Program Purpose

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Alignment with BYU Aims and Mission

Intellectually enlarging

Physics students gain a broad education in the principal theories that describe the physical world. They learn to approach complex problems in science and technology, and to conduct scientific research.

Spiritually strengthening and character-building

Students are strengthened in character and faith through faculty instruction and mentoring. These interactions provide opportunities for faculty to demonstrate commitment to both spiritual and intellectual pursuits in their personal and professional lives, and to help students adopt spiritual and professional perspectives and practices consistent with the Gospel. Students learn ethical scientific behavior.

Promotes life-long service

The broad scientific background provided enables students to be informed participants in solving community issues. Students are given opportunities to participate in educational outreach and tutoring through undergraduate activities sponsored by student leaders and the department.

Career Preparation

Students completing the Physics B.S. program will be prepared to enter a scientific or technical career or to pursue graduate education in physics and related fields, engineering, or in a technical or professional field.

See Careers for Physics Majors

Curricular Structure

Freshman and sophomore courses include 1) a three-or four course mathematics sequence 2) a four-course introductory physics sequence, including modern physics covering the primary theories described below 3) a four-course experimental laboratory sequence, 4) a first course in scientific computing with a symbolic manipulation program and 5) an introduction to research and careers in physics.

The upper division curriculum treats many of the same topics at an advanced level through courses in mathematical physics, the primary theories described below, and scientific computing with technical programming tools. The culminating experience is mentored research and writing for the senior thesis. A writing and presentation course is also offered for those who have completed their thesis research.

Advising resources for physics majors

Catalog Information

Major Academic Plan (MAP)

Learning Outcomes

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Students completing the Physics B.S. program will be prepared to enter a scientific or technical career or to pursue graduate education in physics or a related field, or in a technical or professional field by being able to:

Physics Theory and Application

Apply principles from the primary physical theories (classical mechanics, quantum mechanics, thermodynamics, electromagnetism and optics) to model and solve representative problems analytically and computationally.  

Experimental and Computational Skills

Design and conduct experiments, build scientific equipment, write scientific programs to simulate physical systems, and analyze data.

Effective Communication

Communicate professionally to a technical audience both orally and in writing. Be able to understand scientific ideas by reading books and journal articles.

Professional Ethics

Understand scientific ethical practices and demonstrate them in the conduct of scientific research.

Research and Professional Preparation

Conduct experimental, theoretical or computational research under the direction of a mentor to contribute to the generation of new knowledge or technologies, and prepare to do this professionally.

Evidence of Learning

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Direct Measures

1. Student mastery of the primary physical theories and analytic, computational and experimental skills will be assessed by requiring graduating students to take the nationally-normed Physics Major Field Test provided each year by ETS.

2. Student achievement of the experimental methods outcome will be assessed by the student's research advisor and undergraduate research committee.

3. Communication skills will be assessed by the student's research advisor and undergraduate research committee.

4. Adherence of ethical principles will be assessed by the student's research advisor and undergraduate research committee.

5. Professional preparation will be assessed by the student's research advisor and undergraduate research committee.

 

Indirect Measures

Senior exit surveys and alumni surveys are monitored to assess student achievement of learning outcomes.

Learning and Teaching Assessment and Improvement

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Learning and teaching assessment improvement is watched over by the department learning outcomes assessment committee under the direction of the department chair. This committee looks at the direct and indirect measures of learning in the department and reports to the faculty once a year on trends and possibilities for improvement. The faculty then votes, as needed, and actions are taken. The faculty and the chair also monitor student ratings and peer reviews of teaching to find things that need to be improved in individual classes and in the performance of faculty members, but the review of program learning outcomes is primarily the responsibility of the department learning outcomes assessment committee.

Department Learning Outcomes Assessment Committee Members

Currently under revision.