Department of Physics
1200 Larimer St., NC 3801
Campus Box 157
P.O. Box 173364
Denver, CO 80217-3364
Office:
303-556-8344
Office Fax:
303-556-6257
MAJOR IN PHYSICS
Students must declare their intention to major in Physics by the time they have completed 60
semester hours and must complete between 46 and 50 credit hours in physics (depending on the
track chosen) to receive the degree of Bachelor of Science in Physics. No grade below a “C” can
be used to meet the requirements for the major. At least 12 credit hours of the requirement for
the major must be completed at CU Denver.
A senior thesis is required for all students wishing to graduate with departmental honors. For all
other students, the faculty encourages a senior thesis or project.
Required courses common to all tracks
(25 credit hours)
Course number
PHYS 2311
PHYS 2321
PHYS 2331
PHYS 2341
PHYS 2711
PHYS 2811
PHYS 3120
PHYS 3711
PHYS 3811
Course title
General Physics I: Calculus – Based
General Physics Laboratory I
General Physics II: Calculus – Based
General Physics Laboratory II
Vibrations and Waves
Modern Physics
Methods of Mathematical Physics
Junior Lab I
Quantum Mechanics
Credit hours
4
1
4
1
3
4
3
2
3
Required ancillary courses
(16 credit hours)
Course number
MATH 1401
MATH 2411
MATH 2421
MATH 3195
Course title
Analytical Geometry and Calculus I
Analytical Geometry and Calculus II
Analytical Geometry and Calculus III
Linear Algebra and Differential Equations
Credit hours
4
4
4
4
Note: the department will accept the following combination of math courses in place of
MATH 3195:
MATH 3191 Applied Linear Algebra (3 credits)
MATH 3200 Elementary Differential Equations (3 credits)
Downtown Campus
Denver, Colorado
Anschutz Medical Campus
Aurora, Colorado
Required Courses Specific To Pure & Applied Physics (Track 1)
(21 credit hours)
Course number
Course title
PHYS 3211
Analytical Mechanics
4
PHYS 3411
Thermal Physics
3
PHYS 3721
Junior Lab II
2
PHYS 4711
Senior Lab I
2
PHYS 4331*
Principles of Electricity and Magnetism
Physics related electives at 3000 level or above approved by
advisor (may include up to 3 credits of independent study)
Credit hours
4
6
*Note: students who must retake PHYS 4331 may fulfill this requirement by obtaining a
C or better in PHYS 4351 Bioelectromagnetism.
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS FOR TRACK 1
Required physics courses
Required ancillary courses
46
16
Students are strongly encouraged to consult with the Physics advisor, meet physics faculty
engaged in Pure & Applied Physics research, attend departmental seminars, and explore ways
that Physics relates to research undertaken by faculty in other disciplines.
For more information, contact:
Alberto Sadun (Physics & Astrophysics advisor)
alberto.sadun@ucdenver.edu
Office: North Classroom 3809
Required courses specific to Biophysics & Medical Physics (Track 2)
(25 credit hours)
Course number
Course title
Credit hours
PHYS 3251
Biophysics of the Body
4
PHYS 3451
Biophysics of the Cell
4
PHYS 4331
or
PHYS 4351
Principles of Electricity and Magnetism
PHYS 3721
Junior Lab II
4
Bioelectromagnetism (recommended)
2
Biophysics-related electives at 3000 level or above approved by
advisor*
8
Numerical modeling course approved by advisor
or
Probability & statistics course approved by advisor
3
*Note: This may include up to 3 credits of independent study
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS FOR TRACK 2
Required physics courses
Required ancillary courses
50
16
Important: Pre-Med Physics Majors please see next page for important information
Students are strongly encouraged to consult with the biophysics advisor, meet physics faculty
engaged in biophysics research, attend departmental biophysics-related seminars, and explore
ways that biophysics relates to research undertaken by faculty in other disciplines – including
both fundamental science and clinical medicine. Opportunities also arise to connect biophysics
studies to outreach into regional high schools so that pre-college students can benefit from
undergraduates sharing their experiences with connecting studies across disciplines.
For more information, contact:
Randall Tagg (biophysics advisor)
randall.tagg@ucdenver.edu
Office: North Classroom 3111E
Information for Pre-Med Physics Majors
We offer two options for Pre-Med majors where they are able to substitute the following Physics
courses with Biology courses
1. Biophysics-related electives at 3000 level or above (8 credits) can be substituted with:
Course number
BIOL 2051°
PHYS 3151
BIOL 2061°
PHYS 3161
Course title
General Biology I
Biophysics Outlook I
General Biology II
Biophysics Outlook II
Credit hours
3
1
3
1
2. PHYS 3721 Junior Lab II (2 credits) can be substituted with:
Course number
BIOL 2071°
BIOL 2081°
Course title
General Biology Lab I
General Biology Lab II
Credit hours
1
1
°These courses are generally required for medical school admission. In addition, the
following are also generally required for medical school but are not required for the
Biophysics & Medical Physics track.
Course number
CHEM 2031°
CHEM 2038°
CHEM 2061°
CHEM 2068°
CHEM 3411°
CHEM 3418°
CHEM 3421°
CHEM 3428°
Course Title
General Chemistry I
General Chemistry Laboratory I
General Chemistry II
General Chemistry Laboratory II
Organic Chemistry I
Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
Organic Chemistry II
Organic Chemistry Laboratory II
Credit hours
3
1
3
1
4
1
4
1