Physics: Computational Physics Option (B.S.)

Total Semester Hours required for the Degree: 120 semester hours

Minimum Semester Hours required for the Physics: Computational Physics Option: 75 semester hours

The Computational Physics option is designed for students interested in the computational approach to solving complex problems in physics. Students gain experience in computer modeling and simulation of a wide variety of systems in physics and engineering. It is designed for students who seek industrial employment or graduate study in a computational field.

Core Requirements

Requirements include:

CHM 1310

General Chemistry I. (3 credits)

CHM 1315

General Chemistry Laboratory I. (1 credits)

MAT 1441

Calculus and Analytic Geometry I. (5 credits)

CSM 2170

Computer Science I. (4 credits)

MAT 2442

Calculus and Analytic Geometry II. (5 credits)

MAT 2443

Calculus and Analytic Geometry III. (4 credits)

MAT 2550

Introduction to Linear Algebra. (3 credits)

CSM 2670

Computer Science II. (4 credits)

MAT 3501

Differential Equations I. (3 credits)

CSM 3570

Numerical Analysis. (3 credits)

PHY 1001

Introduction to Physics and Engineering. (1 credits)

PHY 1351

General Physics I. (3 credits)

or PHY 1391G

PHY 1352

General Physics I Laboratory. (1 credits)

or PHY 1392G

PHY 1361

General Physics II. (3 credits)

PHY 1362

General Physics II Laboratory. (1 credits)

PHY 1371

General Physics III. (3 credits)

PHY 1372

General Physics III Laboratory. (1 credits)

PHY 2450

Classical Dynamics. (3 credits)

PHY 3415

Electricity and Magnetism I with Lab. (4 credits)

PHY 3420

Electricity and Magnetism II. (4 credits)

PHY 4000

Seminar in Physics. (1 credits)

PHY 4320

Computational Physics. (4 credits)

PHY 4601

Research in Physics 1A.B,D,E,F,H,J,K,L,M (1 credits)

or PHY 4601B or PHY 4601D or PHY 4601E

PHY 4602

Research in Physics 2A.B,D,E,F,H,J,K,L,M (2 credits)

or PHY 4602B or PHY 4602D or PHY 4602E

PHY 4603

Research in Physics 3A.B,D,E,F,H,J,K,L,M (3 credits)

or PHY 4603B or PHY 4603D or PHY 4603E

PHY 4711

Experimental Physics I. (1 credits)

PHY 4750

Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics. (3 credits)

PHY 4855

Quantum Mechanics. (3 credits)

Electives:

And 3 hours of electives chosen from the list below:

PHY 3150

Electronics. (4 credits)

PHY 3350

Introduction to Solid State Physics. (3 credits)

PHY 4100

Astrophysics. (3 credits)

PHY 4444

Honors Independent Study A. (3 credits)

or PHY 4444B or PHY 4444D

(See Footnote 1)

PHY 4470

Optics. (4 credits)

PHY 4555

Honors Research. (3 credits)

(See Footnote 1)

PHY 4780

Introduction to Plasma Physics. (3 credits)

PHY 4800

Advanced Independent Study. (1 to 6 credits)

*Course Numbers: PHY 4800A, B, D-F, H-M, O-R, T-Y

(See Footnote 1)

PHY 4865

Advanced Quantum Mechanics. (3 credits)

Footnote:

¹ No more than 3 semester hours of PHY 4444*, PHY 4555, and PHY 4800* in aggregate will count towards the Computational Physics concentration electives.

(Major GPA based on all physics courses taken at EIU.)

Information sourced from the 2026-2027 EIU Undergraduate Catalog.

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