the graduate school track, for students considering graduate work in physics;
the astrophysics track, for students interested in astronomy or space science;
the biophysics track, for students planning a career in a health profession;
the physics education track, for students who want to teach in grades K–12.

Degree Requirements. Students earning the bachelor of science (B.S.) degree wih a major in physics must complete all University, college, and departmental degree requirements. This includes the general education requirements, the following major requirements, all requirements for an approved minor, and sufficient other credits to total a mimimum of 120 applicable semester hours.

Admission into the major. Students are expected to formally declare a major no later than the fourth semester of full-time enrollment (or at 61 semester hours for transfer students). With the assistance of an advisor in the major department, students should complete the "Declaration of Major and Acceptance into the Major Program of Study" form.

Grade point average. A 2.0 grade point average in the major is required. The major GPA is calculated based on all courses applicable to the major that the student has attempted at UA and all work attempted applicable to the major throughout the entire higher education career.

Major courses. The major in physics requires successful completion of one of four tracks: graduate school, astrophysics, biophysics, or physics education. The individual tracks require the successful completion of the following courses:

Residency. A minimum of 12 hours of 300- and 400-level courses in the major must be earned on this campus.

Ancillary courses. Grades in ancillary courses are not computed into the major GPA. The major in physics for all tracks requires the successful completion of 23-39 semester hours of ancillary courses.

Required minor. The major requires the completion of a minor.

Additional major requirements. Students are responsible for ensuring that all University, college, and major and/or minor requirements are met. However, each student must meet with an academic advisor in the major department to be cleared for registration each semester.

Special opportunities. The department sponsors a local chapter of the Society of Physics Students. The department also has an honors program. Students are invited to apply for admission to the honors program in physics on the basis of performance in introductory courses.

Honors program in physics. Physics majors participating in the physics honors program must maintain a 3.3 GPA in physics courses and a 3.0 overall GPA. Honors students must also submit an acceptable honors thesis based on research conducted under the supervision of a faculty member in physics or astronomy and partipate in the 1-hour senior-level honors physics seminar, PH 490. Students can inquire at the Department of Physics and Astronomy office for further information.

Admission into the minor. Students are expected to formally declare a minor. With the assistance of an advisor in the minor department, students should complete the "Declaration of Minor and Acceptance into the Minor Program of Study" form during the third year of full-time enrollment.

Grade point average. A 2.0 grade point average in the minor is required. The minor GPA is calculated based on all courses applicable to the minor that the student has attempted at UA and all work attempted applicable to the minor throughout the entire higher education career.

Minor courses. The minor in physics requires successful completion of the following 18 semester hours:

Residency. A minimum of 6 semester hours of 300- and 400-level courses in the minor must be earned on this campus.

Ancillary courses. This minor does not require ancillary courses.

Additional minor requirements. Students are responsible for ensuring that all University, college, and major and/or minor requirements are met. However, each student must meet with an academic advisor in the major department to be cleared for registration each semester. If necessary, students may consult with the minor department academic advisor for questions concerning minor requirements.

Admission into the minor. Students are expected to formally declare a minor. With the assistance of an advisor in the minor department, students should complete the "Declaration of Minor and Acceptance into the Minor Program of Study" form during the third year of full-time enrollment.

Grade point average. A 2.0 grade point average in the minor is required. The minor GPA is calculated based on all courses applicable to the minor that the student has attempted at UA and all work attempted applicable to the minor throughout the entire higher education career.

Minor courses. The minor in astronomy requires successful completion of a minimum of 14 semester hours:

Ancillary courses. Grades in ancillary courses are not computed into the minor GPA. The minor in astronomy requires successful completion of the following courses outside the minor:

Residency. A minimum of 6 semester hours of 300- and 400-level courses in the minor must be earned on this campus.

Additional minor requirements. Students majoring in physics may not applyt the same physics courses toward both the physics major and the astronomy minor. They will still need 14 hours in the minor. Students are responsible for ensuring that all University, college, and major and/or minor requirements are met. However, each student must meet with an academic advisor in the major department to be cleared for registration each semester. If necessary, students may consult with the minor department academic advisor for questions concerning minor requirements.