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:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the foundational principles of physics (ULO 1).
- Demonstrate an ability to solve quantitative, qualitative, and technical problems related to physics. (ULO 1).
- Demonstrate safe laboratory technique, proper use of appropriate equipment, and suitable results and data analysis (ULO 1).
- Obtain and use appropriate physics-related literature and resource materials (ULO 1).
- 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
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 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 107 | Introduction to Chemistry 1 | 3 |
| CHEM 105 | General Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 106 | General Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 115 | General Chemistry I Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 116 | General Chemistry II Lab | 1 |
| MATH 150 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MATH 151 | Calculus II | 4 |
| MATH 250 | Calculus III | 4 |
| MATH 335 | Ordinary Differential Equations | 3 |
| PHSC 124 | Data Analysis and Presentation | 1 |
| PHSC 132 | General Physics I: Mechanics and Heat | 3 |
| PHSC 134 | General Physics I Laboratory | 1 |
| PHSC 233 | General Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism | 3 |
| PHSC 237 | General Physics II Laboratory | 1 |
| PHSC 234 | General Physics III: Waves, Optics and Modern Physics | 4 |
| PHSC 311 | Computer Techniques in Science and Engineering | 3 |
| PHSC 318 | Classical Mechanics | 3 |
| PHSC 321 | Circuits and Instrumentation I | 5 |
| PHSC 336 | Mathematical Methods in Physics | 3 |
| PHSC 340 | Electrodynamics | 3 |
| PHSC 412 | Introduction to Quantum Mechanics | 3 |
| PHSC 460 | Capstone Seminar | 1 |
| PHSC 480 | Advanced Physics Laboratory | 3 |
| Select at least 3 credits of upper-division Physics electives. | 3 | |
| BBST 4653 | Integration Seminar: Christianity and the Natural Sciences 2 | 3 |
| Program Course Requirements: 66-69 credits | ||
| Core Curriculum Requirements 3 | 54-58 | |
| Total Credits | 120-127 | |
- 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 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| BBST 103 or 165 | 3 | BBST 103 or 165 | 3 |
| CHEM 107 (if needed per Department) | 3 | KNES 107 | 1 |
| ENGL 100 or 112 | 3 | MATH 151 | 4 |
| GNST 102 | 1 | PHSC 132 | 3 |
| MATH 150 | 4 | PHSC 134 | 1 |
| PHSC 124 | 1 | Communication (see Core Curriculum) | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| BBST 209 or 210 | 3 | BBST 209 or 210 | 3 |
| MATH 250 | 4 | BBST 251 | 3 |
| PHSC 233 | 3 | MATH 335 | 3 |
| PHSC 237 | 1 | PHSC 234 | 4 |
| PHSC 311 | 3 | PHSC 321 | 5 |
| Behavioral Science (see Core Curriculum) | 3 | ||
| 17 | 18 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| BBST 365 | 3 | BBST 300/400 Bible Elective | 3 |
| CHEM 105 | 3 | BBST 354 | 3 |
| CHEM 115 | 1 | CHEM 106 | 3 |
| ENGL 3133 (recommended; fulfills ENGL 313 Core Curriculum requirement) | 3 | CHEM 116 | 1 |
| PHSC 336 | 3 | HIST 200, 201, or POSC 225 | 3 |
| Philosophy (see Core Curriculum) | 3 | PHSC 318 | 3 |
| Writing Competency Requirement | KNES Activity (see Core Curriculum) | 1 | |
| Graduation Application due in Registrar's Office | |||
| 16 | 17 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| BBST 300/400 Bible Elective | 3 | BBST 4653 (fulfills BBST 465 Integration Seminar requirement) | 3 |
| PHSC 340 | 3 | PHSC 412 | 3 |
| Physics Elective (upper-division)1 | 3 | PHSC 460 | 1 |
| Foreign Language (see Core Curriculum)2 | 4 | PHSC 480 | 3 |
| Literature (see Core Curriculum) | 3 | Fine 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 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| HNRS 101 | 4 | HNRS 105 | 4 |
| HNRS 102 | 4 | HNRS 106 | 4 |
| CHEM 107 (if needed per Department) | 3 | KNES 107 | 1 |
| GNST 102 | 1 | MATH 151 | 4 |
| MATH 150 | 4 | PHSC 132 | 3 |
| PHSC 124 | 1 | PHSC 134 | 1 |
| 17 | 17 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| HNRS 210 | 4 | HNRS 230 | 4 |
| HNRS 215 | 4 | HNRS 231 | 4 |
| MATH 250 | 4 | MATH 335 | 3 |
| PHSC 233 | 3 | PHSC 234 | 4 |
| PHSC 237 | 1 | ||
| KNES Activity (see Core Curriculum) | 1 | ||
| 17 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| HNRS 324 | 4 | HNRS 337 | 4 |
| HNRS 326 | 2 | HNRS 339 | 2 |
| PHSC 311 | 3 | ENGL 3133 (recommended; fulfills ENGL 313 Core Curriculum requirement) | 3 |
| PHSC 336 | 3 | PHSC 318 | 3 |
| Foreign Language (see Core Curriculum) | 4 | PHSC 321 | 5 |
| 16 | 17 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| HNRS 443 | 4 | HNRS 458 | 4 |
| BBST 4653 (fulfills BBST 465 Integration Seminar requirement) | 3 | CHEM 106 | 3 |
| CHEM 105 | 3 | CHEM 116 | 1 |
| CHEM 115 | 1 | PHSC 412 | 3 |
| PHSC 340 | 3 | PHSC 460 | 1 |
| PHSC Elective (upper-division) | 3 | PHSC 480 | 3 |
| 17 | 15 | ||
| Total Credits 131 | |||
