Department of Chemistry, Physics, and Atmospheric Sciences

Program Chart for Physics Majors

If you have ever wondered scientifically, “why” something is the way it is, or “how” can something exist or behave the way it does, then you’ve entered the realm of physics. Physics is the most fundamental of all sciences, and is the study of nature that is all around us. Physicists try to understand the most basic laws that govern the behavior of nature.

B.S. Degree in Physics

Program Chart for Physics Majors

Select a concentration to jump to its four-year plan:

3/2 Engineering Dual Degree Plan

  • Transfer from JSU after Junior Year
  • Two years at cooperating School of Engineering
  • B.S Degree in Physics from JSU after fourth year
  • Engineering Degree from cooperation institution after fifth year
  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Computer Engineering
  • Materials Science
  • Civil Engineering
  • Computer Science
  • Metallurgy Engineering
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Operations Research
  • Mineral Engineering
  • Industrial Engineering
  • Mechanical Mining
  • Nuclear Engineering
  • Applied Engineering
  • Applied Physics

General Physics

Freshman Year — General Physics
CourseTitleCredit Hours (Fall / Spring)
ENG 104, 105Composition and Literature3 / 3
HIST 101, 102History of Civilization3 / 3
MATH 231, 232Calculus I and II5 / 5
BIO 111, L111General Biology, Lab4
PHY 211, L211General Physics, Lab5
GUID 100Concepts Success in College2
PE 100 – 196Physical Education1 / 1
PHY 198, 199Physics Seminar.5 / .5
Semester Totals18.5 / 17.5
Sophomore Year — General Physics
CourseTitleCredit Hours (Fall / Spring)
ENG 205World Literature3
ENG 206Literature of Science3
CSC 117CFortran Programming3
PSY 201General Psychology3
CHEM 141, 142General Chemistry I & II3 / 3
CHML 141, 142General Chemistry Lab I, II2 / 2
PHY 212, L212General Physics, Lab5
PHY 216Modern Physics3
PHY 361Math Meth Physics Chem I3
PHY 298, 299Physics Seminar.5 / .5
Semester Totals16.5 / 17.5
Junior Year — General Physics
CourseTitleCredit Hours (Fall / Spring)
FR/GR 101, 102French or German3 / 3
HumanitiesHumanities/Fine Arts Opt3 / 3
SPCHSpeech Opt3
PHY 311, 312Theoretical Mechanics I & II3 / 3
PHY 330WMeth Experiment Physics I3
PHY 351Thermodynam Stat Physics3
PHY 362Math Meth Physics Chem II3
PHY 398, 399Physics Seminar.5 / .5
Semester Totals15.5 / 15.5
Senior Year — General Physics
CourseTitleCredit Hours (Fall / Spring)
SSSocial Science Option3
PHILPhilosophy Opt3
ElecFree Electives3 / 6
PHY 411, 412Electromagnetic Theory I & II3 / 3
PHY 422Quantum Mechanics3
PHY 430WMeth Experiment Physics II3
PHY 431Atomic Nuclear Physics3
PHY 498, 499Physics Seminar.5 / .5
Semester Totals15.5 / 15.5

Total Hours: 132

Pre-Medicine

Freshman Year — Pre-Medicine
CourseTitleCredit Hours (Fall / Spring)
ENG 104, 105Composition and Literature3 / 3
HIST 101, 102History of Civilization3 / 3
MATH 231, 232Calculus I and II5 / 5
BIO 111, L111General Biology, Lab4
PHY 211, L211General Physics, Lab5
GUID 100Concepts Success in College2
PE 100 – 196Physical Education1 / 1
PHY 198, 199Physics Seminar.5 / .5
Semester Totals18.5 / 17.5
Sophomore Year — Pre-Medicine
CourseTitleCredit Hours (Fall / Spring)
ENG 205World Literature3
ENG 206Literature of Science3
CSC 117CFortran Programming3
PSY 201General Psychology3
CHEM 141, 142General Chemistry I & II3 / 3
CHML 141, 142General Chemistry Lab I, II2 / 2
PHY 212, L212General Physics, Lab5
PHY 216Modern Physics3
PHY 361Math Meth Physics Chem I3
PHY 298, 299Physics Seminar.5 / .5
Semester Totals16.5 / 17.5
Junior Year — Pre-Medicine
CourseTitleCredit Hours (Fall / Spring)
HumanitiesHumanities/Fine Arts Opt3 / 3
SPCHSpeech Opt3
BIO 112, L112General Biology II, Lab4
CHEM 241, 242Organic Chemistry3 / 3
CHML 241, 242Organic Chemistry Lab2 / 2
PHY 330WMeth Experiment Physics I3
PHYPhysics Option3
Semester Totals15 / 14
Senior Year — Pre-Medicine
CourseTitleCredit Hours (Fall / Spring)
FR/GR 101, 102French or German3 / 3
SSSocial Science Option3
PHILPhilosophy Opt3
BIO 218, L218Comparative Anatomy4
BIOBiology Opt, Lab4
CHEM 431, L431Biochemistry4
PHY 430WMeth Experiment Physics II3
PHYPhysics Options3 / 3
Semester Totals16 / 17

Total Hours: 132

Theoretical Physics

Freshman Year — Theoretical Physics
CourseTitleCredit Hours (Fall / Spring)
ENG 104, 105Composition and Literature3 / 3
HIST 101, 102History of Civilization3 / 3
MATH 231, 232Calculus I and II5 / 5
BIO 111, L111General Biology, Lab4
PHY 211, L211General Physics, Lab5
GUID 100Concepts Success in College2
PE 100 – 196Physical Education1 / 1
PHY 198, 199Physics Seminar.5 / .5
Semester Totals18.5 / 17.5
Sophomore Year — Theoretical Physics
CourseTitleCredit Hours (Fall / Spring)
ENG 205World Literature3
ENG 206Literature of Science3
CSC 117CFortran Programming3
PSY 201General Psychology3
CHEM 141, 142General Chemistry I & II3 / 3
CHML 141, 142General Chemistry Lab I, II2 / 2
PHY 212, L212General Physics, Lab5
PHY 216Modern Physics3
PHY 361Math Meth Physics Chem I3
PHY 298, 299Physics Seminar.5 / .5
Semester Totals16.5 / 17.5
Junior Year — Theoretical Physics
CourseTitleCredit Hours (Fall / Spring)
FR/GR 101, 102French or German3 / 3
HumanitiesHumanities/Fine Arts Opt3 / 3
SPCHSpeech Opt3
MATHMathematics Opt3
PHY 311, 312Theoretical Mechanics I & II3 / 3
PHY 330WMeth Experiment Physics I3
PHY 362Math Meth Physics Chem II3
PHY 398, 399Physics Seminar.5 / .5
Semester Totals15.5 / 15.5
Senior Year — Theoretical Physics
CourseTitleCredit Hours (Fall / Spring)
SSSocial Science Option3
PHILPhilosophy Opt3
ElecFree Electives3
MATHMathematics Opt3 / 3
PHY 411, 412Electromagnetic Theory I & II3 / 3
PHY 422Quantum Mechanics3
PHY 430WMeth Experiment Physics II3
PHY 431Atomic Nuclear Physics3
PHY 498, 499Physics Seminar.5 / .5
Semester Totals15.5 / 15.5

Total Hours: 132

Atmospheric Physics

Freshman Year — Atmospheric Physics
CourseTitleCredit Hours (Fall / Spring)
ENG 104, 105Composition and Literature3 / 3
HIST 101, 102History of Civilization3 / 3
MATH 231, 232Calculus I and II5 / 5
BIO 111, L111General Biology, Lab4
PHY 211, L211General Physics, Lab5
GUID 100Concepts Success in College2
PE 100 – 196Physical Education1 / 1
PHY 198, 199Physics Seminar.5 / .5
Semester Totals18.5 / 17.5
Sophomore Year — Atmospheric Physics
CourseTitleCredit Hours (Fall / Spring)
ENG 205World Literature3
ENG 206Literature of Science3
CSC 117CFortran Programming3
PSY 201General Psychology3
CHEM 141, 142General Chemistry I & II3 / 3
CHML 141, 142General Chemistry Lab I, II2 / 2
PHY 212, L212General Physics, Lab5
PHY 216Modern Physics3
PHY 361Math Meth Physics Chem I3
PHY 298, 299Physics Seminar.5 / .5
Semester Totals16.5 / 17.5
Junior Year — Atmospheric Physics
CourseTitleCredit Hours (Fall / Spring)
FR/GR 101, 102French or German3 / 3
HumanitiesHumanities/Fine Arts Opt3 / 3
SPCHSpeech Opt3
ElectiveFree Elective3
MET 311General Meteorology3
MET 321Atmospheric Thermodynamics3
PHY 330WMeth Experiment Physics I3
PHY 362Math Meth Physics Chem II3
PHY 398, 399Physics Seminar.5 / .5
Semester Totals15.5 / 15.5
Senior Year — Atmospheric Physics
CourseTitleCredit Hours (Fall / Spring)
SSSocial Science Option3
PHILPhilosophy Opt3
MET 341Dynamic Meteorology3
MET 411Physical Meteorology3
MET 487Physical Dynamic Climatology3
PHY 311, 312Theoretical Mechanics I, II3 / 3
PHY 411, 412Electromagnetic Theory I, II3 / 3
PHY 430WMeth Experiment Physics II3
PHY 498, 499Physics Seminar.5 / .5
Semester Totals15.5 / 15.5

Total Hours: 132

Teacher Certification

Freshman Year — Teacher Certification
CourseTitleCredit Hours (Fall / Spring)
ENG 104, 105Composition and Literature3 / 3
HIST 101, 102History of Civilization3 / 3
MATH 111College Algebra3
MATH 115Plane Trigonometry3
PHY 151Intro to Physics3
CHEM 141, L141General Chemistry I, Lab5
EDCI 100Intro to Education3
GUID 100Concepts Success in College2
PE 100 – 196Physical Education1 / 1
PHY 198, 199Physics Seminar.5 / .5
Semester Totals15.5 / 18.5
Sophomore Year — Teacher Certification
CourseTitleCredit Hours (Fall / Spring)
ENG 205World Literature3
ENG 206Literature of Science3
BIO 101, L101Biological Science, Lab3
SPCHSpeech Option3
EDFL 203Foundations of Education3
MATH 231, 232Calculus I & II5 / 5
PHY 241Intro to Astronomy4
PHY 211, L211General Physics I, Lab5
PHY 298, 299Physics Seminar.5 / .5
Semester Totals18.5 / 16.5
Junior Year — Teacher Certification
CourseTitleCredit Hours (Fall / Spring)
FLForeign Language3 / 3
HumanitiesHumanities/Fine Arts Opt3
PSY 201General Psychology3
EDFL 315Human Development Learn3
EDFL 367Assess Measure Evaluation3
SPED 311Exceptional Chil Youth Sch3
PHY 212, L212General Physics II, Lab5
PHY 216CModern Physics3
PHY 330Meth Experiment Physics I3
PHY 398, 399Physics Seminar.5 / .5
Semester Totals17.5 / 15.5
Senior Year — Teacher Certification
CourseTitleCredit Hours (Fall / Spring)
HumanitiesHumanities/Fine Arts Opt3
SSSocial Science Option3
PHILPhilosophy Opt3
PHY 401WPhysics Secondary Teachers3
RE 455Diagnostic Reading Instruct3
EDCI 401Res Theory Clinical Practice3
EDCI 402Clin Internship Stud Teach12
Semester Totals18 / 12

Total Hours: 132

Applied Physics

Freshman Year — Applied Physics
CourseTitleCredit Hours (Fall / Spring)
ENG 104, 105Composition and Literature3 / 3
HIST 101, 102History of Civilization3 / 3
MATH 231, 232Calculus I and II5 / 5
BIO 111, L111General Biology, Lab4
PHY 211, L211General Physics, Lab5
GUID 100Concepts Success in College2
PE 100 – 196Physical Education1 / 1
PHY 198, 199Physics Seminar.5 / .5
Semester Totals18.5 / 17.5
Sophomore Year — Applied Physics
CourseTitleCredit Hours (Fall / Spring)
ENG 205World Literature3
ENG 206Literature of Science3
CSC 117CFortran Programming3
PSY 201General Psychology3
CHEM 141, 142General Chemistry I & II3 / 3
CHML 141, 142General Chemistry Lab I, II2 / 2
PHY 212, L212General Physics, Lab5
PHY 216Modern Physics3
PHY 361Math Meth Physics Chem I3
PHY 298, 299Physics Seminar.5 / .5
Semester Totals16.5 / 17.5
Junior Year — Applied Physics
CourseTitleCredit Hours (Fall / Spring)
HumanitiesHumanities/Fine Arts Opt3 / 3
SPCHSpeech Opt3
PHY 311, 312Theoretical Mechanics I & II3 / 3
PHY 330WMeth Experiment Physics I3
PHY 342Optics3
PHY 351Thermodynam Stat Physics3
PHY 362Math Meth Physics Chem II3
PHY 398, 399Physics Seminar.5 / .5
Semester Totals15.5 / 15.5
3/2 Engineering Dual Degree Plan

Upon completion of the Junior Year, students are eligible to transfer to a cooperating Engineering School to seek a Degree in one of the Physical Track Engineering Fields. After the Fourth Year, upon completion of 30 hours of the Engineering curriculum, students can also earn the B.S. Degree in Physics from Jackson State University provided they complete the additional courses equivalent to the following FR or GR 101, 102 (6.0), Social Science Option (3.0), Philosophy Option (3.0), and Technical Writing (3.0). In the Fifth year, students would then complete the Engineering curriculum at the chosen institution. Students electing not to transfer at the end of the Junior Year may instead choose to remain at Jackson State University to complete the Senior Year as follows and receive the B.S. Degree in Physics.

Senior Year — Applied Physics
CourseTitleCredit Hours (Fall / Spring)
FR/GR 101, 102French or German3 / 3
SSSocial Science Option3
PHILPhilosophy Opt3
PHY 411, 412Electromagnetic Theory I & II3 / 3
PHY 422Quantum Mechanics3
PHY 430WMeth Experiment Physics II3
PHY 431Atomic Nuclear Physics3
PHY 433Solid State Physics3
PHY 498, 499Physics Seminar.5 / .5
Semester Totals15.5 / 15.5

Total Hours: 132

Computational Physics

Freshman Year — Computational Physics
CourseTitleCredit Hours (Fall / Spring)
ENG 104, 105Composition and Literature3 / 3
HIST 101, 102History of Civilization3 / 3
MATH 231, 232Calculus I and II5 / 5
BIO 111, L111General Biology, Lab4
PHY 211, L211General Physics, Lab5
GUID 100Concepts Success in College2
PE 100 – 196Physical Education1 / 1
PHY 198, 199Physics Seminar.5 / .5
Semester Totals18.5 / 17.5
Sophomore Year — Computational Physics
CourseTitleCredit Hours (Fall / Spring)
ENG 205World Literature3
ENG 206Literature of Science3
CSC 117CFortran Programming3
PSY 201General Psychology3
CHEM 141, 142General Chemistry I & II3 / 3
CHML 141, 142General Chemistry Lab I, II2 / 2
PHY 212, L212General Physics, Lab5
PHY 216Modern Physics3
PHY 361Math Meth Physics Chem I3
PHY 298, 299Physics Seminar.5 / .5
Semester Totals16.5 / 17.5
Junior Year — Computational Physics
CourseTitleCredit Hours (Fall / Spring)
HumanitiesHumanities/Fine Arts Opt3 / 3
SPCHSpeech Opt3
CSC 118, 119Computer Programming3 / 3
MATH 311Abstract Algebra I3
PHY 311, 312Theoretical Mechanics I & II3 / 3
PHY 330WMeth Experiment Physics I3
PHY 362Math Meth Physics Chem II3
PHY 398, 399Physics Seminar.5 / .5
Semester Totals15.5 / 15.5
3/2 Engineering Dual Degree Plan

Upon completion of the Junior Year, students are eligible to transfer to a cooperating Engineering School to seek a Degree in one of the Physical Track Engineering Fields. After the Fourth Year, upon completion of 30 hours of the Engineering curriculum, students can also earn the B.S. Degree in Physics from Jackson State University provided they complete the additional courses equivalent to the following FR or GR 101, 102 (6.0), Social Science Option (3.0), Philosophy Option (3.0), and Technical Writing (3.0). In the Fifth year, students would then complete the Engineering curriculum at the chosen institution. Students electing not to transfer at the end of the Junior Year may instead choose to remain at Jackson State University to complete the Senior Year as follows and receive the B.S. Degree in Physics.

Senior Year — Computational Physics
CourseTitleCredit Hours (Fall / Spring)
FR/GR 101, 102French or German3 / 3
SSSocial Science Option3
PHILPhilosophy Opt3
CSC/MATHComputer Science/Math Opt3 / 3
PHY 411, 412Electromagnetic Theory I & II3 / 3
PHY 430WMeth Experiment Physics II3
PHY 461Computational Physics3
PHY 498, 499Physics Seminar.5 / .5
Semester Totals15.5 / 15.5

Total Hours: 132

Chemical Physics

Freshman Year — Chemical Physics
CourseTitleCredit Hours (Fall / Spring)
ENG 104, 105Composition and Literature3 / 3
HIST 101, 102History of Civilization3 / 3
MATH 231, 232Calculus I and II5 / 5
BIO 111, L111General Biology, Lab4
PHY 211, L211General Physics, Lab5
GUID 100Concepts Success in College2
PE 100 – 196Physical Education1 / 1
PHY 198, 199Physics Seminar.5 / .5
Semester Totals18.5 / 17.5
Sophomore Year — Chemical Physics
CourseTitleCredit Hours (Fall / Spring)
ENG 205World Literature3
ENG 206Literature of Science3
CSC 117CFortran Programming3
PSY 201General Psychology3
CHEM 141, 142General Chemistry I & II3 / 3
CHML 141, 142General Chemistry Lab I, II2 / 2
PHY 212, L212General Physics, Lab5
PHY 216Modern Physics3
PHY 361Math Meth Physics Chem I3
PHY 298, 299Physics Seminar.5 / .5
Semester Totals16.5 / 17.5
Junior Year — Chemical Physics
CourseTitleCredit Hours (Fall / Spring)
HumanitiesHumanities/Fine Arts Opt3 / 3
SPCHSpeech Opt3
CHEM 341, 342Physical Chemistry I & II3 / 3
CHML 341, 342Physical Chem Lab I & II2 / 2
PHY 311, 312Theoretical Mechanics I & II3 / 3
PHY 330WMeth Experiment Physics I3
PHY 362Math Meth Physics Chem II3
PHY 398Physics Seminar.5
Semester Totals14.5 / 17
3/2 Engineering Dual Degree Plan

Upon completion of the Junior Year, students are eligible to transfer to a cooperating Engineering School to seek a Degree in one of the Physical Track Engineering Fields. After the Fourth Year, upon completion of 30 hours of the Engineering curriculum, students can also earn the B.S. Degree in Physics from Jackson State University provided they complete the additional courses equivalent to the following FR or GR 101, 102 (6.0), Social Science Option (3.0), Philosophy Option (3.0), and Technical Writing (3.0). In the Fifth year, students would then complete the Engineering curriculum at the chosen institution. Students electing not to transfer at the end of the Junior Year may instead choose to remain at Jackson State University to complete the Senior Year as follows and receive the B.S. Degree in Physics.

Senior Year — Chemical Physics
CourseTitleCredit Hours (Fall / Spring)
FR/GR 101, 102French or German3 / 3
SSSocial Science Option3
PHILPhilosophy Opt3
CHEM 458Quantum Mechanics3
CHEM/PHYChemical Physics Opt3 / 3
PHY 411, 412Electromagnetic Theory I & II3 / 3
PHY 430WMeth Experiment Physics II3
PHY 498Physics Seminar.5
Semester Totals15.5 / 15

Total Hours: 132

Learn by Doing

Learn by Doing

Learn about the frontiers of space and time while searching for extrasolar planets and world-renowned observatories. Explore the mind-bending consequences of Einstein’s theory of gravity and curved space-time, or unlock the mysteries of our awesome Earth with field research opportunities.

“Challenging Minds, Changing Lives.”

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Research

Research

For many years, we have played a central role in new physics developments and advancements.

Want to learn more? Click below to view our advancements.

Ready to Join?

Contact

For more information, please contact us at (601) 979-7012. We look forward to meeting with you and seeing how our program can help you achieve your goals.

Location

Department of Chemistry, Physics, and Atmospheric Sciences
College of Science, Engineering & Technology
Jackson State University
P.O. Box 18750
Jackson, MS 39217

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