The Bachelor of Arts in Physics program provides a strong foundation in the principles of physics and their applications to the world around us. With a focus on critical thinking, problem-solving and hands-on experimentation, this program prepares you for a variety of careers in science and beyond.
The aim of Kent State University’s Bachelor of Arts Degree in Physics is to provide students with a thorough understanding of fundamental physical principles, analytical techniques, and experimental methodologies. The program is designed to offer a strong foundation in both theoretical concepts and practical applications of physics, preparing graduates for diverse careers in research, education, and technology. We focus on equipping students with the critical thinking and problem-solving skills necessary to address complex scientific challenges, engage in innovative research, and pursue further specialization or advanced studies in the field.
Graduates of this program will be able to:
The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students.
First-Year Students on the Kent Campus: First-year admission policy on the Kent Campus is selective. Admission decisions are based upon cumulative grade point average, strength of high school college preparatory curriculum and grade trends. Students not admissible to the Kent Campus may be administratively referred to one of the seven regional campuses to begin their college coursework. For more information, visit the admissions website for first-year students.
First-Year Students on the Regional Campuses: First-year admission to Kent State’s campuses at Ashtabula, East Liverpool, Geauga, Salem, Stark, Trumbull and Tuscarawas, as well as the Twinsburg Academic Center, is open to anyone with a high school diploma or its equivalent. For more information on admissions, contact the Regional Campuses admissions offices.
International Students: All international students must provide proof of proficiency of the English language (unless they meet specific exceptions) through the submission of an English language proficiency test score or by completing English language classes at Kent State’s English as a Second Language Center before entering their program. For more information, visit the admissions website for international students.
Former Students: Former Kent State students who have not attended another institution since Kent State and were not academically dismissed will complete the re-enrollment process through the Financial, Billing and Enrollment Center. Former students who attended another college or university since leaving Kent State must apply for admissions as a transfer or post-undergraduate student.
Transfer Students: Students who attended an educational institution after graduating from high school or earning their GED must apply as transfer students. For more information, visit the admissions website for transfer students.
Admission policies for undergraduate students may be found in the University Catalog's Academic Policies.
Students may be required to meet certain criteria to progress in their program. Any progression requirements will be listed on the program's Coursework tab
On This Page
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Major Requirements (courses count in major GPA) | ||
| MATH 12002 | ANALYTIC GEOMETRY AND CALCULUS I (KMCR) | 5 |
| MATH 12003 | ANALYTIC GEOMETRY AND CALCULUS II | 5 |
| MATH 32051 | MATHEMATICAL METHODS IN THE PHYSICAL SCIENCES I | 4 |
| MATH 32052 | MATHEMATICAL METHODS IN THE PHYSICAL SCIENCES II | 4 |
| PHY 12000 | INTRODUCTORY PHYSICS SEMINAR (ELR) | 1 |
| PHY 23101 | GENERAL UNIVERSITY PHYSICS I (KBS) (KLAB) 1 | 5 |
| PHY 23102 | GENERAL UNIVERSITY PHYSICS II (KBS) (KLAB) 1 | 5 |
| PHY 30020 | INTERMEDIATE PHYSICS LABORATORY (WIC) 2 | 2 |
| PHY 35101 | CLASSICAL MECHANICS | 4 |
| PHY 36001 | INTRODUCTORY MODERN PHYSICS | 3 |
| PHY 36002 | APPLICATIONS OF MODERN PHYSICS | 3 |
| PHY 40020 | ADVANCED PHYSICS LABORATORY (WIC) 2 | 2 |
| PHY 45201 | ELECTROMAGNETIC THEORY | 4 |
| Physics (PHY) Upper-Division Electives (30000 or 40000 level) 3, 4 | 8 | |
| Additional Requirements (courses do not count in major GPA) | ||
| UC 10001 | FLASHES 101 | 1 |
| Foreign Language (see Foreign Language College Requirement below) | 10-16 | |
| Kent Core Composition | 6 | |
| Kent Core Humanities and Fine Arts (minimum one course from each) | 9 | |
| Kent Core Social Sciences (must be from two disciplines) | 6 | |
| Kent Core Additional | 6 | |
| General Electives (total credit hours depends on earning 120 credit hours, including 39 upper-division credit hours) | 27 | |
| Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 120 | |
Credit is not granted for both the PHY 13001/PHY 13002 and PHY 23101/PHY 23102 series.
A minimum C grade must be earned to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.
With advisor permission, students may replace 3 credit hours of physics electives with ENG 20002 or PHIL 41035.
Maximum 6 credit hours of PHY 40096 may be applied toward the major.
| Minimum Major GPA | Minimum Overall GPA |
|---|---|
| 2.000 | 2.000 |
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PHY 11030 | SEVEN IDEAS THAT SHOOK THE UNIVERSE (KBS) | 3 |
| PHY 21040 | PHYSICS IN ENTERTAINMENT AND THE ARTS (KBS) | 3 |
| PHY 21041 | PHYSICS IN ENTERTAINMENT AND THE ARTS LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) | 1 |
| PHY 21430 | FRONTIERS IN ASTRONOMY (KBS) | 3 |
| PHY 21431 | FRONTIERS IN ASTRONOMY LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) | 1 |
Students pursuing the Bachelor of Arts degree in the College of Arts and Sciences must complete the following:
All students with prior foreign language experience should take the foreign language placement test to determine the appropriate level at which to start. Some students may start beyond the Elementary I level and will complete the requirement with fewer courses. This may be accomplished in one of three ways:
Certain programs may require specific languages, limit the languages from which a student may choose or require coursework through Intermediate II. Students who plan to pursue graduate study may need a particular language proficiency.
This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this program. Students will work with their advisor to develop a sequence based on their academic goals and history. Courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.
| Semester One | Credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| ! | MATH 12002 | ANALYTIC GEOMETRY AND CALCULUS I (KMCR) | 5 |
| ! | PHY 12000 | INTRODUCTORY PHYSICS SEMINAR (ELR) | 1 |
| UC 10001 | FLASHES 101 | 1 | |
| Foreign Language | 4 | ||
| Kent Core Requirement | 3 | ||
| Credit Hours | 14 | ||
| Semester Two | |||
| ! | MATH 12003 | ANALYTIC GEOMETRY AND CALCULUS II | 5 |
| ! | PHY 23101 | GENERAL UNIVERSITY PHYSICS I (KBS) (KLAB) | 5 |
| Foreign Language | 4 | ||
| Credit Hours | 14 | ||
| Semester Three | |||
| ! | MATH 32051 | MATHEMATICAL METHODS IN THE PHYSICAL SCIENCES I | 4 |
| ! | PHY 23102 | GENERAL UNIVERSITY PHYSICS II (KBS) (KLAB) | 5 |
| Foreign Language and/or General Elective | 3 | ||
| Kent Core Requirement | 3 | ||
| Credit Hours | 15 | ||
| Semester Four | |||
| ! | MATH 32052 | MATHEMATICAL METHODS IN THE PHYSICAL SCIENCES II | 4 |
| ! | PHY 36001 | INTRODUCTORY MODERN PHYSICS | 3 |
| Foreign Language and/or General Elective | 3 | ||
| Kent Core Requirement | 3 | ||
| Kent Core Requirement | 3 | ||
| Credit Hours | 16 | ||
| Semester Five | |||
| ! | PHY 30020 | INTERMEDIATE PHYSICS LABORATORY (WIC) | 2 |
| ! | PHY 35101 | CLASSICAL MECHANICS | 4 |
| ! | PHY 36002 | APPLICATIONS OF MODERN PHYSICS | 3 |
| Kent Core Requirement | 3 | ||
| Kent Core Requirement | 3 | ||
| Credit Hours | 15 | ||
| Semester Six | |||
| Physics (PHY) Upper-Division Elective (30000 or 40000 level) | 3 | ||
| Kent Core Requirement | 3 | ||
| Kent Core Requirement | 3 | ||
| Kent Core Requirement | 3 | ||
| General Elective | 3 | ||
| Credit Hours | 15 | ||
| Semester Seven | |||
| ! | PHY 40020 | ADVANCED PHYSICS LABORATORY (WIC) | 2 |
| ! | PHY 45201 | ELECTROMAGNETIC THEORY | 4 |
| General Electives | 9 | ||
| Credit Hours | 15 | ||
| Semester Eight | |||
| Physics (PHY) Upper-Division Electives (30000 or 40000 level) | 5 | ||
| General Electives | 11 | ||
| Credit Hours | 16 | ||
| Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 120 | ||
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