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Physics: Engineering Physics - Bachelor of Science 2022-23 Degree Map

Requirements (REQ) of a Bachelors Degree

Degree Maps show one way how you can earn a degree in four years. Talk with your advisor regularly to develop a personalized plan that works best for you, especially if you have any earned transferrable academic credit.

To graduate in four years, you need an average of 45 credits per year to reach 180 total credits, including 62 upper division (300/400 level courses) credits. You may need to take electives (courses that are not used to meet specific requirements) to reach those totals. Most courses at PSU are 4 credits each. If you transfer credit to PSU, the number of credits you need per year will vary accordingly. 

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This guide outlines the requirements in the 2022-23 catalog. Catalog year defines the specific set of requirements you need to complete a degree. Requirements occasionally change, so it may benefit you to follow a different catalog. Typically, your catalog year is the year you began at PSU, but if you are a transfer student you may be able to use an earlier catalog. Talk with your advisor about which catalog requirements make sense for you.

PSU Bulletins (2015-present) about this content

First Year

Fall Courses Fall Credits Winter Courses Winter Credits Spring Courses Spring Credits
Freshman Inquiry or Honors 5 Freshman Inquiry or Honors 5 Freshman Inquiry or Honors 5
MTH 251 4 MTH 252 4 MTH 253 4
PH 211 or 201 4 PH 212 or 202 4 PH 213 or 203 4
PH 214 1 PH 215 1 PH 216 1
Total Fall Credits 14 Total Winter Credits 14 Total Spring Credits 14

Second Year

Fall Courses Fall Credits Winter Courses  Winter Credits Spring Courses Spring Credits
Sophomore Inquiry or Honors 4 Sophomore Inquiry or Honors 4 Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement 3-4
MTH 261 4 MTH 256 4 MTH 254 4
PH 311 4 PH 312 4 PH 322 4
BS Arts & Letters/Social Science 3-4 BS Arts & Letters/Social Science 3-4 BS Arts & Letters/Social Science 3-4
Total Fall Credits 15-16 Total Winter Credits 15-16 Total Spring Credits 14-16

Second Year Milestone: Complete all Math requirements (by the end of Spring term).

Third Year

Fall Courses Fall Credits Winter Courses Winter Credits Spring Courses Spring Credits
Upper Division Cluster or Honors 4 Upper Division Cluster or Honors 4 Upper Division Cluster or Honors 4
Science/Engineering Elective 4 Science/Engineering Elective 4 Science/Engineering Elective 4
PH 314 4 PH 315 4 PH 316 4
PH 319/413 4 General Elective 4    
Total Fall Credits 16 Total Winter Credits 16 Total Spring Credits 12

Third Year Milestone: Complete PH 311 and PH 312 (by the end of Fall term).

Fourth Year

Fall Courses Fall Credits Winter Courses Winter Credits Spring Courses Spring Credits
PH 431 4 PH 426 4 Senior Capstone or Honors Thesis 6
PH 4XX Elective 4 PH 4XX Elective 4 PH 4XX Elective 4
Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement 3-4 General Elective 4 PH 4XX Elective 4
General Elective 4 General Elective 4    
Total Fall Credits 15-16 Total Winter Credits 16 Total Spring Credits 14

 

Additional Map Notes:

  • Sophomore Inquiry or Honors: For University Studies, two Sophomore Inquiry courses are required, but for Honors, three Sophomore courses are required.
  • Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement: Two courses required, each minimum 3 credits: one course must focus on the U.S. experience; the second course must center the experiences of groups under European and U.S. colonialism and imperialism beyond the United States. One must be within the School of Gender, Race and Nations or be cross-listed with one of the SGRN units: Black Studies (BSt), Chicano/Latino Studies (ChLa), Indigenous Nations Studies (NAS), or Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies (WS). If you choose a RESR course that can be applied towards another requirement, take an elective here instead.
  • Science/Engineering Elective: Choose from Chemistry, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics or Statistics.
  • PH 4XX Elective: Chosen from PH 401, 402, 411, 424, 432, 434, 440, 445, 464, 481, or 495.
  • Senior Capstone or Honors Thesis: May take Research Capstone for 3 credits in both Winter and Spring terms.
  • You may need to add additional general elective credits to your plan to reach 180 total credits.

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