PHYSICS
What YOU will learn:
As a physics major at Nebraska, you will study matter and energy and their interactions. Physics is not just a body of knowledge it is
a set of approaches that will allow you to solve all kinds of problems. Physics seeks to describe the most basic features of a system and
the underlying general rules that govern them. These rules are powerful tools for understanding that system and similar ones that you
may encounter later.
The core curriculum includes courses in physics, math and chemistry; as well as four tracks to choose from based on your interest:
Professional Track for graduate study or employment in physics or a related scientific or engineering discipline
Optics and Lasers Track for graduate study or employment in optical or laser physics or related engineering disciplines
Materials Physics Track for graduate study or employment in materials physics or related discipline
Computational Physics Track for graduate study or employment in computational physics or related disciplines.
Career opportunities YOU will have:
Because the study of physics develops such strong analytical skills, physicists go into a wide variety of careers such as engineering,
law, medicine, computer science and information technology, optical and laser science, and materials science. Many physicists work in
government or industrial laboratories, but some start their own businesses. Recent Nebraska graduates include:
Applications Programmer, Holland Computing Center
Astronomical Instrument Technician, University of Texas
Lead Innovator, Nanonation
Process Engineer, Garmin
Researcher, University of Nebraska
Why NEBRASKA for Physics?
The Department of Physics and Astronomy at UNL features state-of-the-art research and teaching facilities. The Extreme Light
Laboratory houses Diocles, one of the most powerful lasers in the world. At the on-campus Student Observatory and Behlen
Observatory in Mead, Nebraska, you can study astrophysical phenomena such as quasars and pulsating stars.
At Nebraska you can study nanoscale magnetic materials, perform experiments to stop light, research matter waves and unusual
behavior of chiral molecules, and study the fundamental constituents of the matter that makes up our universe at some of the worlds
highest-energy particle accelerator laboratories.
Great stories start HERE!
Think about how far we have come in the last 100 years alone. You can attribute most of those technological advancements to physics.
Having a basic understanding of the universe at its most basic level will open windows that were previously thought to be walls.
- Erik
Ken Bloom | Associate Professor
258E Jorgensen Hall | 402-472-6093 |
[email protected]physics.unl.edu | cas.unl.edu
PHYSICS
1
MATH 106: Analytic Geometry & Calculus I (ACE 3)
PHYS 211: General Physics I (CDR B)
PHYS 221: General Physics I Lab (CDR BL)
Language Requirement - 201 Level (CDR E)
PHYS 213: General Physics III
PHYS 223: General Physics III Lab
CHEM 113: Fundamentals of Chemistry I
CDR A
FIFTH Semester
Total Hours
Physics Track Requirement
ACE 6
CDR C
Elective/Minor/Secondary Major/Pre-Professional
SEVENTH Semester
PHYS 222: General Physics II Lab
Language Requirement - 202 Level (CDR E)
ACE 1
Physics Track Requirement
ACE 9
CDR D
Elective/Minor/Secondary Major/Pre-Professional
15
MATH 221: Differential Equations
PHYS 231: Electrical & Electronic Circuits
PHYS 311: Mechanics
ACE 2
ACE 5
Total Hours
15
PHYS 451: Electromagnetic Theory
PHYS 461: Quantum Mechanics
Physics Track Requirement
ACE 8
Elective/Minor/Secondary Major/Pre-Professional
Total Hours
15
Physics Track Requirement
Total Hours
PHYS 212: General Physics II (ACE 4)
16
PHYS 431: Thermal Physics
Total Hours
Total Hours
FOURTH Semester
MATH 208: Analytic Geometry & Calculus III
HOURS
MATH 107: Analytic Geometry & Calculus II (CDR F)
14
SIXTH Semester
THIRD Semester
Total Hours
COURSE NAME
SECOND Semester
HOURS
EIGHTH Semester
FIRST Semester
COURSE NAME
PHYS 201: Modern Topics in Physics & Astronomy
15
Physics Track Elective (ACE 10)
Physics Track Elective
ACE 7
Elective/Minor/Secondary Major/Pre-Professional
Elective/Minor/Secondary Major/Pre-Professional
15
DISCLAIMER: This document represents a sample 4-year plan for degree completion with a major of interest in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Actual course selection and sequence may vary and should be discussed individually with an Academic Adviser at the college and department level.
Ken Bloom | Associate Professor
258E Jorgensen Hall | 402-472-6093 |
[email protected]physics.unl.edu | cas.unl.edu
Total Hours
15
