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Physics - Standard Option - Bachelor of Science 2023-24 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 2023-24 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 CoursesFall CreditsWinter CoursesWinter CreditsSpring CoursesSpring Credits
Freshman Inquiry or Honors5Freshman Inquiry or Honors5Freshman Inquiry or Honors5
MTH 2514MTH 2524MTH 2534
CH 2214CH 2224CH 2234
CH 2271CH 2281CH 2291
Total Fall Credits14Total Winter Credits14Total Spring Credits14

Second Year

Fall CoursesFall CreditsWinter Courses Winter CreditsSpring CoursesSpring Credits
Sophomore Inquiry or Honors4Sophomore Inquiry or Honors4Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement3-4
MTH 2614MTH 2564MTH 2544
PH 211 or PH 2014PH 212 or PH 2024PH 213 or PH 2034
PH 2141PH 2151PH 2161
General Elective1  BS Arts & Letters/Social Science3-4
Total Fall Credits14Total Winter Credits13Total Spring Credits15-17

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

Third Year

Fall CoursesFall CreditsWinter CoursesWinter CreditsSpring CoursesSpring Credits
Upper Division Cluster or Honors4Upper Division Cluster or Honors4Upper Division Cluster or Honors4
PH 3114PH 3124PH 3164
PH 3144PH 3154PH 3224
Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement3-4BS Arts & Letters/Social Science3-4BS Arts & Letters/Social Science3-4
Total Fall Credits15-16Total Winter Credits15-16Total Spring Credits15-16

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

Fourth Year

Fall CoursesFall CreditsWinter CoursesWinter CreditsSpring CoursesSpring Credits
PH 4314PH 4264Senior Capstone or Honors Thesis6
PH 4XX4PH 4XX4PH 4244
Science/Technology Elective4General Elective4Science/Technology Elective4
General Elective4General Elective4  
Total Fall Credits16Total Winter Credits16Total Spring Credits14

 

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.
  • PH 4XX: Chosen from PH 411, 412, 425, 432, 434, or 464.
  • Senior Capstone or Honors Thesis: Option of Research Capstone, Winter and Spring terms (3 credits each).
  • You may need to add additional general elective credits to your plan to reach 180 total credits.

Resources for Physics - Standard Option

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