Undergraduate Studies

The course requirements for a physics degree from Mississippi State University includes University, College of Arts and Sciences, and Department of Physics and Astronomy requirements. Before you will be allowed to graduate, all of these requirements must be met. Graduation requires at least 136 hours with at least 272 quality points. In addition, the student is required to maintain a C average in his/her physics courses. The following is a list of the course requirements which must be met.

English Composition: Two three hour courses taken from EN 1103, 1163, or 1183 (one course) and EN 1113, 1173, or 1193 (one course).

Foreign Language: A four course sequence (12-14 hours) of FL 1114, 1124, 2133, and 2143, or equivalent, in one foreign language.

Public Speaking: One three hour course chosen from CO 1003 or 1093. (Air Force ROTC students may substitute AS 3133 and AS 3143.)

Fine Arts: One three hour course chosen from ARC(1013, 2313, 2323, 3112, 3212), or ART(1013, 1023, 1113, 1193, 2143), or CO 1503, or MU(2213, 2323), or MUE 1113, or PE 1123.

Humanities: Two three hour courses, one in English Literature EN(2203, 2213, 2383, 2223, 2393, 2243, 2253, 2273, 2283) and one in History HI(1063, 1073, 1083, 1163, 1173, 1183, 1213, 1223, 2313).

Social and Behavioral Sciences: Two three hour courses, each from a different discipline. Courses may be chosen from AN(1103, 1193, 2303, 2133, 2533), CO(1223, 1403), EC(2113, 2183, 2123, 2193), GR(1123, 2003, 3113, 4123, 4203), PS(1113, 1193, 1313, 1393, 1513, 1593, 2713), PSY(1013, 1093, 2153, 2173), or SO(1003, 1093, 2403, 2003).

Computer Literacy: One three hour course. Physics Department requires CS 1223.

Junior/Senior Writing: One three hour course. Physics Department requires EN 3103.

Mathematics and Statistics: Two three hour courses. This is satisfied by the physics Department requirements to complete MA 1713, 1723, 2733, 2743, 2913, and 3353. The Physics and Applied Physics curricula also require MA 2113, while the Physics/Pre-Medical curriculum allows substituting MA 4823 for MA 3353.

Natural Sciences: Three courses, two of which must include a laboratory component. This is satisfied by the Physics Department requirements which vary slightly depending upon which curriculum is followed. However, certain basic courses in Chemistry CH(2211, 2213, 2221, 2223) and Physics PH(1001, 1063, 2213, 2223, 2233, 4113, 3613, 4213, 4323, 4142, 4513, 4713, 4152). Additional courses are required as indicated in the individual curricula.