Physics, B.S.

Mission

The mission of the Bachelor of Science in Physics is to train and mentor students to become skilled scientists who will glorify God and be good stewards of His creation as they serve others in research, academia, and industry.

Degree Program

A Bachelor of Science degree in Physics is offered upon completion of the University baccalaureate requirements and the departmental specific requirements.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Bachelor of Science in Physics, students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate an understanding of the foundational principles of physics (ULO 1).
  2. Demonstrate an ability to solve quantitative, qualitative, and technical problems related to physics. (ULO 1).
  3. Demonstrate safe laboratory technique, proper use of appropriate equipment, and suitable results and data analysis (ULO 1).
  4. Obtain and use appropriate physics-related literature and resource materials (ULO 1).
  5. Summarize the key issues in science and faith and recognize the harmony possible while studying God's creation (ULO 1, 2, and 3).

Each Program Learning Outcome (PLO) listed above references at least one of the University Learning Outcomes (ULO 1, 2, 3), which may be found in the General Information section of this catalog.

GPA Requirement

To continue in the program a student is required to have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher in their first year of chemistry, physics and/or math courses taken at Biola. These courses may include: CHEM 105, CHEM 115, MATH 150, MATH 151, PHSC 132, and PHSC 134.

Integration Seminar Requirement

Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Physics degree program are required to take BBST 4653 Integration Seminar: Christianity and the Natural Sciences, or another approved Integration Seminar topic (see advisor).

Curriculum Requirements

Physics majors meet the Core Curriculum requirement of 9 credits in integration seminar, science, and mathematics within the major. The foreign language requirement is met by two years of high school study in the same language or four credits of college foreign language. ENGL 3133 is recommended.
Program Courses
CHEM 107Introduction to Chemistry 13
CHEM 105General Chemistry I3
CHEM 106General Chemistry II3
CHEM 115General Chemistry I Lab1
CHEM 116General Chemistry II Lab1
MATH 150Calculus I4
MATH 151Calculus II4
MATH 250Calculus III4
MATH 335Ordinary Differential Equations3
PHSC 124Data Analysis and Presentation1
PHSC 132General Physics I: Mechanics and Heat3
PHSC 134General Physics I Laboratory1
PHSC 233General Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism3
PHSC 237General Physics II Laboratory1
PHSC 234General Physics III: Waves, Optics and Modern Physics4
PHSC 311Computer Techniques in Science and Engineering3
PHSC 318Classical Mechanics3
PHSC 321Circuits and Instrumentation I5
PHSC 336Mathematical Methods in Physics3
PHSC 340Electrodynamics3
PHSC 412Introduction to Quantum Mechanics3
PHSC 460Capstone Seminar1
PHSC 480Advanced Physics Laboratory3
Select at least 3 credits of upper-division Physics electives.3
BBST 4653Integration Seminar: Christianity and the Natural Sciences 23
Program Course Requirements: 66-69 credits
Core Curriculum Requirements 354-58
Total Credits120-127
1

CHEM 107 is waived for students who meet the qualifications to enter CHEM 105. See the current Placement Options for CHEM 105 for more information.

2

Fulfills the BBST 465 Biblical and Theological Studies Integration Seminar requirement.

3

See Core Curriculum Program section for details.

NOTE: The course sequence table is designed by the major department and is one way that the classes will work out properly in sequence for your major. However, there are alternative or flexible ways to rotate some of the classes within the same year/level and sometimes between year levels. Please contact your major department advisor to discuss flexible alternatives in scheduling the sequence of your classes.

Taking coursework during the summer session may also be an option to accelerate your degree path.

See Core Curriculum Program section for a list of approved Core Curriculum courses.

Physics, B.S.

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BBST 103 or 1653BBST 103 or 1653
CHEM 107 (if needed per Department)3KNES 1071
ENGL 100 or 1123MATH 1514
GNST 1021PHSC 1323
MATH 1504PHSC 1341
PHSC 1241Communication (see Core Curriculum)3
 15 15
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BBST 209 or 2103BBST 209 or 2103
MATH 2504BBST 2513
PHSC 2333MATH 3353
PHSC 2371PHSC 2344
PHSC 3113PHSC 3215
Behavioral Science (see Core Curriculum)3 
 17 18
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BBST 3653BBST 300/400 Bible Elective3
CHEM 1053BBST 3543
CHEM 1151CHEM 1063
ENGL 3133 (recommended; fulfills ENGL 313 Core Curriculum requirement)3CHEM 1161
PHSC 3363HIST 200, 201, or POSC 2253
Philosophy (see Core Curriculum)3PHSC 3183
Writing Competency RequirementKNES Activity (see Core Curriculum)1
 Graduation Application due in Registrar's Office
 16 17
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BBST 300/400 Bible Elective3BBST 4653 (fulfills BBST 465 Integration Seminar requirement)3
PHSC 3403PHSC 4123
Physics Elective (upper-division)13PHSC 4601
Foreign Language (see Core Curriculum)24PHSC 4803
Literature (see Core Curriculum)3Fine Arts (see Core Curriculum)3
 16 13
Total Credits 127
1

See catalog for electives in area of specialization.

2

If you have taken 2 years of the same foreign language in high school, you have fulfilled your foreign language requirement. Otherwise, contact the Modern Languages Department for placement test instructions to fulfill the 4-credit requirement.

NOTE: The course sequence table is designed by the major department and is one way that the classes will work out properly in sequence for your major. However, there are alternative or flexible ways to rotate some of the classes within the same year/level and sometimes between year levels. Please contact your major department advisor to discuss flexible alternatives in scheduling the sequence of your classes.

Taking coursework during the summer session may also be an option to accelerate your degree path.

See Core Curriculum Program section for a list of approved Core Curriculum courses.

Physics, B.S.

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
HNRS 1014HNRS 1054
HNRS 1024HNRS 1064
CHEM 107 (if needed per Department)3KNES 1071
GNST 1021MATH 1514
MATH 1504PHSC 1323
PHSC 1241PHSC 1341
 17 17
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
HNRS 2104HNRS 2304
HNRS 2154HNRS 2314
MATH 2504MATH 3353
PHSC 2333PHSC 2344
PHSC 2371 
KNES Activity (see Core Curriculum)1 
 17 15
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
HNRS 3244HNRS 3374
HNRS 3262HNRS 3392
PHSC 3113ENGL 3133 (recommended; fulfills ENGL 313 Core Curriculum requirement)3
PHSC 3363PHSC 3183
Foreign Language (see Core Curriculum)4PHSC 3215
 16 17
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
HNRS 4434HNRS 4584
BBST 4653 (fulfills BBST 465 Integration Seminar requirement)3CHEM 1063
CHEM 1053CHEM 1161
CHEM 1151PHSC 4123
PHSC 3403PHSC 4601
PHSC Elective (upper-division)3PHSC 4803
 17 15
Total Credits 131