Requirements for the major

45 Total Hours

I. Departmental Requirements
  1. At least 30 credit hours in Physics, including the following or equivalent courses: PHYS-1111, PHYS-1112, PHYS-1311 (or PHYS-1309), PHYS-1312 (or PHYS-1310), PHYS-2231, PHYS-3322, PHYS-3323, PHYS-4221 or PHYS-4231, and at least four of the following courses:  PHYS-3321, PHYS-3324, PHYS-3325, PHYS-3333, PHYS-3335, PHYS-3412, PHYS-4350, PHYS-4395 (at least one must be either PHYS-3333 or PHYS-3335).
  2. Math requirements:
  3. Computer Science Requirements:  
  4. Seminar Requirement:  
    • Four semesters of PHYS-2094.  
    • Students double majoring in either MATH or CSCI may substitute up to 2 semesters of MATH-2094 or CSCI-2094.
  5. Completion of Wagner Senior Assessment Exam in fall of the senior year.
II. University Requirements

Completion of all other required elements of the Pathways curriculum and at least 120 credit hours.

The above are minimal requirements allowing students to supplement their programs with those courses best suited to fulfill their particular needs and to further their professional growth. 


Teacher Certification in Physics

Students completing either the B.A. or B.S. physics major have two options to receive certification to teach physics in grades 8-12 in Texas through Trinity’s Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program. Students can pursue (1) the Grades 8-12 Physics/Mathematics certification, which would enable a graduate to teach physics and mathematics or (2) the Grades 8-12 Physical Science certification, which would enable a graduate to teach physics as well as chemistry and 8th grade general science (this would require coursework in chemistry and geosciences in addition to the physics major). Both options require undergraduate education coursework as preparation for entry into the MAT program and to fulfill state requirements. Students who complete Trinity’s 5 year Teacher Education Program will earn both a Bachelor’s degree in Physics and Master of Arts in Teaching as well as teacher certification. For more information and specific requirements, including middle school and elementary science teaching opportunities as well, see the Education Department’s program description in the course catalog. 

Requirements


Full acceptance in the major is granted if the following requirements are met at the time of application:

  1. Completion of PHYS-1111, PHYS-1112, PHYS-1311 (or PHYS-1309), PHYS-1312 (or PHYS-1310), PHYS-3323 with grades of C or better;
  2. Completion of MATH-1311, MATH-1312 with grades of C or better; and
  3. A grade point average of at least 2.0 on all university work.

Provisional acceptance in the major is granted if it is apparent that the applicant can meet the requirements for full acceptance by the end of the semester in which the application is made.

Transfer students will be accepted provisionally pending completion at Trinity of at least one upper division course with a grade of C or better. 

Contact Us


 Department Website


  Dennis Ugolini, Ph.D. (Acting Chair — Summer '23)

  Jennifer Steele, Ph.D. (Chair — Fall '23 and Spring '24)


 

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