Mar 28, 2024  
2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog [NOTE!!!! THIS IS AN ARCHIVED CATALOG. FOR THE CURRENT CATALOG, GO TO CATALOG.NIU.EDU]

Physics (B.S.)


The student learning outcomes for this degree are located at http://www.niu.edu/assessment/degree_outcomes.shtml.

Check departmental information for any additional requirements.

Emphasis 1. Professional Physics for Graduate Study


Requirements in Department (44)


Three of the following (9)


Note: PHYS 400 and PHYS 470 are recommended for students intending to enter graduate school in physics.

Requirements outside Department (23)


Please note corequisite information in courses below.

One of the following (4)


Total Hours for Emphasis 1, Professional Physics for Graduate Study: 76


Emphasis 2. Secondary School Teaching


Important: Students wishing to receive Illinois State licensure and/or endorsement to teach physics should also refer carefully to the section below labeled Educator Licensure for additional requirements.

Requirements outside Department (23)


Please note corequisite information in courses below.

Total Hours for Emphasis 2, Secondary School Teaching: 60


Emphasis 3. Applied Physics


Requirements outside Department (23)


Please note corequisite information in courses below.

One of the following (4)


Other Requirements (14-16)


Electives from physics and other related sciences. At least 7 semester hours must be 400-level PHYS courses, and the rest of the elective courses should be 300- and 400-level courses in physics and/or other STEM subjects. PHYS 498, 499, and 400-level teacher licensure courses cannot be used as the elective courses. Prior to taking elective courses for the Applied Physics emphasis, students must consult with the Director of Undergraduate Studies to select the appropriate sequence of courses to constitute a track of study. The following are examples of areas of applied physics: acoustics, computational physics, geophysics, atmospheric physics, astronomy/astrophysics, health/medical physics, beam physics, engineering physics, or materials physics. List of courses appropriate for each of these sample tracks are available on the department web site. Other tracks can also be developed in consultation with the Director of Undergraduate Studies.

Total Hours for Emphasis 3, Applied Physics: 69-71