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College of Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics

Minor in Physics

Do you want to...

  • Develop new skills that complement your major?
  • Impress employers?
  • Increase your versatility?

Then you should consider a Physics Minor!

State of the art scientific research and engineering are increasingly becoming interdisciplinary endeavors.

Biology

There is a need for biologists with quantitative skills! Physicists and biologists collaborate on topics that span from nuclear medicine to the dynamics of protein folding.

  • Phys 321: Classical EM
  • Phys 323: Quantum Physics 
  • Phys 324: Stat. Mechanics & Thermodynamics

Chemistry

Quantum mechanics is the basis for much of chemistry, and materials research is the marriage between physics and chemistry.

  • Phys 323: Quantum Physics
  • Phys 423: Quantum Mechanics
  • Phys 422: Applied Solid State Physics

Computer Science

Physics offers the hardware foundations of digital logic and interfacing and a Physics Minor can open up opportunities in embedded systems engineering.

  • Phys 280: Electronics
  • Phys 301: Digital Design
  • Phys 402: Interfacing and Control

Mathematics

A Physics Minor helps focus principles of mathematics, such as eigenvectors and boundary value problems, into applications towards solving real-world situations.

  • Phys 320: Classical Mechanics
  • Phys 321: Classical Electromagnetism
  • Phys 323: Quantum Physics

Requirements

Completion of a minimum of 23 units, 11 of which must be at the upper-division level. Earn a grade of C or better in each class in the minor. 

Lower Division (12) 

  • PHYS 201 & 202 or PHYS 205 & 206  (8 units)
  • PHYS 203   (4 units)

Upper Division (8)

  • 8 or more units from any PHYS 300 level or higher that are counted towards the B.S. in Applied Physics.

Contact your Faculty Advisor for more information and consult with the Undergraduate Advisor of your major.