Physics

Program Learning Outcomes

  1. The student will solve problems using the principles of Classical Mechanics (particles, rigid bodies, waves).
  2. The student will solve problems using the basic concepts of Thermodynamics.
  3. The student will solve problems using the principles of electromagnetics.
  4. The student will apply the principles of optics.
  5. The student will perform experiments using basic techniques and will communicate analysis in written reports.
  6. The student will apply calculus-based mathematical skills to solve physics related problems.

TSI Liable

Field of Study - 18 credit hours
MATH 2414Calculus II4
MATH 2415Calculus III4
MATH 2420Differential Equations4
PHYS 2426University Physics II4
COSC 1436Programming Fundamentals I 14
Geoscience/Geo-Spatial Science Track - 18 credit hours
MATH 2414Calculus II4
GEOL 1403Physical Geology4
PHYS 2425University Physics I4
GEOL 1404Historical Geology 24
PHYS 2426University Physics II4
or COSC 1436 Programming Fundamentals I
Students should speak with an advisor and check with the institution they intend to transfer in order to choose either PHYS 2426 or COSC 1436 for this track.
Environmental Science Track - 18 credit hours
MATH 2414Calculus II4
GEOL 1403Physical Geology4
PHYS 2425University Physics I4
PHYS 2426University Physics II4
GEOL 1404Historical Geology 24
Geophysics Track - 18 credit hours
MATH 2414Calculus II4
GEOL 1403Physical Geology4
PHYS 2425University Physics I4
PHYS 2426University Physics II4
GEOL 1404Historical Geology 24
STC Core Curriculum - 42 credit hours
Complete 42 credit hours of required Core Curriculum including the following:42
Life and Physical Sciences
General Chemistry I 3
University Physics I 3
Mathematics
Calculus I
Total Credit Hours60
1

COSC 1436 Programming Fundamentals I is scheduled for 2 credit hours of field of study and 2 credit hours of general education requirements (Component Area Option).

2

GEOL 1404 Historical Geology is scheduled for 2 credit hours of field of study and 2 credit hours of general education requirements (Component Area Option).

3

Physics majors pursuing the General track are required to take the sequence CHEM 1411 General Chemistry I and PHYS 2425 University Physics I to fulfill the Life and Physical Sciences component of the Core Curriculum. Physics majors pursuing the Geophysics track are required to take the sequence CHEM 1411 General Chemistry I and CHEM 1412 General Chemistry II to fulfill the Life and Physical Sciences component of the Core Curriculum. Physics majors pursuing the Environmental Science track are required to take CHEM 1411 General Chemistry I and BIOL 1406 Biology for Science Majors I to fulfill the Life and Physical Sciences component of the Core Curriculum. Physics majors pursuing the Geosciences/Geo-Spatial track are required to take CHEM 1411 General Chemistry I and GEOL 1445 Oceanography  (or GEOL 1447 Meteorology) to fulfill the Life and Physical Sciences component of the Core Curriculum. 

TSI Liable

Recommended Course Sequence - General Track

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredit Hours
MATH 2413 Calculus I 4
COSC 1436 Programming Fundamentals I 1 4
ENGL 1301 Composition I 3
Creative Arts Elective - Core Curriculum 3
 Credit Hours14
Spring
ENGL 1302 Composition II - Rhetoric 3
CHEM 1411 General Chemistry I 4
MATH 2414 Calculus II 4
HIST 1301
United States History I
or Mexican-American History I
3
 Credit Hours14
Summer
HIST 1302
United States History II
or Mexican-American History II
3
 Credit Hours3
Second Year
Fall
MATH 2420 Differential Equations 4
GOVT 2305 Federal Government 3
Social and Behavioral Sciences Elective - Core Curriculum 3
Recommended:
General Psychology
PHYS 2425 University Physics I 4
 Credit Hours14
Spring
GOVT 2306 Texas Government 3
PHYS 2426 University Physics II 4
MATH 2415 Calculus III 4
Component Area Option - Core Curriculum 1-3
 Credit Hours12-14
Summer
Language, Philosophy & Culture Elective - Core Curriculum 3
 Credit Hours3
 Total Credit Hours60-62
1

COSC 1436 Programming Fundamentals I is scheduled for 2 credit hours of field of study and 2 credit hours of general education requirements (Component Area Option).

TSI Liable

Recommended Course Sequence - Geoscience/Geo-Spatial Science Track

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredit Hours
MATH 2413 Calculus I 4
GEOL 1403 Physical Geology 4
ENGL 1301 Composition I 3
Creative Arts Elective - Core Curriculum 3
 Credit Hours14
Spring
ENGL 1302 Composition II - Rhetoric 3
CHEM 1411 General Chemistry I 4
MATH 2414 Calculus II 4
HIST 1301
United States History I
or Mexican-American History I
3
 Credit Hours14
Summer
HIST 1302
United States History II
or Mexican-American History II
3
 Credit Hours3
Second Year
Fall
PHYS 2425 University Physics I 4
GEOL 1404 Historical Geology 1 4
GOVT 2305 Federal Government 3
Social and Behavioral Sciences Elective - Core Curriculum 3
Recommended:
General Psychology
 Credit Hours14
Spring
GOVT 2306 Texas Government 3
PHYS 2426
University Physics II 2
or Programming Fundamentals I
4
GEOL 1445
Oceanography
or Meteorology
4
Component Area Option - Core Curriculum 1-3
 Credit Hours12-14
Summer
Language, Philosophy & Culture Elective - Core Curriculum 3
 Credit Hours3
 Total Credit Hours60-62
1

GEOL 1404 Historical Geology is scheduled for 2 credit hours of field of study and 2 credit hours of general education requirements (Component Area Option).

2

Students should speak with an advisor and check with the institution they intend to transfer in order to choose the best option. 

TSI Liable

Recommended Course Sequence - Environmental Science Track

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredit Hours
MATH 2413 Calculus I 4
GEOL 1403 Physical Geology 4
ENGL 1301 Composition I 3
Creative Arts Elective - Core Curriculum 3
 Credit Hours14
Spring
ENGL 1302 Composition II - Rhetoric 3
CHEM 1411 General Chemistry I 4
MATH 2414 Calculus II 4
HIST 1301
United States History I
or Mexican-American History I
3
 Credit Hours14
Summer
HIST 1302
United States History II
or Mexican-American History II
3
 Credit Hours3
Second Year
Fall
PHYS 2425 University Physics I 4
BIOL 1406 Biology for Science Majors I 4
GOVT 2305 Federal Government 3
Social and Behavioral Sciences Elective - Core Curriculum 3
Recommended:
General Psychology
 Credit Hours14
Spring
GOVT 2306 Texas Government 3
PHYS 2426 University Physics II 4
GEOL 1404 Historical Geology 1 4
Component Area Option - Core Curriculum 1-3
 Credit Hours12-14
Summer
Language, Philosophy & Culture Elective - Core Curriculum 3
 Credit Hours3
 Total Credit Hours60-62
1

GEOL 1404 Historical Geology is scheduled for 2 credit hours of field of study and 2 credit hours of general education requirements (Component Area Option).

TSI Liable

Recommended Course Sequence - Geophysics Track

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredit Hours
MATH 2413 Calculus I 4
GEOL 1403 Physical Geology 4
ENGL 1301 Composition I 3
Creative Arts Elective - Core Curriculum 3
 Credit Hours14
Spring
ENGL 1302 Composition II - Rhetoric 3
CHEM 1411 General Chemistry I 4
MATH 2414 Calculus II 4
HIST 1301
United States History I
or Mexican-American History I
3
 Credit Hours14
Summer
HIST 1302
United States History II
or Mexican-American History II
3
 Credit Hours3
Second Year
Fall
PHYS 2425 University Physics I 4
CHEM 1412 General Chemistry II 4
GOVT 2305 Federal Government 3
Social and Behavioral Sciences Elective - Core Curriculum 3
Recommended:
General Psychology
 Credit Hours14
Spring
GOVT 2306 Texas Government 3
PHYS 2426 University Physics II 4
GEOL 1404 Historical Geology 1 4
Component Area Option - Core Curriculum 1-3
 Credit Hours12-14
Summer
Language, Philosophy & Culture Elective - Core Curriculum 3
 Credit Hours3
 Total Credit Hours60-62
1

 GEOL 1404 Historical Geology is scheduled for 2 credit hours of field of study and 2 credit hours of general education requirements (Component Area Option).