2022-2023 Samford University Undergraduate Catalog 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2022-2023 Samford University Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Physics


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Howard College of Arts & Sciences

Go to Programs and Course Listings

Faculty

Don H. Olive, Chair, Professor; Director of Christenberry Planetarium
Eric H. Remington, Assistant Professor
Stephen L. Strickland, Assistant Professor


Undergraduate Programs and Requirements

Majors
Engineering Physics Major (B.S.) 
Physics Major (B.A.) 
Physics Major (B.S.)  

Minor
Physics Minor 
_______________________________________________________
The Department of Physics offers two majors: physics (leading to a bachelor of science or bachelor of arts degree) and engineering physics (leading to a bachelor of science degree).

Students interested in pursuing an engineering career and taking basic courses in the fields of mathematics, physics, computer science, and chemistry are well prepared to transfer to any engineering school. At Samford, students can complete half the curriculum required in any of the following fields of engineering: mechanical, electrical, civil, chemical, highway, and aeronautical. Interested students are advised to check with several engineering schools to determine which Samford courses would transfer directly.

To obtain a major in physics or engineering physics, students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.50 in mathematics and physics courses. Additionally, to receive a bachelor of science degree in physics, students must complete a senior thesis. See the department chair for details.

The department also offers a minor in physics.


General Education: University Core Curriculum and Distribution Requirements

See General Education Overview  in the Howard College of Arts and Sciences introductory pages for a list of required and applicable courses.

For a major or minor in physics or a major in engineering physics, the general education mathematics requirement is satisfied by MATH 240 (Calculus I) . For a major in physics or engineering physics, the general education natural and computational sciences requirement is satisfied by CHEM 205 (Foundations of Chemistry I)  and its associated laboratory CHEM 206 . Physics and engineering physics majors cannot use COSC 107 (Introduction to Computer Science)  to fulfill this requirement.


Programs

    MajorMinor

    Courses

      Physics

      Of related interest: IDSC 201 - Scientific Methods (4) .

      Note on Special Problems courses: A maximum of five credits total for PHYS 461 , PHYS 471 , and/or PHYS 481  may count toward graduation requirements.

      Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Howard College of Arts & Sciences