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Columbia Campus    
2019-2020 Undergraduate Studies Bulletin 
    
 
  Apr 18, 2024
 
2019-2020 Undergraduate Studies Bulletin

Physics, BS


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Learning Outcomes

  • Students will demonstrate an understanding of the physical phenomena and the use of scientific methods and theories.
  • Students will demonstrate their ability to communicate effectively through written reports, which exhibit their ability to comprehend, analyze, and interrogate critically.
  • Students will demonstrate their ability to communicate effectively through oral presentations, which exhibit their ability to comprehend, analyze, interrogate critically and present their work to others.
  • Students will demonstrate effective use of computers and other technology.

Transfer Requirements

In addition to the minimum University and College of Arts and Sciences requirements, a student seeking to transfer to the physics major from another program within the University, or from another accredited college or university, is required to have earned a grade of “C” or higher in MATH 141.  

Note: An AP or IB exam score that provides credit for MATH 141 also satisfies this requirement.

Major Map

A major map is a layout of required courses in a given program of study, including critical courses and suggested course sequences to ensure a clear path to graduation.

Major maps are only a suggested or recommended sequence of courses required in a program of study. Please contact your academic advisor for assistance in the application of specific coursework to a program of study and course selection and planning for upcoming semesters.

 
Physics, BS Physics, BS Physics, BS  
No Concentration Engineering Physics (Electrical Option) Concentration Engineering Physics (Mechanical Option) Concentration  

 


Degree Requirements (120 hours)

Program of Study

  1. Carolina Core (33-45 hours)
  2. College Requirements (16-19 hours)
  3. Program Requirements (24-39 hours)
  4. Major Requirements (32-54 hours)

1. Carolina Core (33-45 hours)


Effective, Engaged, and Persuasive Communication: Written — CMW (6 hours)

must be passed with a grade of C or higher

Analytical Reasoning and Problem Solving — ARP (8 hours) 

must be passed with a grade of C or higher

Scientific Literacy — SCI (7 hours)

must be passed with a grade of C or higher

Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Foreign Language — GFL (0-6 hours)

Demonstration of proficiency in one foreign language equivalent to the minimal passing grade on the exit examination in the 122 course is required. Students can demonstrate this proficiency by successfully completing Phase II of the Proficiency Test or by successfully completing the 122 course, including the exit exam administered as part of that course.

It is strongly recommended that students continuing the study of a foreign language begin college-level study of that language in their first semester and continue in that language until their particular foreign language requirement is completed.

Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Historical Thinking — GHS (3 hours) 

Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Social Sciences — GSS (3 hours) 

Aesthetic and Interpretive Understanding —  AIU (3 hours)

Effective, Engaged, and Persuasive Communication: Spoken Component* — CMS (0-3 hours)

Information Literacy* —  INF (0-3 hours)

Values, Ethics, and Social Responsibility* — VSR (0-3 hours)

*Carolina Core Stand Alone or Overlay Eligible Requirements — Overlay-approved courses offer students the option of meeting two Carolina Core components in a single course. A maximum of two overlays is allowed. The total Carolina Core credit hours must add up to a minimum of 31 hours. Some programs may have a higher number of minimum Carolina Core hours due to specified requirements.

2. College Requirements (16-19 hours)


Foreign Language (0-3 hours) 

  • only if needed to meet 122-level proficiency

Analytical Reasoning (7 hours)

must be passed with a grade of C or higher

History (3 hours) 

The College of Arts and Sciences requires one U.S. History and one non-U.S. History course. Whichever is not fulfilled through the Carolina Core GHS requirement must be fulfilled through this college requirement. Accordingly, please select one of the following:

  • One Carolina Core GHS-approved course primarily focused on U.S. History: HIST 111 , 112 , 214 , or another GHS-approved course determined by the College of Arts and Science to fit this geographic category.

OR

  • One Carolina Core GHS-approved course primarily focused on non-U.S. History: HIST 101 , 102 , 104 , 105 , 106 , 108 , 109 , GERM 280 , FAMS 300 , or another GHS-approved course determined by the College of Arts and Sciences to fit this geographic category.

Social Science and Fine Arts or Humanities (6 hours)

3. Program Requirements (24-39 hours)


Supporting Courses (24 hours)

must be passed with a grade of C or higher

Cognate

The required mathematics courses satisfy the cognate requirement.

Electives (0-15 hours)

No courses of a remedial, developmental, skill-acquiring, or vocational nature may apply as credit toward degrees in the College of Arts and Sciences. The College of Arts and Sciences allows the use of the Pass-Fail option on elective courses. Further clarification on inapplicable courses can be obtained from the College of Arts and Sciences.

4. Major Requirements (32-54 hours)


A minimum grade of C is required in all major courses.

Major Courses (32 hours)

Engineering Physics Concentration (52-54 hours) optional

In order to select the Engineering Physics Concentration a student must have achieved a minimum overall GPA of 2.5 with at least 15 hours taken at USC-Columbia. In addition, the student must have passed MATH 141 with a grade of “C” or higher. (An AP or IB exam score that provides credit for MATH 141 also satisfies this requirement.)

Select either the Electrical or Mechanical Option.

Electrical Option (52-53 hours)
 Mechanical Option (52-54 hours)

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