Major in Interdisciplinary Physics - Physics Innovation and Entrepreneurship Concentration
(Beginning Spring 2025)
The Interdisciplinary Physics major is designed for students with an interest in physics and its applications in other fields with high potential for employment and postgraduate opportunities. The program provides students with a strong foundation in physics along with the freedom to develop a coherent academic program across other disciplines such as computer science, mathematics, astronomy, geology, marketing, and entrepreneurship through concentrations in Computational Physics, Planetary Science and Physics Innovation and Entrepreneurship. The curricular pathways offered through the concentrations in the Interdisciplinary Physics major prepare students for careers in an increasingly technical workforce that values skills across many disciplines.
All Interdisciplinary Physics majors take a core set of physics courses, including a three-course sequence in fundamental classical physics and courses in computational methods, modern physics, and laboratory techniques. Students will be assigned an adviser in the Department of Physics, Astronomy, and Geosciences who will assist them in selecting elective courses within their program to best meet their career goals.
Required Courses for B.S. in Interdisciplinary Physics
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Physics Courses | ||
| PHYS 185 | INTRODUCTORY SEMINAR IN PHYSICS | 1 |
| PHYS 241 | GENERAL PHYSICS I CALCULUS-BASED A grade of B or better in PHYS 211 is required to substitute for PHYS 241 | 4 |
| or PHYS 211 | GENERAL PHYSICS I; NON CALCULUS-BASED | |
| PHYS 242 | GENERAL PHYSICS II CALCULUS-BASED | 4 |
| PHYS 243 | GENERAL PHYSICS III | 4 |
| PHYS 305 | COMPUTERS IN PHYSICS | 4 |
| PHYS 311 | MODERN PHYSICS I | 3 |
| PHYS 341 | INTERMEDIATE PHYSICS LABORATORY I | 3 |
| PHYS 385 | PHYSICS SEMINAR | 1 |
| or ASTR 385 | ASTROPHYSICS SEMINAR | |
| PHYS 486 | PHYSICS SEMINAR II | 1 |
| Non-Physics Requirements | ||
| MATH 273 | CALCULUS I | 4 |
| MATH 274 | CALCULUS II | 4 |
| Total Units | 33 | |
Students choosing the Physics Innovation and Entrepreneurship Concentration will be prepared to pursue start-up opportunities or technical sales and marketing positions that require a combination of scientific knowledge and skills in business and communications. Students in this concentration must declare a minor in Entrepreneurship or Marketing which is included in the coursework below.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Additional Physics Content Requirements | ||
| PHYS 312 | MODERN PHYSICS II | 3 |
| PHYS 335 | BASIC ELECTRONICS | 4 |
| or PHYS 337 | DIGITAL ELECTRONICS | |
| or PHYS 361 | OPTICS FUNDAMENTALS | |
| ELECTIVE | PHYS 300- or 400-level | 9 |
| Additional Non-Physics Content Requirements | ||
| COMM 131 | PUBLIC SPEAKING | 3 |
| ECON 201 | MICROECONOMIC PRINCIPLES | 3 |
| LEGL 225 | LEGAL ENVIRONMENT OF BUSINESS | 3 |
| MKTG 341 | MARKETING AND CREATIVITY | 3 |
| ENGL 317 | WRITING FOR BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY | 3 |
| or BUSX 301 | BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS | |
| MKTG 451 | PROFESSIONAL SELLING | 3 |
| ELECTIVES: Coursework from the Entrepreneurship or Marketing Minor | 12 | |
Entrepreneurship Minor | ||
| CREATIVITY AND IDEA DEVELOPMENT | ||
| START-UP BASICS FOR NON-BUSINESS MAJORS | ||
| ENTREPRENEURSHIP FOUNDATIONS AND PATHWAYS | ||
| BUSINESS PLAN COMPETITION | ||
Marketing Minor | ||
| ENTREPRENEURIAL MARKETING | ||
| CONSUMER BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS | ||
| GLOBAL MARKETING | ||
ELECTIVE | MKTG Elective | |
| Total Units | 46 | |
Sample Four-Year Plan
The selected course sequence below is an example of the simplest path to degree completion. Based on course schedules, student needs, and student choice, individual plans may vary. Students should consult with their adviser to make the most appropriate elective choices and to ensure that they have completed the required number of units (120) to graduate.
Concentration in Physics Innovation and Entrepreneurship with Entrepreneurship Minor
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| PHYS 185 | 1 | PHYS 241 (Core 7) | 4 |
| MATH 273 (Core 3) | 4 | Core 2 (or Core 1) | 3 |
| Core 1 (or Core 2) | 3 | Core 10 | 3 |
| Elective | 4 | Elective | 4 |
| Elective | 3 | ||
| 15 | 14 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| MATH 274 | 4 | PHYS 242 (Core 8) | 4 |
| COMM 131 (Core 5) | 3 | ENTR 215 | 3 |
| ENTR 110 | 3 | ECON 201 (Core 6) | 3 |
| Core 4 | 3 | MKTG 341 | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| PHYS 305 | 4 | PHYS 243 | 4 |
| ENGL 317 (Core 9) | 3 | PHYS 385 | 1 |
| MKTG 451 | 3 | LEGL 225 (Core 11) | 3 |
| Physics Elective | 3 | ENTR 355 | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | ||
| 13 | 14 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| PHYS 311 | 3 | PHYS 312 | 3 |
| PHYS 341 | 3 | PHYS 335 | 4 |
| PHYS 486 | 1 | ENTR 410 | 3 |
| Physics Elective | 3 | Physics Elective | 3 |
| Core 12 | 3 | Core 14 | 3 |
| Core 13 | 3 | ||
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Total Units 120 | |||
Concentration in Physics Innovation and Entrepreneurship with Marketing Minor
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| PHYS 185 | 1 | PHYS 241 (Core 7) | 4 |
| MATH 273 | 4 | Elective | 4 |
| Core 1 (or Core 2) | 3 | Core 2 (or Core 1) | 3 |
| Elective | 4 | Core 10 | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | ||
| 15 | 14 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| COMM 131 (Core 5) | 3 | PHYS 242 (Core 8) | 4 |
| MATH 274 | 4 | ECON 201 (Core 6) | 3 |
| MKTG 350 | 3 | MKTG 341 | 3 |
| Core 4 | 3 | MKTG 425 | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| PHYS 305 | 4 | PHYS 243 | 4 |
| Physics Elective | 3 | PHYS 385 | 1 |
| ENGL 317 (Core 9) | 3 | LEGL 225 (Core 11) | 3 |
| MKTG 451 | 3 | MKTG 445 | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | ||
| 13 | 14 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| PHYS 311 | 3 | PHYS 312 | 3 |
| PHYS 341 | 3 | PHYS 335 | 4 |
| PHYS 486 | 1 | Physics Elective | 3 |
| Physics Elective | 3 | Marketing Elective | 3 |
| Core 12 | 3 | Core 14 | 3 |
| Core 13 | 3 | ||
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Total Units 120 | |||
The IP program has two overarching student learning outcomes. Upon successful completion of the degree, students in all IP concentrations will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of fundamental principles of physics and major concepts in a student’s chosen concentration and be able to apply these principles to solve quantitative problems.
- Communicate scientific information effectively in both oral and written formats.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of scientific research and technology as they apply to the fields of business, entrepreneurship, and physics.