The typical four-year outline for Michigan Tech's physics bachelor's of science degree provides a semester-by-semester guide to core courses, labs, and requirements.
The uAchieve Interactive Degree Audit is the official method for tracking the completion of your specific degree requirements. Please be aware that there are multiple ways for students to progress through this major. This is just one sample and adjustments may be required due to curriculum changes. Students should work with their advisor to develop their individual plan. A full list of undergraduate course descriptions is available.
Year One
| Course | Prerequisites | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PH1160 Honors Physics I- Mechanics | 3 | |
| PH1161 Intro to Experimental Physics 1 | 1 | |
| PH1162 Intro to Physics Seminar | 1 | |
| MA1160/1 Calculus with Technology I | 4-5 * | |
| CH1150 University Chemistry I | 3 | |
| CH1151 University Chemistry Lab | 1 | |
| UN1015 Composition | 3 | |
| Total | 16-17 |
| Course | Prerequisites | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PH1360 Honors Physics II | 2 † | |
| PH1361 Intro to Experimental Physics II | 1 | |
| PH2300 Univ Phys III – Fluids & Thermal | 2 † | |
| MA2160 Calculus with Technology II | 4 | |
| MA2320 or 2330 Elem./Intro. Linear Algebra | 2-3 | |
| Ess. Ed. Foundations of the Human World | 3 | |
| Elective or Physics elective | 3 ◊ # | |
| Total | 15-18 |
Year Two
| Course | Prerequisites | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PH2021 Intro to Programming in Physics | 1 | |
| PH2260 Honors Physics III- Electricity & Magnetism | 4 | |
| PH2261 Intro to Experimental Physics III | 1 | |
| MA3530 Intro to Differential Equations | 3 | |
| Ess. Ed. Distribution or Minor course | 3 § | |
| Elective or Physics elective | 3 ◊ # | |
| Total | 17 |
| Course | Prerequisites | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PH2230 Electronics or Physics elective | 3-4 φ # | |
| PH2400 Univ Physics IV- Waves & Modern Phys. | 3 | |
| MA3160 Multivariable Calculus | 4 | |
| Ess. Ed. Distribution or Minor course | 3 § | |
| Elective or Physics elective | 3 ◊ # | |
| Total | 15-17 |
Year Three
| Course | Prerequisites | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PH3210 Optics and/or Physics electives | 3-6 φ # | |
| Ess. Ed Distribution or Minor course | 3 § | |
| Electives | 6-9 ◊ | |
| Ess. Ed. Well-being | 1 § | |
| Total | 16 |
| Course | Prerequisites | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Physics electives | 3-6 # | |
| Ess. Ed. Distribution or Minor course | 3 § | |
| Electives | 6-9 ◊ | |
| Ess. Ed. Well-being | 1 § | |
| Total | 16 |
Year Four
| Course | Prerequisites | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Physics Electives | 3-6 # | |
| Ess. Ed. Distribution or Minor course | 3 § | |
| Electives | 6-9 ◊ | |
| Ess. Ed. Well-being | 1 | |
| Total | 16 |
| Course | Prerequisites | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Physics electives | 3-6 # | |
| Ess. Ed. Distribution or Minor course | 3 § | |
| Ess. Ed. Distribution or Minor course | 6-9 ◊ | |
| Total | 15 |
Grand Total =
* Physics majors are expected to be calculus ready upon entering this program. Students
who are placed in MA1032 should contact Dr. John Jaszczak (jaszczak@mtu.edu) or Dr. Katrina Black (keblack@mtu.edu) to discuss several options.
† Half-Semester Course
◊ 40 to 42 total credits of free electives. Students are encouraged to develop a coherent
plan with an advisor
# 15 credits physics electives with a minimum of 9 credits at the 3000-level or higher.
PH4010, PH4011, PH4050, PH4080 and
more than 3 credits of PH4999 may not be counted toward the 3000-level or higher requirement
φ Only one of PH2230 and PH3210 is required
§ Refer to Essential Education requirements
Essential Education Requirements (24 total credits)
Required courses are:
- Essential Ed Seminar (UN 1013 or UN 2013, 1 credit),
- Composition (UN 1015-3 credits),
- a Natural and Physical Science course (3 credits),
- a Communication Intensive course (3 credits),
- an Arts and Culture course (3 credits),
- an Intercultural Competency course (3 credits),
- an Essential Education Experience course (3 credits),
- and 3 credits of Activities for Well-being and Success.
For specific courses, reference Essential Education on the Registrar's website.
Additional Notes
- Prerequisite (pre-req) course must be successfully completed PRIOR to taking the subsequent
course.
- Concurrent Prerequisites (concurrent noted by ©) may be taken at the same time, although
it is not necessary if the prerequisite course is completed first.
- Required Corequisite (co-req) courses that MUST be taken together in the same semester.
- Class Standing: So (Sophomore Standing earned 30 credits) Jr (Junior Standing earned 60 credits), Sr (Senior Standing earned 90 credits)
- Semester Offered: Noted under electives with F (Fall), Sp (Spring), Su (Summer) or On Demand (no anticipated offering but may show in the schedule, consult COB advisor)
- Concurrent Prerequisites (concurrent noted by ©) may be taken at the same time, although
it is not necessary if the prerequisite course is completed first.
- Math: Students are placed into an initial math course based on ACT/SAT math score, the online ALEKS assessment, or a math placement exam score for credit (AP, IB, CLEP).
- Transfer, Advanced Placement, or study abroad courses are not included in credit hours used for GPA calculations. Transfer credit is awarded for Michigan Tech equivalent coursework only if a grade of ‘C’ or better (2.00/4.00) or equivalent is earned at a transfer institution. Study abroad credit will be awarded based on passing a course according to equivalent international standards. Advanced Placement credit is awarded according to published AP Exam score standards (also IB and CLEP).
This degree plan is not an official list of degree requirements. Adjustments may be required due to curriculum changes.
Revised Summer 2025.