Program

Curriculum

Degree requirements for the B.S. in Physics (120 semester hours total) — the shared core every concentration requires, plus each concentration's own courses.

Minor in Physics

All degree programs are built on a core of 24 semester hours of physics numbered 3300 or above and 4 semester hours of mathematics. The standard program is designed to prepare the student for graduate school or immediate employment upon graduation. Students selecting the standard program must complete 21 semester hours of physics, astronomy and mathematics beyond the core set of physics and mathematics courses. As alternatives to the standard program, a specific area of concentration may be chosen instead: applied physics, astronomy, pre-medicine, biophysics, geology, computer science, or education.

Overall institutional GPA of 2.0 and major GPA of 2.0 (Major + Additional Courses areas) required to graduate. Grades of C- satisfy graduation requirements, but some courses require a grade of C or higher as a prerequisite.

Graduation with Distinction in Physics requires a 3.4 GPA overall, a 3.4 GPA in major courses, and a grade of A or A+ in PHYS 4900 - Research Project-CTW.

Prerequisites are shown for the shared core courses below (Core IMPACTS, Field of Study required courses, and the Physics & Math Core). Elective pools (Field of Study electives, and each concentration's own elective list) don't show prerequisites here; check the catalog's Course Descriptions search for a specific elective. Source: 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog.

Shared core (every concentration)

The standard program and all seven concentrations below are built on this same foundation before adding their own 21 hours.

Core IMPACTS Recommendations

Not required within the Core IMPACTS areas themselves, but required for the major — if not taken as part of Core IMPACTS, must be taken in the Field of Study or Additional Courses area instead.

Course	Title	Credit Hrs	Prerequisite
MATH 1113	Precalculus	3	MATH 1111 (C or higher), or qualifying math placement score
MATH 2211	Calculus of One Variable I	4	MATH 1113 (C or higher), or qualifying math placement score
PHYS 2211K	Principles of Physics I	4	MATH 2211 or MATH 2201 (C or higher)
PHYS 2212K	Principles of Physics II	4	MATH 2212 or MATH 2202, and PHYS 2211K (or PHYS 2211 + PHYS 2211L) (C or higher)

Field of Study — Required Courses

18 Hours total

Unless already used to satisfy the Technology, Mathematics & Sciences Core IMPACTS area. Courses ending in K may also be taken as separate lecture + lab (L) pairs — they are equivalent.

Course	Title	Credit Hrs	Prerequisite
CHEM 1211K	Principles of Chemistry I	4	MATH 1111 or higher (C or higher); concurrent MATH 1111 allowed under specific AP/placement conditions
MATH 2212	Calculus of One Variable II	4	MATH 2211 (C or higher)
MATH 2215	Multivariate Calculus	4	MATH 2212 (C or higher)
MATH 2641	Linear Algebra I	3	MATH 2211 (C or higher)
PHYS 1000	Gateway to Physics Not required of students entering with an AS degree.	3	None
PHYS 2211K	Principles of Physics I Counted here only if not already used in Core IMPACTS.	4	—
PHYS 2212K	Principles of Physics II Counted here only if not already used in Core IMPACTS.	4	—

Field of Study — Electives

Fill remainder of 18 Hours

Select additional courses from this pool to complete 18 hours in the Field of Study Area. Prerequisites are not shown.

Course	Title	Credit Hrs
CSC 1301	Principles of Computer Science I	3
CSC 1302	Principles of Computer Science II	3
ASTR 1010K	Astronomy of the Solar System	4
ASTR 1020K	Stellar and Galactic Astronomy	4
BIOL 1103K	Introductory Biology I	4
BIOL 1104K	Introductory Biology II	4
BIOL 2107 + BIOL 2107L	Principles of Biology I + Laboratory	4
BIOL 2108 + BIOL 2108L	Principles of Biology II + Laboratory	4
EDUC 2110	Investigating Critical and Contemporary Issues in Education	3
EDUC 2120	Exploring Socio-Cultural Perspectives on Diversity in Educational Contexts	3
EDUC 2130	Exploring Learning and Teaching	3
GEOL 1121K	Introductory Geology I: Dynamic Earth	4
GEOL 1122K	Introductory Geology II: Earth and Life Through Time	4
RSCH 1203	Research Strategies and Technology	1

Physics & Math Core — CTW Requirement

6 Hours

Course	Title	Credit Hrs	Prerequisite
PHYS 3300	Advanced Physics Laboratory-CTW Corequisite: PHYS 3401 and MATH 2215	3	PHYS 2212K (or PHYS 2212 + PHYS 2212L) and MATH 2212 (C or higher)
PHYS 4900	Research Project-CTW	3	PHYS 3300 and PHYS 3401 (C or higher), and permission of the instructor

Physics & Math Core — Additional Physics Requirements

18 Hours

Course	Title	Credit Hrs	Prerequisite
PHYS 3401	Modern Physics	4	PHYS 2212K and MATH 2212 (C or higher)
PHYS 3850	Statistical and Thermal Physics	3	PHYS 2212K and MATH 2215 (C or higher)
PHYS 3550	Mathematical Methods and Computational Physics I Corequisite: MATH 2641	3	MATH 2215 and PHYS 2212K (C or higher)
PHYS 4600	Classical Mechanics	4	PHYS 2212K and MATH 2652 (C or higher), or equivalent, or consent of instructor
PHYS 4700	Electricity and Magnetism	4	PHYS 2212K and MATH 2215 (C or higher)

Physics & Math Core — Mathematics Requirement

4 Hours

Course	Title	Credit Hrs	Prerequisite
MATH 2652	Differential Equations	4	MATH 2212 (C or higher)

Concentrations

Choose the standard program or one concentration below — each adds 21 semester hours on top of the shared core above. Consult the Undergraduate Director when planning a concentration.

Standard Program

21 Hours

Students planning graduate study in physics.

To meet the requirements for the degree with the standard program, the core set of physics and mathematics courses must be completed along with additional physics and mathematics courses below.

Required Courses

3 Hours

Course	Title	Credit Hrs
PHYS 3560	Mathematical Methods and Computational Physics II	3

Physics and Astronomy Courses

12-15 Hours

Select 12-15 hours from the following.

Course	Title	Credit Hrs
ASTR 3510	Astrophysics of Stars and Planets	3
ASTR 3520	Galactic and Extragalactic Astrophysics	3
ASTR 4100	Astronomical Techniques and Instrumentation	3
ASTR 4130 / PHYS 4130	Fluid Dynamics with Astrophysical Applications	3
ASTR 4200	Astronomical Data Analytics	3
ASTR 4300	Black Holes and Relativity	3
ASTR 4500	Special Topics in Astronomy and Astrophysics	3
NEUR 4001 / PHYS 4001	Computational Neuroscience Laboratory	4
NEUR 4330 / PHYS 4710	Functional Neuroimaging	3
NEUR 4340 / PHYS 4340	Neurophysics	3
PHYS 3500	Electronics	3
PHYS 3800	Optics	4
PHYS 4110	Introduction to Embedded Systems Laboratory	4
PHYS 4300	Teaching Physics	1
PHYS 4310	Teaching Physics Practice	1
PHYS 4410	Nuclear and Particle Physics	3
PHYS 4500	Special Topics in Physics	3
PHYS 4720	Introduction to Magnetism and Magnetic Materials	3
PHYS 4810	Quantum Mechanics	3
PHYS 4910	Solid State Physics	3
PHYS 4950	Advanced Research	1

Mathematics and Computer Science Courses

3-6 Hours

Select one to two courses.

Course	Title	Credit Hrs
CSC 4610 / MATH 4610	Numerical Analysis I	3
MATH 3350	Scientific Computing	3
MATH 4250	Complex Analysis	3
MATH 4258	Vector Calculus	3
MATH 4265	Partial Differential Equations	3
MATH 4275	Applied Dynamical Systems	3

Applied Physics Concentration

21 Hours

In addition to the core courses in physics and mathematics, the applied physics concentration allows courses from other sciences and engineering to complete the program in physics-related areas. Engineering courses may be available through cross registration at the Georgia Institute of Technology.

At least 18 semester hours must be completed at the 3000 level or above.
At least nine semester hours must be selected from science and/or engineering courses offered by other departments.
The overall program must be developed in consultation with a faculty advisor within the Department of Physics and Astronomy.

Astronomy Concentration

21 Hours

In addition to the core set of physics and mathematics courses, the astronomy concentration consists of 12 semester hours in required astronomy courses, plus others from the list below, to complete the requirements for the degree.

Required Courses

12 Hours

Course	Title	Credit Hrs
ASTR 3510	Astrophysics of Stars and Planets	3
ASTR 3520	Galactic and Extragalactic Astrophysics	3
ASTR 4100	Astronomical Techniques and Instrumentation	3
ASTR 4200	Astronomical Data Analytics	3

Physics, Mathematics, and Computer Science Courses

9 Hours

Select 9 hours from the following or other courses approved by the undergraduate director.

Course	Title	Credit Hrs
ASTR 4130 / PHYS 4130	Fluid Dynamics with Astrophysical Applications	3
ASTR 4300	Black Holes and Relativity	3
ASTR 4500	Special Topics in Astronomy and Astrophysics	3
CSC 4610 / MATH 4610	Numerical Analysis I	3
MATH 3350	Scientific Computing	3
MATH 4250	Complex Analysis	3
MATH 4258	Vector Calculus	3
MATH 4265	Partial Differential Equations	3
MATH 4275	Applied Dynamical Systems	3
NEUR 4001 / PHYS 4001	Computational Neuroscience Laboratory	4
NEUR 4330 / PHYS 4710	Functional Neuroimaging	3
NEUR 4340 / PHYS 4340	Neurophysics	3
PHYS 3500	Electronics	3
PHYS 3560	Mathematical Methods and Computational Physics II	3
PHYS 3800	Optics	4
PHYS 4110	Introduction to Embedded Systems Laboratory	4
PHYS 4300	Teaching Physics	1
PHYS 4310	Teaching Physics Practice	1
PHYS 4410	Nuclear and Particle Physics	3
PHYS 4500	Special Topics in Physics	3
PHYS 4720	Introduction to Magnetism and Magnetic Materials	3
PHYS 4810	Quantum Mechanics	3
PHYS 4910	Solid State Physics	3
PHYS 4950	Advanced Research	1

Pre-Medicine Concentration

21 Hours

In addition to the core set of physics and mathematics courses, the pre-medicine concentration allows courses from biology and chemistry to complete the requirements for the degree, and provides the set of physics, chemistry, and biology courses required for admission to most medical schools. Note: BIOL 2107/2107L and BIOL 2108/2108L are prerequisites for BIOL 3800 and other upper-division biology courses.

Required Chemistry Courses

8 Hours

Course	Title	Credit Hrs
CHEM 2400	Organic Chemistry I	3
CHEM 2410	Organic Chemistry II	3
CHEM 2400L + CHEM 2410L	Organic Chemistry I & II Laboratory Choose this pair, or CHEM 2100 below — not both.	2
CHEM 2100	Intermediate Organic Chemistry Laboratory I Alternative to CHEM 2400L + CHEM 2410L above.	2

Required Biology Course

3 Hours

Select one.

Course	Title	Credit Hrs
BIOL 3240	Applied Medical Physiology	3
BIOL 3800	Molecular Cell Biology	3

Electives

10 Hours

Select ten hours from the following or other courses approved by the undergraduate director.

Course	Title	Credit Hrs
BIOL 3240	Applied Medical Physiology Unless used above.	3
BIOL 3250	Human Physiology Laboratory	1
BIOL 3800	Molecular Cell Biology Unless used above.	3
BIOL 3810	Molecular Cell Biology Laboratory-CTW	3
BIOL 3880	Microbiology	3
BIOL 3890	Microbiology Laboratory	2
BIOL 3900	Genetics	3
BIOL 3910	Genetics Laboratory	2
CHEM 3110	Intermediate Organic Chemistry Laboratory II	2
CHEM 3400	Structure and Reactivity of Biomolecules	3
CHEM 4600	Biochemistry I	5
NEUR 3000	Principles of Neuroscience I	4
NEUR 4001 / PHYS 4001	Computational Neuroscience Laboratory	4
NEUR 4330 / PHYS 4710	Functional Neuroimaging	3
NEUR 4340 / PHYS 4340	Neurophysics	3
PHYS 3560	Mathematical Methods and Computational Physics II	3
PHYS 4300	Teaching Physics	1
PHYS 4310	Teaching Physics Practice	1
MATH 4258	Vector Calculus	3
MATH 4265	Partial Differential Equations	3

Biophysics Concentration

21 Hours

In addition to the core set of physics and mathematics courses, the biophysics concentration allows biology and chemistry courses providing background in biochemical, biomolecular, and neural sciences. Excellent preparation for advanced study in biological physics and for admission to M.D./Ph.D. programs. Note: BIOL 2107/2107L and BIOL 2108/2108L are prerequisites for BIOL 3800 and other upper-division biology courses.

Required Courses

6 Hours

Course	Title	Credit Hrs
BIOL 3800	Molecular Cell Biology	3
CHEM 2400	Organic Chemistry I	3

Electives

15 Hours

Select 15 hours from the following or other courses approved by the undergraduate director. CHEM 2410 is a prerequisite for many other courses listed here.

Course	Title	Credit Hrs
CHEM 2400L	Organic Chemistry I Laboratory	1
CHEM 2410L	Organic Chemistry II Laboratory	1
CHEM 2410	Organic Chemistry II	3
CHEM 3110	Intermediate Organic Chemistry Laboratory II	2
CHEM 3400	Structure and Reactivity of Biomolecules	3
CHEM 4000	Fundamentals of Chemical Analysis-CTW	3
CHEM 4110	Chemical Thermodynamics and Kinetics	3
CHEM 4120	Quantum Chemistry	3
CHEM 4600	Biochemistry I	5
BIOL 3810	Molecular Cell Biology Laboratory-CTW	3
BIOL 3840	Animal Biology	3
BIOL 3850	Animal Biology Laboratory	1
BIOL 3880	Microbiology	3
BIOL 3890	Microbiology Laboratory	2
BIOL 3900	Genetics	3
BIOL 3910	Genetics Laboratory	2
BIOL 4102	Neurobiology	4
NEUR 3000	Principles of Neuroscience I	4
NEUR 4001 / PHYS 4001	Computational Neuroscience Laboratory	4
NEUR 4330 / PHYS 4710	Functional Neuroimaging	3
NEUR 4340 / PHYS 4340	Neurophysics	3
PHYS 3500	Electronics	3
PHYS 3560	Mathematical Methods and Computational Physics II	3
PHYS 4300	Teaching Physics	1
PHYS 4310	Teaching Physics Practice	1
MATH 4258	Vector Calculus	3
MATH 4265	Partial Differential Equations	3
CHEM 2100	Intermediate Organic Chemistry Laboratory I	2

Geology Concentration

21 Hours

In addition to the core set of physics and mathematics courses, this concentration allows geology courses to complete the requirements for the degree. Note: GEOL 1121K/1121L and GEOL 1122K/1122L are prerequisites for upper-division geology courses.

Geology Courses

15 Hours

Select at least 15 hours from the following or other courses approved by the undergraduate director.

Course	Title	Credit Hrs
GEOL 4002	Hydrogeology	4
GEOL 4003	Principles and Applications of Environmental Geochemistry	3
GEOL 4005	Geology of Georgia	3
GEOL 4006	Sedimentology and Stratigraphy CTW	4
GEOL 4013	Structural Geology	4
GEOL 4015	Mineralogy	4
GEOL 4016	Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology	4
GEOL 4017	Environmental Geology	3
GEOL 4042	Environmental Instrumentations I: Aqueous Media	4

Electives

6 Hours

Select at least six hours from the following or other courses approved by the undergraduate director.

Course	Title	Credit Hrs
PHYS 3500	Electronics	3
PHYS 3560	Mathematical Methods and Computational Physics II	3
PHYS 3800	Optics	4
PHYS 4300	Teaching Physics	1
PHYS 4310	Teaching Physics Practice	1
PHYS 4410	Nuclear and Particle Physics	3
PHYS 4720	Introduction to Magnetism and Magnetic Materials	3
PHYS 4810	Quantum Mechanics	3
PHYS 4910	Solid State Physics	3
PHYS 4950	Advanced Research	1
CSC 4610	Numerical Analysis I	3
MATH 4250	Complex Analysis	3
MATH 4258	Vector Calculus	3
MATH 4265	Partial Differential Equations	3

Computer Science Concentration

21 Hours

In addition to the core set of physics and mathematics courses, this option allows courses in computer science and related areas to complete the requirements for the degree. Note: one or more of CSC 1301, CSC 1302, CSC 2510, and CSC 2720 are prerequisites for many upper-division computer science courses.

Required Course

3 Hours

Course	Title	Credit Hrs
PHYS 3500	Electronics	3

Computer Science Courses

12-18 Hours

Select 12-18 hours from the following or other courses approved by the undergraduate director.

Course	Title	Credit Hrs
CSC 2510	Theoretical Foundations of Computer Science	3
CSC 2720	Data Structures	3
CSC 3210	Computer Organization and Programming	3
CSC 3320	System-Level Programming	3
CSC 4120	Introduction to Robotics	4
CSC 4210	Computer Architecture	4
CSC 4220	Computer Networks	4
CSC 4310	Parallel and Distributed Computing	4
CSC 4330	Programming Language Concepts	4
CSC 4520	Design and Analysis of Algorithms	4
CSC 4610	Numerical Analysis I	3
CSC 4620	Numerical Analysis II	3
CSC 4630	Matlab	4
CSC 4710	Database Systems	4
CSC 4730	Data Visualization	4
CSC 4740	Data Mining	4
CSC 4760	Big Data Programming	4
CSC 4820	Interactive Computer Graphics	4

Electives

0-6 Hours

Select six hours from the following or other courses approved by the undergraduate director.

Course	Title	Credit Hrs
MATH 3030	Mathematical Models for Computer Science	3
MATH 4250	Complex Analysis	3
MATH 4258	Vector Calculus	3
MATH 4265	Partial Differential Equations	3
NEUR 4001 / PHYS 4001	Computational Neuroscience Laboratory	4
NEUR 4330 / PHYS 4710	Functional Neuroimaging	3
NEUR 4340 / PHYS 4340	Neurophysics	3
PHYS 3560	Mathematical Methods and Computational Physics II	3
PHYS 3800	Optics	4
PHYS 4110	Introduction to Embedded Systems Laboratory	4
PHYS 4300	Teaching Physics	1
PHYS 4310	Teaching Physics Practice	1
PHYS 4410	Nuclear and Particle Physics	3
PHYS 4810	Quantum Mechanics	3
PHYS 4910	Solid State Physics	3
PHYS 4950	Advanced Research	1

Education Concentration

21 Hours

This option leads to certification to teach physics in grades 6-12. Note: EDUC 2110, EDUC 2120, and EDUC 2130 are prerequisites for the field placement courses (EDCI 4600, EDCI 4650, EDCI 4750).

Admission to this concentration

Prior to beginning this concentration, students must be accepted into Teacher Education in the College of Education and Human Development. To apply, students must have:

Completed the Core IMPACTS and Field of Study areas of the program of study.
Earned a 2.5 overall cumulative GPA.
Passed (or been exempted from) the GACE Program Admission Assessment — Combined Test I, II, and III (700). Program entry candidates must add Georgia State University (school code 5090) as a score recipient when registering, or the department will not receive notification of completion.
Completed the Georgia Educator Ethics – Program Entry (350) Assessment (no pass/fail grade is assigned). Program entry candidates must add Georgia State University as a score recipient when registering.

Required Courses

21 Hours

Course	Title	Credit Hrs
EXC 4020	Characteristics and Instructional Strategies for Students with Disabilities	3
EDSC 4655	Principles of Science Instruction	3
EDSC 4755	Theory and Pedagogy of Science Instruction	3
EDCI 3250	Introduction to Teaching in Secondary Schools	3
EDCI 4600	Student Teaching I: Middle Grades	3.0-6.0
EDCI 4650	Opening School Experience	0
EDCI 4750	Student Teaching in the Secondary School	6.0-9.0

Additional requirements for teacher certification

Students must maintain a 3.00 GPA for courses in the education concentration.
Only hours of EDCI 4600 and EDCI 4750 completed with a grade of B or better count toward certification.
Students must pass the appropriate GACE II examination to be recommended for certification.
Each student must maintain an electronic program portfolio demonstrating proficiency in the INTASC pedagogy standards and the National Science Education Standards (NSES); NETS requirements are embedded in the coursework above.

Additional Courses Area

Students earning a B.S. through the Department of Physics and Astronomy are not required to take a minor. Additional courses must be taken as electives to complete a minimum of 120 semester hours. Although not a requirement, the department recommends physics majors take these elective courses at the 2000 level or above in mathematics, computer science, chemistry, biology, geology, physics, or astronomy — consult the departmental academic adviser.

Not sure how a concentration or transfer credit affects your plan? The Undergraduate Director or Associate Undergraduate Director can help you map it out.

Minor in Physics

Ask an advisor

Students who wish to minor in physics must:

Take at least 15 semester hours in physics and/or astronomy courses
Of those, at least 9 semester hours must be at the 3000 level or above
A grade of C- or higher is required in every course counted toward the minor