Requirements & Course Descriptions

Major in Medical Physics

Students who major in medical physics must complete 69 hours, including

• PHYS 1500 or 1600, 1610**, 2100, 2900, 3200, 4000, 4100, and 4200
• BIOL 1150-1150L*, 1151-1151L, and 3110-3110L;
• CHEM 101-101L, 102-102L***, 221-221L, and 222-222L;
• MATH 201, 202, 301, 302, and 401;

Notes: *All students should take BIOL 1151-1151L. A grade of ‘C-‘ or higher in BIOL 1150-1150L or its approved equivalent course is required to enroll in BIOL 1151-1151L. A grade of ‘C-‘ or higher in BIOL 1151- 1151L or its approved equivalent is required to enroll in any upper division biology course.

**If a student has taken general physics 1500 or physics with calculus 1600 from PC, or its equivalent at another school, before declaring the medical physics major, s/he must pass a qualifying examination given by the physics department. A grade of ‘C-‘ or higher in PHYS 1500 or its approved equivalent course is required to enroll in PHYS 1610. A grade of ‘C-‘ or higher in PHYS 1610 or its approved equivalent is required to enroll in any upper division physics course and the student must pass a qualifying examination given by the physics department.

****All students must complete the American Chemical Society General Chemistry Exam with a grade of 60% or higher to receive credit for Chemistry 102.

Major in Physics

Students who major in physics must complete 58 to 59 hours, including

• CHEM 101-101L and 102-102L;
• MATH 201, 202, 301, 302, and 401;
• PHYS 1500 or 1600; PHYS 1610*, 2100, 2900, 3100, 3200, 4000, and 4100;

Select 3-4 hours from the following:

• CSC 1231 or 2100;

and six hours of PHYS electives at the 2500-level or above.

*Notes: If a student has taken general physics 1500 or physics with calculus 1600 from PC, or its equivalent at another school, before declaring the physics major, s/he must pass a qualifying examination given by the physics department. A grade of ‘C-‘ or higher in PHYS 1500 or its approved equivalent course is required to enroll in PHYS 1610. A grade of ‘C-‘ or higher in PHYS 1610 or its approved equivalent is required to enroll in any upper division physics course and the student must pass a qualifying examination given by the physics department.

Major in Physics – Engineering Dual-Degree

Students participating in this program will be expected to complete all Presbyterian College general education requirements while in residence. In addition, students must complete 45 to 46 hours (or 48 hours), including

• CHEM 101-101L and 102-102L;
• MATH 201, 202, 301, 302, and 401;
• PHYS 1500 or 1600; PHYS 1610, 2100, and 2600;

Select 3-4 hours from the following:

• CSC 1231 or 2100;

Select 3 hours from the following:

• PHYS 2900, 3100, or 3200.

Physics Capstone (choose one option):

• PHYS 4000
• Capstone Equivalent at Engineering School

Students entering a dual-degree program should be aware of stipulations from other institutions regarding transfer work, i.e., most institutions do not accept grades of “D” and some may not accept all of Presbyterian College’s general education requirements. Students participating in this program will be expected to complete all Presbyterian College General Education Requirements while in residence at PC. After earning a minimum of 92 semester hours at PC, students enter an engineering program at Auburn University, Clemson University, Georgia Institute of Technology, University of South Carolina, or Vanderbilt University, and in two years earn a PC degree and an engineering degree from Auburn, Clemson, Georgia Tech, USC, or Vanderbilt.

Notes: If a student has taken general physics 1500 or physics with calculus 1600 from PC, or its equivalent at another school, before declaring the physics (dual degree) major, s/he must pass a qualifying examination given by the physics department. A grade of ‘C-‘ or higher in PHYS 1500 or its approved equivalent course is required to enroll in PHYS 1610. A grade of ‘C-‘ or higher in PHYS 1610 or its approved equivalent is required to enroll in any upper division physics course and the student must pass a qualifying examination given by the physics department.

Minor in Physics

Students minoring in physics must complete 17 to 19 hours, including

• PHYS 1500 or 1600;
• PHYS 1510 or 1610;
• three to four hours chosen from PHYS 2100, 2600, 2900, 3100, 3200, or 4100;
• and six to seven hours chosen from any PHYS elective (three of which may be an internship).

Notes: If a student has taken general physics 1500 or physics with calculus 1600 from PC, or its equivalent at another school, before declaring the physics minor, s/ he must pass a qualifying examination given by the physics department. A grade of “C-“ or higher in PHYS 1500 or its approved equivalent course is required to enroll in PHYS 1610. A grade of “C-“ or higher in PHYS 1610 or its approved equivalent is required to enroll in any upper-division physics course and the student must pass a qualifying examination given by the Physics Department.