Physics and Computer Science
Computer Science and Physics Double Major
Since the dawn of the computer age, Computer Science and Physics have been closely intertwined disciplines. Computational physics is now an established branch of physics, complementing experiment and theory, that develops and applies computer modeling approaches to the solution of a wide range of physical problems. At the same time, software development (e.g., for graphics and data mining applications) is increasingly inspired by physics. Computer modeling, including simulation and numerical analysis, is an essential component of modern research and development. Correspondingly, the demand is growing for scientists with multidisciplinary training that combines fundamental knowledge of physics and computer science with practical skills in programming and computation. The Computer Science and Physics double major program is designed to allow students to complete the core requirements of both majors in a four-year degree. Graduates of the program will have a unique background qualifying them to work in industry or to pursue graduate studies in physics, computer science, engineering, or other technical fields.
Major Requirements
Major: Computer Science & Physics
Degree Type: B.A. or B.S.
Required Degree Credits to Graduate: 134
General Education Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| First Year Experience (F): | ||
| UNIV 189 | Skills For Academic Success (Students transferring in 24 or more credits do not need to take UNIV 189.) | 1 |
| Communication (C): | ||
| ENGL 110 | College Composition I | 3 |
| ENGL 120 | College Composition II | 3 |
| One Course in Upper Level Writing: Select from current general education list | 3 | |
| COMM 110 | Fundamentals of Public Speaking | 3 |
| Quantitative Reasoning (R): | ||
| MATH 165 | Calculus I | 4 |
| Science & Technology (S): | ||
| PHYS 251 & 251L | University Physics I and University Physics I Laboratory | 5 |
| PHYS 252 & 252L | University Physics II and University Physics II Laboratory | 5 |
| Humanities & Fine Arts (A): Select from current general education list | 6 | |
| Social & Behavioral Sciences (B): Select from current general education list | 6 | |
| Wellness (W): Select from current general education list | 2 | |
| Cultural Diversity (D): Select from current general education list | ||
| Global Perspectives (G): Select from current general education list | ||
| Total Credits | 41 | |
College Requirements
Bachelor of Science (BS) Degree – An additional 6 credits in Humanities or Social Sciences*
Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree – An additional 12 credits Humanities and Social Sciences* and proficiency at the second year level in a modern foreign language.
* Humanities and Social Sciences may be fulfilled by any course having the following prefix: ADHM, ANTH, ARCH, ART, CJ, CLAS, COMM, ECON, ENGL, FREN, GEOG, GERM, HDFS, HIST, LA, LANG, MUSC, PHIL, POLS, PSYC, RELS, SOC, SPAN, THEA, WGS, or any course from the approved list of general education courses in humanities and social sciences (general education categories A and B). These credits must come from outside the department of the student’s major.
Major Requirements
A grade of ‘C’ or better is required for all CSCI, PHYS, and AST prefix courses.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Requirements | 40 | |
| College of Science and Mathematics Requirements | 6-12 | |
| Computer Science Major Requirements | ||
| CSCI 160 | Computer Science I | 4 |
| CSCI 161 | Computer Science II | 4 |
| CSCI 213 | Modern Software Development | 3 |
| CSCI 336 | Theoretical Computer Science II | 3 |
| CSCI 366 | Database Systems | 3 |
| CSCI 372 | Comparative Programming Languages | 3 |
| CSCI 374 | Computer Organization and Architechure | 3 |
| CSCI 467 | Algorithm Analysis | 3 |
| CSCI 474 | Operating Systems Concepts | 3 |
| CSCI Electives | CSCI 313 and/or any 400-level CSCI course that is not already used. | 6 |
| Physics Major Requirements: | ||
| PHYS 171 | Introductory Projects in Physics | 1 |
| PHYS 251R | University Physics I Recitation | 1 |
| PHYS 252R | University Physics II Recitation | 1 |
| PHYS 350 | Modern Physics | 3 |
| PHYS 360 | Modern Physics II | 3 |
| PHYS 361 | Electromagnetic Theory (or PHYS 370: Electromagnetic Theory - MSUM) | 3-4 |
| PHYS 370 | Introduction to Computational Physics | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Classical Mechanics | ||
PHYS 330 | Intermediate Mechanics (MSUM) | |
| PHYS 462 | Heat & Thermodynamics | 3 |
| PHYS 485 | Quantum Mechanics I | 3 |
| PHYS 486 | Quantum Mechanics II | 3 |
| Physics Electives: Select from the following: | 6 | |
| Research For Undergraduates | ||
| Optics for Scientists & Engineers | ||
| Lasers for Scientists and Engineers | ||
| Elements of Photonics | ||
| Statistical Mechanics | ||
| Introduction to Solid State Physics | ||
| Physics Projects (If not used to satisfy project requirement) | ||
MSUM AST | Astronomy courses (300/400-level) with departmental permissionsion | |
| Related Required Courses | ||
| MATH 129 | Basic Linear Algebra | 2-3 |
| or MATH 429 | Linear Algebra | |
| MATH 166 | Calculus II | 4 |
| MATH 265 | Calculus III | 4 |
| MATH 266 | Introduction to Differential Equations | 3 |
| MATH 270 | Introduction to Abstract Mathematics | 3 |
| CSCI 445 | Software Projects Capstone | 3 |
| or PHYS 489 | Physics Projects | |
| Total Credits | 134-143 | |
Program Notes
- Except for courses offered only as pass/fail grading, no course may be taken Pass/Fail.
