2025-2026 Adrian College Academic Catalog

Bachelor of Science in Physics (120 Hours)

Essential Liberal Arts Courses (31 hours)

Required

CCC100Introduction to College Writing

3
CCC102Public Speaking

3
 
MATH100Mathematics for the Liberal Arts

4
Or
MATH101Intermediate Algebra

4
 
XXXX
Scientific Inquiry

4
XXXX
Experiential Learning

2

Great Conversation Series

Required

GCON110Great Conversation: The Meaning of Life

3
GCON120Great Conversation: Western Civilization

3
GCON130GCON130 - Great Conversation: Global Civilization

3
GCON140GCON140 - Great Conversation: Art

3
GCON150GCON150 - Great Conversation: What It Means to Be A U.S. Citizen

3

Physics Core (21 hours)

Required

PHYS201General Physics: Mechanics

3
PHYS202General Physics: Thermodynamics & Electromagnetism

3
PHYS203Mechanics Lab

1
PHYS204Thermodynamics & Electromagnetism Laboratory

1
PHYS301Oscillations, Waves and Light

3
PHYS303Oscillations, Waves and Light Laboratory

1
PHYS375Quantum Physics

3
PHYS38520th Century Physics

3
PHYS424Junior Physics Lab

3

Physics Electives (12 hours)

Choose at least 12 hours required from the following:

PHYS305Tools of Astronomy

3
PHYS310Computational Physics

3
PHYS315Mathematics for Physics

3
PHYS350Stellar Astrophysics

3
PHYS355Galaxies & Cosmology

3
PHYS401Classical Mechanics

3
PHYS402Mechanics II

3
PHYS403Electromagnetic Theory I

3
PHYS404Electromagnetic Theory II

3
PHYS430Topics in Physics

0
PHYS499Advanced Experimental Course

3

Physics B.S. Capstone Requirement (2 hours)

Required

PHYS455Capstone: Senior Research I

1
PHYS456Capstone: Senior Research II

1

Physics B.S. Cognates (25 hours)

Required

CS103Programming for Everyone I

3
MATH135Calculus and Analytic Geometry I

4
MATH205Calculus and Analytic Geometry II

4
MATH215Calculus and Analytic Geometry III

4
MATH305Differential Equations

3
Plus complete 7 hours of Biology, Chemistry & Biochemistry, ESS, or Geology coursework, including at least one lab

Note:

  • General elective credit hours will vary dependent upon the following degree requirements:
    • Must complete a minimum of 120 credit hours
    • Must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours of coursework at the 300 or 400-level
  • Courses requiring prerequisites and corequisites are noted on the course which can be found in the course description section of the catalog.
  • The expected first mathematics course for this degree is MATH135. Students who do not place into MATH135 based on the Mathematics Placement Policy may need to complete the following prerequisite courses listed below, in addition to the courses listed above:

    MATH101 - Intermediate Algebra (4)

    MATH115 - Pre-Calculus Mathematics (4)

    C- or higher is required for all prerequisite courses in the Department of Mathematics.