Bachelor of Science in Physics
Fairfax, USA
BSc
DURATION
4 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
USD 4,897 / per semester **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* for International student | Domestic student is 1st of February
** in-state tuition full-time (12-15 credits); USD 16,980 - out-of-state tuition full-time (12-15 credits); USD 1,803 - mandatory student fee
Fast-track counseling
By contacting the school, you'll get access to free priority counselling for any study and application questions.
Key Summary
Physical Properties and Phenomena of the Natural World.
The Bachelor of Science in Physics program prepares students for careers in education, business, or industry, where analytical skills and scientific background are advantageous, or for graduate school in physics or related areas.
The degree can be earned without a concentration, or if desired, with a concentration in Applied and Engineering Physics, Astrophysics, or Computational Physics.
Program Highlights
- Learn from student-oriented faculty members who are dynamic, well-known in their fields, and highly productive in research.
- Majors complete a research/internship/independent study experience via designated courses.
- Majors also complete a capstone course in experimental physics, observational astronomy, or computational physics, completing a project, making presentations, and learning professional-style writing.
Degree Requirements
Total credits: minimum 120
Students must complete a total of 75 credits in the major (69 credits if completing a second major), including at least 11 credits in mathematics, with a minimum GPA of 2.00.
Students must complete the coursework described below and either select a concentration or select the "BS without Concentration" option:
Physics Core Courses
- PHYS 160 University Physics I (Mason Core) 3
- PHYS 161 University Physics I Laboratory (Mason Core) 1
- PHYS 251 Introduction to Computer Techniques in Physics (Mason Core) 3
- PHYS 260 University Physics II (Mason Core) 3
- PHYS 261 University Physics II Laboratory (Mason Core) 1
- PHYS 301 Analytical Methods of Physics 3
- PHYS 303 Classical Mechanics 3
- PHYS 305 Electromagnetic Theory 3
- PHYS 307 Thermal Physics 3
- PHYS 308 Modern Physics 3
- PHYS 402 Introduction to Quantum Mechanics and Atomic Physics 3
- PHYS 416 Undergraduate Physics Review 1
Total Credits 30
Mathematics
- MATH 113 Analytic Geometry and Calculus I (Mason Core) 4
- MATH 114 Analytic Geometry and Calculus II 4
- MATH 213 Analytic Geometry and Calculus III 3
Total Credits 11
BS without Concentration
Mathematics/Computational Physics 6
Select 6 credits from the following:
- MATH 203 Linear Algebra
- MATH 214 Elementary Differential Equations
- PHYS 325 Intermediate Methods of Experimental Physics
Intermediate Laboratory 6
- PHYS 311 Instrumentation
- PHYS 312 Waves and Optics
Research, Internship, or Independent Study 3
Select 3 credits from the following:
- PHYS 326 Problems in Physics II
- PHYS 405 Honors Thesis in Physics I
- PHYS 406 Honors Thesis in Physics II
- PHYS 408 Senior Research
- PHYS 409 Physics Internship
Capstone 4
- PHYS 407 Senior Laboratory in Modern Physics (Mason Core) 1
- PHYS 410 Computational Physics Capstone (Mason Core) 1
Physics Theory 9-15
All students complete the following 9 credits:
- PHYS 306 Wave Motion and Electromagnetic Radiation
- PHYS 403 Quantum Mechanics II
- PHYS 428 Relativity
Only students who are not completing a second major must select 6 additional credits from the following:
- ASTR 210 Introduction to Astrophysics
- ASTR 328 Stars
- ASTR 403 Planetary Science
- ASTR 404 Galaxies and Cosmology
- PHYS 331 Physics of Renewable Energy
- PHYS 370 Molecular Biophysics
- PHYS 412 Solid State Physics and Applications
- PHYS 440 Nuclear and Particle Physics
- PHYS 465 Planetary Atmospheres and Ionospheres
- PHYS 475 Atmospheric Physics
Total Credits 28-34
Mason Core and Elective Credits
- In order to meet a minimum of 120 credits, this degree requires additional credits (specific credit counts by concentration are shown below), which may be applied toward any remaining Mason Core requirements (outlined below), Requirements for Bachelor's Degrees, and electives. Students are strongly encouraged to consult with their advisors to ensure that they fulfill all requirements.
- Without concentration: 45 (or 51 if completing a second major)
- PHAE concentration: 45 (or 51 if completing a second major)
- PHAP concentration: 42 (or 48 if completing a second major)
- PHCP concentration: 45 (or 51 if completing a second major)
Mason Core
Some Mason Core requirements may already be fulfilled by the major requirements listed above. Students are strongly encouraged to consult their advisors to ensure they fulfill all remaining Mason Core requirements.
Foundation Requirements
- Written Communication (ENGH 101) 3
- Oral Communication 3
- Quantitative Reasoning 3
- Information Technology and Computing 3
Exploration Requirements
- Arts 3
- Global Understanding 3
- Literature 3
- Natural Science 7
- Social and Behavioral Sciences 3
- Western Civilization/World History 3
Integration Requirements
- Written Communications (ENGH 302) 3
- Writing-Intensive 3
- Synthesis/Capstone 3
Total Credits 40
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