BS in Physics with specialization in Interdisciplinary Physics

Below is a sample 4-year plan for students pursuing the BS in Physics with Interdisciplinary specialization. To view the list of courses approved to fulfill KU Core Goals, please visit the KU Core website.

Freshman
FallHoursSpringHours
MATH 125 (Goal 1.2 Quantitative Literacy, Major Requirement)4MATH 126 (Major Requirement)4
PHSX 150 (Major Requirement)0.5PHSX 213 or 211 and 216 (Goal 1.1 Critical Thinking, Major Requirement)5
CHEM 130, 150, 170, or 190 and 191 (Goal 3 Natural Science, Major Requirement)5Goal 2.1 Written Communication (2 of 2)3
Goal 2.1 Written Communication (1 of 2)3Goal 3 Social Science3
Goal 2.2 Communication3 
 15.5 15
Sophomore
FallHoursSpringHours
PHSX 214 or 212 and 236 (Major Requirement)4MATH 320 (Major Requirement)3
MATH 290 (Major Requirement)2Chemistry, Biology, or Geology Elective (Major Requirement)3
MATH 127 (Major Requirement)4PHSX 313 (Major Requirement)3
EECS 138 or 168 (Major Requirement)43PHSX 316 (Major Requirement)1
Goal 3 Arts and Humanities3PHSX 3153
 PHSX 503 or 501 (Major Requirement)1
 16 14
Junior
FallHoursSpringHours
PHSX 521 (Major Requirement)3PHSX 536 or 621 (Major Requirement)4
Math Elective (Major Requirement)3PHSX 611 (Major Requirement)3
Goal 4.1 US Diversity3Goal 4.2 Global Awareness3
Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours23Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours23
Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours23Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours23
 15 16
Senior
FallHoursSpringHours
PHSX 531 (Major Requirement)3PHSX 631, 621, or 536 (Major Requirement)3
PHSX 616 or 711 (Major Requirement)4Goal 6 Integration & Creativity (PHSX 503 or 501 recommended)13
PHSX 671 (Major Requirement)3Interdisciplinary Science Elective (Major Requirement)3
Interdisciplinary Science Elective (Major Requirement)3PHSX Elective (Major Requirement)3
Goal 5 Social Responsibility and Ethics33Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours21
 16 13
Total Hours 120.5
1

It is recommended that students fulfill Goal 6 with a course from within their major.  PHSX 503 Undergraduate Research  counts toward KU Core Goal 6 if taken for at least 3 credit hours.

2

Hour requirements (incl. 45 jr/sr hrs) are typically met through KU core, degree, major, second area of study and/or elective hours.  Students completing the BGS with a major must choose a secondary area of study.  Individual degree mapping is done in partnership with your advisor. 

3

KU Core Goal 5 can be completed by completing the approved course sequence - PHSX 150, PHSX 216 (or PHSX 213 or PHSX 114), PHSX 236 (or PHSX 214 or PHSX 115), PHSX 316 and PHSX 516.

4

Course offering using the python programming language recommended.

Please note:

All students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences are required to complete 120 total hours of which 45 hours must be at the Jr/Sr (300+) level.

The same course cannot be used to fulfill more than one KU Core Goal. However, overlap of a KU Core course with a major or degree-specific requirement is allowed. Overlapping is recommended to allow more opportunities to explore other majors and/or minors.