Admission Requirements for the Physics Department

Students must abide by all admission requirements set by the University. The study of physics requires interested students to demonstrate sufficient maturity in mathematics and physics. Preferences will be given to students who have had one year of calculus in high school and taken the Advanced Placement exam. In exceptional cases, we will accept students lacking such advanced skills if they are taking calculus courses at TSU concurrently with some non-calculus based physics courses (i.e. College Physics I & II). Such students must give evidence that they have a high intellectual maturity capability.

Transfer students must demonstrate the same level of preparation at least at the college level. All students with an interest in physics, either as a major or minor, must be registered with the department. Students lacking such evidence may be accepted into the program provided they undergo a test to measure their proficiency in math and basic physics. Once accepted into the program (i.e. approved as a physics major/minor) the student must maintain the necesary GPA as stated under the Curriculum section.

It is also important that TSU students taking physics courses not "second guess" which courses are relevant for them. They should consult with their advisor or contact the physics department.

We repeat: No student can declare to be a physics major or minor without approval from the department chair.  Such approval will measure their readiness to take physics classes.

Scholarships are available to most American students with high GPA (3.0 or better). Interested students should visit our deparment and study the different degree tracks we offer. All students are encourage to apply for interships during the summer. Each track differs from each other during the sixth, seventh, and eighth semesters.

B.S. Physics: The general B.S. in physics degree prepares students for pursuing graduate careers in physics or related disciplines (i.e. engineering, mathematics, chemistry, etc.). The core requirement are courses in scientific programming, mathematical physics/math methods, calculus based introductory physics sequence, intermediate level mechanics, intermediate level electricity and magnetism, and quantum mechanics. All courses are interleved in a supportive manner so that students can learn the advanced math required for particular physics courses. In general, students will learn more mathematics skills (i.e. applied math skills) in a physics program than in the typical undergraduate math program. The junior and senior year is spent taking specialized courses depending on areas of interest. Students are required to take math courses such as Calculus I & II, Linear Algebra, and Differential Equations. Calculus III is not required since the physics curriuculum at TSU is heavily math oriented. Below are the specific tracks offered at TSU.

B.S. Engineering Physics Track: This track offers specialized courses during the junior and senior year allowing students to become experienced in the modeling of important nano-materials. Advanced computer simulation is taught, allowing students to understand and predict properties of new materials. This track is excellent for students wishing to pursue professional careers in electronic material design, quantum chemistry, etc.

B.S. Physics Education Track: This track combines the core areas identified above with courses offered through the School of Education to produce students able to teach K-12 physics.

B.S. Health Physics Track : Health Physics is a lucrative and high demand profession where certified B.S. students can earn six figure salaries after graduation. Health Physicists are trained to monitor the environment, working conditions, and equipment in determining safety levels of radioactive exposure or contamination. Given the increasing importance of nuclear energy and nuclear reactors, as well as advanced radioactivity based medical treatments (i.e. cancer therapies, etc.) health physicists are of particular importance in medical settings. TSU is the only undergraduate health physics program in all of Houston. Excellent resources have been made available through key grants from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Scholarships are available in these areas.

B.S. Computational & Mathematical Physics Track: The physics department hosts several nationally and internationally recognized scholars/researchers in computational physics and mathematical physics. High permorming students in this track are assured of continued support at the most prestigious institutions in the nation, if they decide to continue onto graduate school. This track is excellent for the mathematics major or computer science major desiring a minor in physics.

B.S. Pre-Medical-Radiation Physics Science Track: This track combines the curriculum within the Health Physics program with specialized courses offered through the Biology department in such areas as medical radiation, etc. This track is excellent for students wishing to become medical doctors with specialization in medical physics (i.e. using advanced particle accelerators for fighting cancer, as well as other medical applications). TSU-Physics is developing a special relation with M.D.Anderson Medcial Center in Houston which will lead to postbaccalaureate opportunities for our best students.

B.S. Pre-Pharmaceutical Physics Science Track: This is a scholarship supported program targeting the most elite students with strong interests in pharmaceutical sciences. This is a 3 year track in which students take the core physics courses described above in addition to all the prepharmacy curriculum courses required by the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. The objective is to: (1) expand the intellectual opportunities of students wishing to pursue careers in pharmaceutical sciences; (2) develop unique students with significant credit hours in physics, chemistry, and biology; (3) afford such science motivated students scholarships and modest living stipends. No more than 5-10 students will be accepted every year. It is expected that at the completion of the course of student (3-years), students might pursue Ph.D. careers in chemistry, quantum chemsitry, computational drug design, pharmaceutical sciences (at TSU or elsewhere). The chosen students must have taken Advanced Placement courses in high school in such areas as calculus and physics or chemistry.

 Questions may be directed to the Department Office at: