Program Requirements
The BS curriculum is directed toward preparing students for graduate study ultimately leading to the PhD degree or toward research and development work in industrial or governmental laboratories. It also provides a good background for graduate study or industrial work in many areas or engineering physics and applied science.
Emphasis Area
Students who select the Bachelor of Science degree in Physics with an interdisciplinary emphasis supplement their study of physics with core courses in complementary fields of study. This emphasis area is an excellent option for students preparing for direct entry into the job market or for medical, law or business school. Depending on a student’s academic goals, it may also be a good option for students preparing for graduate school or for those pursuing both a major and minor or a double major. Because students choosing the interdisciplinary emphasis have a wide variety of academic and career goals, and because the interdisciplinary emphasis requirements cannot be tracked via Clemson’s degree audit system, detailed departmental advising is vital. Students, in consultation with their advisor, must select a technical or professional emphasis area subject to departmental approval no later than the end of the second semester of their sophomore year. Additionally, all potential prerequisite courses for a minor should be completed in the student’s first or second year. For additional information, please visit http://www.clemson.edu/science/departments/physics-astro/.
Note: Student transcripts record a Bachelor of Science in Physics; the interdisciplinary emphasis area is not included on transcripts.
Total Semester Hours: 120
1 Other introductory courses, such as CPSC 1010 or CPSC 1020 , may be chosen with departmental approval.
2 See General Education Requirements . Three of these credit hours must also satisfy the Science and Technology in Society Requirement.
3 See advisor. Twenty-one credit hours, with at least nine at the 3000-4000 level, are required. Courses and emphasis area must be approved by the department. Note: Requirements for a minor may be satisfied with these courses. Emphasis area and courses of study must be approved by the end of sophomore year.
4 ENGL 3040 , ENGL 3120 , ENGL 3140 , ENGL 3150 , ENGL 3450 , ENGL 3460 , ENGL 3480 , ML 4020 or THEA 3470
5 Students must complete through 2020 in a modern language. See Modern Languages Requirement at Clemson University statement in Academic Regulations .
6 Any 2000-4000-level course in ASTR, BIOL, CH, ENSP, GEOL, PHYS or STS. Other science courses require departmental approval.
7 Students may select an approved synthesis or capstone course or directed research in their emphasis area. Students in the honors program must complete a senior thesis in physics.
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