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Physics - B.A. Program Requirements PDFDownload to print

Type Legend: DD Diversity–Domestic; DG Diversity–Global; ELR Experiential Learning; KAD Kent Core Additional; KBS Kent Core Basic Sciences; KCM Kent Core Composition; KFA Kent Core Fine Arts: KHU Kent Core Humanities; KMC Kent Core Mathematics and Critical Reasoning; KSS Kent Core Social Sciences; WIC Writing Intensive

Please read the sections in the University Catalog on Kent Core, diversity, writing-intensive and the experiential learning requirements.

I. DESTINATION KENT STATE: FIRST YEAR EXPERIENCE  (1 credit)
Type Course Title Credits
  US 10097 Destination Kent State: First Year Experience 1 1
II. MAJOR PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS (55 credits) 1  Courses count in major GPA 
Type Course Title Credits
KMC MATH 12002 Analytic Geometry and Calculus I 5
    12003 Analytic Geometry and Calculus II 5
    32051 Mathematical Methods in Physical Sciences I 4
    32052 Mathematical Methods in Physical Sciences II 4
  PHY 12000 Introductory Physics Seminar 1
KBS   23101 General University Physics I 5
KBS   23102 General University Physics II 5
WIC   30020 Intermediate Physics Laboratory 2 2
    35101 Classical Mechanics 4
    36001 Introductory Modern Physics 3
    36002 Applications of Modern Physics 3
WIC   40020 Advanced Physics Laboratory 2 2
    45201 Electromagnetic Theory 4
    3/4xxxx Physic electives (upper division) 3 8
III. ADDITIONAL PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS (64 credits)  
Type Course Title Credits
  Foreign Language 4 14-20
  Kent Core Composition 6
  Kent Core Humanities and Fine Arts (minimum one course from each) 9
  Kent Core Social Sciences (must be from two disciplines) 6
  Kent Core Additional 6
  College General Requirements (must be from Kent Core Basic Sciences) 5 3
  College General Requirements (must be from Kent Core Social Sciences) 6 3
  General Electives (minimum 8 upper-division credit hours)
Credits required depends on meeting minimum 120 credit hours and minimum 42 upper-division credit hours		 17
MINIMUM TOTAL  120


1 All courses taken from the list of major program requirements are used in the calculation of the major GPA.

2 A minimum C grade must be earned in either PHY 30020 or 40020 to fulfill writing-intensive requirement.

3 Physic electives (8 credit hours): with advisor’s permission, students may replace 3 credit hours of physics electives with PHIL 41035 Philosophy of Science or ENG 20002 Introduction to Technical Writing. Credit is not granted for both the PHY 13001/PHY 13002 and the PHY 23101/PHY 23102 series.

4 Fulfills College General Requirement.

5 One additional course taken from the Kent Core Basic Science courses in the following Arts and Sciences disciplines: Anthropology (ANTH), Biological Sciences (BSCI), Chemistry (CHEM), Geography (GEOG), Geology (GEOL) or Physics (PHY). Students may take the courses listed in the "introductory" sequences with the restrictions noted above in the Kent Core Basic Science section. The course may not be from the student's major.

6 One additional course taken from the Kent Core Social Sciences courses in the following Arts and Sciences disciplines: Anthropology (ANTH), Applied Conflict Management (CACM), Geography (GEOG), Criminology and Justice Studies (JUS), Political Science (POL), Psychology (PSYC) or Sociology (SOC). The course may not be from the student's major.

Additional Notes for the Physics major:
The following courses may not count towards the major:
PHY 11030 Seven Ideas that Shook the Universe (3)
PHY 21430 Frontiers in Astronomy (3)
PHY 21431 Frontiers in Astronomy Laboratory (1)
PHY 21040 Physics in The Entertainment and the Arts (3)   
PHY 21041 Physics in The Entertainment and the Arts Laboratory (1)

Foreign Language Note: Students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in the College of Arts and Sciences must have the equivalent of Elementary I and II in any language, plus one of the following options:

a. Intermediate I and II of the same language
b. Elementary I and II of a second language
c. Any combination of two courses from the following list:
    -Intermediate I of the same language
    -MCLS 10001 Introduction to Structural Concepts for Language Students
    -MCLS 20000 Global Literacy and Cultural Awareness
    -MCLS 20091 Seminar: Global Literacy Case Studies

All students with prior foreign language experience should take the foreign language placement test to determine the appropriate level at which to start. Some students may begin their university foreign language experience beyond the Elementary I level and will complete the requirement with fewer credit hours and fewer courses. This may be accomplished by: (1) passing a course beyond Elementary I through Intermediate II level or (2) receiving credit through Credit by Exam (CBE), the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), the Advanced Placement (AP) exam or credit through the International Baccalaureate (IB) program; or (3) being designated a "native speaker" of a non-English language (consult with the College of Arts and Sciences Advising Office for additional information). When students complete the requirement with fewer than 14 credit hours and four courses, they will complete remaining hours with general electives.