Physics
Bachelor of Science with a major in Physics
A bachelor's degree in physics can be the first step in your choice of a variety of career options. With a physics degree you can go directly into business, industrial, or government employment as a design, research, quality control or development scientist or engineer. Or you can go into the teaching profession. Should you decide to continue your education, you can enter graduate school in physics, mathematics, chemistry, engineering, or business administration, or even continue in a professional program such as medicine, dentistry, physical therapy, or law. The type of research in physics can vary from basic to applied, and can be carried out at a college or university (often combined with teaching), or at an industrial or government laboratory. Lincoln University's diverse physics curriculum along with several opportunities for undergraduate research is taught in a small-classroom environment. This has led to our graduates doing well in industry, graduate school and in school teaching.
The Physics program provides educational opportunities for students from various backgrounds to be successful in a complex, technological and diverse society. The program is dedicated to teaching the principles and concepts of physical sciences and demonstrating how it applies to our natural and social environment; provides majors with current and relevant programs that prepare them for employment or professional advancement and conducts laboratory and research experiences for undergraduates that reinforce learning and applications of empirical methods of science. The program accomplishes its goals through small classes and individual attention in a nurturing educational environment.
Each of Lincoln's academic programs is made up of a set of core curriculum, program requirements and electives. The courses listed below are just a small sample of courses that might be taken as a part of this specific program.
| Physics I & II | These calculus based course are designed to meet the needs of those majoring in or interested physics, chesmistry, mathematics or egineering: with materials covering subjects such as but not limited to: mechanics, heat, waves, electromagnetism, ligh and atomic physics |
| Mechanics | Encompasses studies related to the the principles and techniques of mechanics and introduces students to the classical problems associated with particle and rigid dynamics, vector analysis, Newtonian, Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulations. |
| Optics | Relates to the study of geometrical and physical optics and image formation by lenses and mirrors. Includes comprehensive content concerning interference, diffraction, polarization and optical aspects of spectometry. |
| Electricity And Magnetism | These courses involve studies concerning charges at rest, charges in motion and their magnetic effects as well as in-depth exploration of Maxwell's equations and electromagnetic waves. |
| Advanced Laboratory | Introduction to the use of experimental apparatus and modern laboratory techniques. Experiments will be selected from areas of modern physics, optics and electronics |
For the full list of required courses and course descriptions please refer to the appropriate section of the current Undergrad Bulletin.
Students receiving a B.S. degree in physics will take the major field exit exam prior to graduation. Upon completion of the Physics degree program at Lincoln University, the student will have gained a basic understanding of computers and various software programs. Students will have the opportunity to gain the necessary computer knowledge and skills by taking CS 103 (or the equivalent). Students will also have opportunities to develop computer skills in other science courses which require the use of the computer. A minimum of 40 upper division hours (those numbered 300 and above) is required for graduation.
The following are general requirements for all students beginning an undergraduate program at Lincoln. For more information visit Undergraduate Admissions Requirements:
Diploma
Graduation from high-school, or having the equivalent of a high-school diploma; such as completing of the General Education Development (GED) examination.
Core Subjects
A minimum of a 2.0 GPA in core college preparatory classes (English, Math, Social Sciences and Science with a Lab)
Grade Point Average
A "C" average; however, in some cases a student with weak academic record may be considered eligible for graduation. To remain a student at Lincoln University, a student must meet scholastic requirements.
Standardized Test
Entering freshman should take the ACT and/or SAT test, the codes for Lincoln University of Missouri are: SAT: 6366 ACT: 3614
Degree Pathway
Leading to a Bachelor of Science in Physics
Total Required Hours - 121
1 Written Communication, 2 Oral Communication, 3 Mathematical Sciences, 4 Natural Science, 5 Social & Behavioral Sciences, 6 Humanities & Fine Arts, 7 Institutional Requirement: International Cultural Diversity, 8 Institutional Requirement: General Education Skills. These courses are suggestions from the general education options and can be substituted and are interchangeable in the pathway.
Lincoln's academic programs are designed specifically to prepare students for a career in the real world. But it's more than just job preparation; it's preparing students to make a full impact in their profession through the unique combination learning of concepts and application of those concepts. Here are some of the potential professions for physics majors:
- Accelerator Operator
- Applications Engineer
- Data Analyst
- Design Engineer
- IT Consultant
- Lab Technician
- Laser Engineer
- Optical Engineer
- Research Associate
- Secondary and Middle School Science Teacher