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DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS : Undergraduate Curriculum
Students are encouraged to peruse various physics websites that can offer them a more comprehensive view of the intellectual, professional, and employment opportunities that physics offers. Important sites include the department’s web site ; that of the American Physics Society (APS), http://www.aps.org; that of the National Society of Black Physicists (NSBP), http://www.nsbp.org; that of the National Society of Hispanic Physicists (NSHP), http://www.nshp.org.Through the department’s web site, free online courses will be made available to the general public, as they are developed. The study of physics will produce graduates with exceptional problem solving capabilities impacting all professional areas particularly those in the sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. The successful graduate will posses advanced quantitative skills in mathematics and computation, and an understanding of the fundamental laws of nature from the classical through the quantum realm. It is the program’s objective to produce competitive graduates who can either directly enter the workforce or continue onto graduate programs in any of the STEM areas.
In addition to the Concentrations (Tracks) defined below currently offered at TSU, articulation agreements are being presently developed between TSU and other institutions expanding the academic offerings available to physics majors. Of particular importance s the existing relationship with the University of Texas at Brownsville (TSU-UTB) which offers one of the most competitive programs in Astrophysics, by international standards. Their primary area of expertise is gravitational wave astronomy (supported through the Center for Gravitational Wave Astronomy, http://cgwa.phys.utb.edu/ ) , which will continue to be an important area f research for many years to come. A course of study exploiting this TSU-UTB relationship can be designed, on an individual basis for any interested students. Requirements for the B.S. in Physics are summarized below, and within each concentration area. Depending on the area of concentration, different levels of departmental review and permission are required. Students may elect either the two semester calculus based physics sequence “Physics for Engineers” (i.e. PHYS 245 and 246, with Labs PHYS 215 and 216) or the calculus based three semester sequence “University Physics I–III (i.e. PHYS 152, 251, 252 with Labs 116, 217, and 218). The second is strongly recommended, particularly for students with weak advanced mathematics backgrounds (i.e. multidimensional calculus, vector calculus, linear algebra, etc.). Each declared physics major/minor will be assigned an advisor. All semester course loads must be approved by their advisor. In all cases, students must adhere to the course sequences (i.e. prerequisites and co-requisites) enumerated within the various concentrations. This is because the curriculum is structured in a mutually supporting manner (i.e. different courses build upon each other and prepare students for future courses, particularly those placing high demands in advanced mathematics). Physics majors are not required to have a minor, this is because the scope of our program offers signifi cant immersion in advanced mathematics and scientifi c computing. Students must earn grades of “C” or better in all courses specific to the major or minor (i.e. physics and mathematics courses). During the fifth semester, all students must take one semester of quantum mechanics and one semester of electricity and magnetism. The Concentration areas normally begin around the fifth semester, and have varying academic standards for admission and continuation, as indicated previously. There is no exit exam for seniors. For each of the areas of concentration (i.e. Tracks), Degree plans for completing the B.S. in physics in four, five, and six years are provided. The exception to this is the track for Pre-Pharmaceutical Physical Sciences, which is only for the most competitive student able to assume a 19-20 credit limit each semester, for six consecutive semesters. The real intent of this track is to expand the professional and research based opportunities for the best students considering admission into the Pre-pharmacy program at TSU. Students accepted into this program cannot work off campus during the normal academic year; and they must provide evidence that they can adhere to a rigorous study plan. A four, five, six, year version of this track is also provided. It is the intention of the physics program to offer online versions of all courses, as well as evening sections, when necessary. This should enable students to prosecute their studies, and graduate on time. Students transferring to the University are cautioned that Physics credits transferred from other colleges and universities must be evaluated by the Department before being used to fulfill requirements for the major/minor in Physics. These credits may or may not be acceptable. If these credits are judged to be unacceptable, students may be able to use them to fulfill core curriculum requirements, elective requirements, or both. Questions may be directed to the Department Office at:
Phone: 713-313-1850 or Phone: 713-313-7980 Professor and Chair: Carlos R. Handy, Ph.D. E-mail: handycr@tsu.edu Administrative assistant : Dr. Clancy Weeks E-mail: weekscl@tsu.edu
Address: Department of Physics
Texas Southern University 3100 Cleburne Avenue Houston, TX 77004
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3100 Cleburne Street, Houston, TX 77004
Phone: 713-313-7011