHY 3106L Modern Physics Lab I
PHY 3107 Modern Physics II
PHY 3107L Modern Physics Lab II
PHY 3513 Thermodynamics
PHY 4134 Widely Applied Physics I
PHY 4135 Widely Applied Physics II
PHY 4221 Mechanics I
PHY4905 Senior Physics Lab3
PHZ 4710 Introduction to Biophysics
Physics Electives
Electives in Biology and Chemistry
ElectivesPre-med students are strongly encouraged to take:
BCH 3033 General Biochemistry
BCH 3033L General Biochemistry Lab
or CHM 4304 Biological Chemistry I
CHM 4304L Biological Chemistry I Lab
PCB 3063 Genetics
PCB 3063 Genetics Lab
PCB 3702 Intermediate Human Physiology
PCB 3702L Intermediate Human Physiology Lab3
1
3
1
3
3
3
3
3
3
6
12
16
4
1
3
1
3
1
3
1
BSC 1010 General Biology I
BSC 1010L General Biology I Lab
BSC 1011 General Biology II
BSC 1011L General Biology II Lab
CHM 2210 Organic Chemistry I
CHM 2210L Organic Chemistry I Lab
CHM 2211 Organic Chemistry II
CHM 2211L Organic Chemistry II Lab3
1
3
1
4
1
3
1This program prepares students interested in physics and planning to enter business and business management careers. Concentrates on the basic of business administration and also gain a thorough understanding of electronics, lasers, computers and other tools of the physicist.
Common Prerequisites as Detailed Under the BA Degree
Additional Lower Division Courses (9)PHY 3106 Modern Physics I
PHY 3106L Modern Physics Lab I
PHY 3107 Modern Physics II
PHY 3107L Modern Physics Lab II
PHY 3513 Thermodynamics
PHY 4134 Widely Applied Physics I
PHY 4135 Widely Applied Physics II
PHY 4905 Senior Physics Lab
Physics Electives
ACG 3301 Acc. for Planning and Control
CGS 3300 Introduction to Information Systems
FIN 3403 Financial Management
MAN 3025 Organization and Management
MAN 4602 International Business
MAR 3023 Marketing Management
Business Electives
Electives
1
3
1
3
3
3
3
6
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
13ECO 2013 Principles of Macroeconomics
ECO 2023 Principles of Microeconomics
ACG 2021 Accounting for Decisions3
3
3Entrepreneurship Concentration
This program provides students with a strong background in physics as well as the skill set for starting and growing new high-tech business ventures. The curriculum encourages “hands on” interdisciplinary research in the form of an independent study course and an entrepreneurial science internship. It also provides the flexibility to tailor coursework to science and technology entrepreneurial activities. Graduates of this program will be well equipped to create their own high-tech jobs within existing companies as well as their own startup ventures.
Lower Divivion Preparation |
Upper Division Program (60) |
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| Common Prerequisites as Detailed Under the BA Degree |
PHY 3106 Modern Physics I GEB 4113 Entrepreneurship |
3 3 |
This program is designed for students who desire additional capabilities in physics beyond the basic sequence. This program is especially recommended for chemistry, mathematics, and engineering/technology majors.
| PHY 2048, PHY 2049 Physics with Calculus PHY 2048L, PHY 2049L Physics with Calculus Lab PHY 3106, PHY 3107 Modern Physics PHY 3106L, PHY 3107L Modern Physics Labs Additional approved courses |
8 2 6 2 3 |
Minor in Astronomy
This program is designed for students who desire additional capabilities in astronomy. The program offers enhanced preparation for graduate studies in astronomy and astrophysics. It is also aimed at students interested in careers in science education, science centers, musea, and planetaria.
| PHY 2048 Physics with Calculus I PHY 2048L Physics with Calculus Lab I PHY 2049 Physics with Calculus II PHY 2049L Physics with Calculus Lab II PHY 3106 Modern Physics I PHY 3106L Modern Physics Lab I AST 3213 Modern Astrophysics AST 3722 Observational Astronomy AST 3722L Observational Astronomy Lab |
4 |
Students seeking the baccalaureate degree in physics may also take part in the Cooperative Education Program conducted in conjunction with Career Planning & Placement. The student spends several semesters fully employed in an industrial or governmental physics laboratory. For further information consult the Department of Physics or Career Planning & Placement.
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