Department of Chemistry, Physics, and Atmospheric Sciences – PHYSICS
College of Science, Engineering, and Technology
If you have ever wondered scientifically, “why” something is the way it is, or “how” can something exist or behave the way it does, then you’ve entered the realm of physics. Physics is the most fundamental of all sciences, and is the study of nature that is all around us. Physicists try to understand the most basic laws that govern the behavior of nature.
Alternate Career Choice
Alternate Career Choice Concentration Curriculum
To view a listing of the undergraduate-level courses offered, click here.
Bachelor of Science: Alternate Career Choice Concentration
| Freshman Year | Fall | Spring | |
| ENG 104, 105 | Composition I, II | 3 | 3 |
| HIST 101, 102 | History of Civilization I, II | 3 | 3 |
| MATH 231 | Calculus I with Lab | 4 | |
| BIO 111 | General Biology I | 3 | |
| BIOL 111 | General Biology I Lab | 1 | |
| CHEM 141, 142 | General Chemistry I, II | 3 | 3 |
| CHML 141, 142 | General Chemistry I, II Lab | 1 | 1 |
| HE 101 | Concepts of Health | 3 | |
| UNIV 100 | University Success | 2 | |
| PHY 198, 199 | Physics Seminar | 0.5 | 0.5 |
| ____________ | |||
| (Freshman Year Total: 34 Hours) | 16.5 | 17.5 | |
| Sophomore Year | Fall | Spring | |
| ENG 205 | World Literature | 3 | |
| ENG 206 | Literature of Science | 3 | |
| SPCH 201 | Speech Arts | 3 | |
| PHY 211, 212 | General Physics I, II | 3 | 3 |
| PHYL 211, 212 | General Physics I, II Lab | 1 | 1 |
| MATH 232 | Calculus II with Lab | 4 | |
| CSC 117 | FORTRAN Programming | 3 | |
| *OPT 1 | Career Option Course 1 | 3 | |
| *OPT 2 | Career Option Course 2 | 3 | |
| PHY 298, 299 | Physics Seminar | 0.5 | 0.5 |
| ____________ | |||
| (Sophomore Year Total: 33 Hours) | 15.5 | 15.5 | |
| Junior Year | Fall | Spring | |
| MUS 205 or ART 205 | Music or Art Appreciation | 3 | |
| PHY 361 | Math Methods in Physics I | 3 | |
| FR, GR, CHI, or SP 101, 102 | Foreign Language Option | 3 | 3 |
| PHY 311 | Theoretical Mechanics I | 3 | |
| PHY 351 | Thermal and Statistical Physics | 3 | |
| PHY 330W | Methods of Experimental Physics | 3 | |
| PHIL 301 | Intro. to Philosophy | 3 | |
| *OPT 3 | Career Option Course 3 | 3 | |
| *OPT 4 | Career Option Course 4 | 3 | |
| PHY 398, 399 | Physics Seminar | 0.5 | 0.5 |
| ____________ | |||
| (Junior Year Total: 31 Hours) | 15.5 | 15.5 | |
| Senior Year | Fall | Spring | |
| PHY 411 | Electromagnetic Theory I | 3 | |
| PHY 422 | Quantum Mechanics | 3 | |
| PHY 431 | Atomic and Nuclear Physics | 3 | |
| SS/SOC XXX | Social Science Option | 3 | |
| ELECT | Free Electives | 4 | |
| PHY XXX | Physics Elective | 3 | |
| *OPT 5 | Career Option Course 5 | 3 | |
| *OPT 6 | Career Option Course 6 | 3 | |
| _________ | |||
| (Senior Year Total: 26 Hours | 12.5 | 13.5 | |
TOTAL HOURS: 124
(Minimum Credit Hours required for the Degree: 124
NOTE: Students must satisfactorily pass the English Proficiency Examination.
Alternate Career Choice Course Options
a. Students with Medicine as career choice
| Option | Course | Hours |
| OPT 1 | BIO 112 & BIOL 112 (General Biology II and Lab) | 4 |
| OPT 2 | BIO 218 & BIOL 281 (Comparative Anatomy and Lab) | 4 |
| OPT 3 | CHEM 241 & CHML 241 (Organic Chemistry I and Lab) | 4 |
| OPT 4 | CHEM 242 & CHML 242 (Organic Chemistry II and Lab) | 4 |
| OPT 5 | CHEM 431 & CHML 431 (Biochemistry and Lab) | 4 |
| OPT 6 | Open | 3 |
b. Students with Civil Engineering as career choice
| Option | Course | Hours |
| OPT 1 | EN 222 (Engineering Mechanics I) | 3 |
| OPT 2 | EN 240 (Strength of Materials) | 3 |
| OPT 3 | CIV 330 & CIVL 330 (Fluid Mechanics and Lab) | 4 |
| OPT 4 | Open* | 3 |
| OPT 5 | Open* | 3 |
| OPT 6 | Open* | 3 |
| *Choice of three (3) courses from CIV 320, CIV 340 & Lab, CIV 370, CIV 380 & Lab, and CIV 390; Student, advisor, and chairs will participate in the discussion for choice. One 400-level CIV course may be chosen if it matches with student’s interest and appropriate prerequisite is met. |
||
c. Student with MBA/Management as career choice
| Option | Course | Hours |
| OPT 1 | MNGT 330 (Management to Organizations) | 3 |
| OPT 2 | ECO 211 (Principles of Macroeconomics) | 3 |
| OPT 3 | ECO 212 (Principles of Microeconomics) | 3 |
| OPT 4 | MNGT 333 (Quantitative Business Analysis) | 3 |
| OPT 5 | MNGT 350 (Database Management Systems Applications) | 3 |
| OPT 6 | MNGT 460 (Management Information Systems) | 3 |
d. Students with Physics Teaching in High School as career choice
| Option | Course | Hours |
| OPT 1 | EDCI 100 (Introduction to Education) | 3 |
| OPT 2 | EDFL 203 (Foundations of Education) | 3 |
| OPT 3 | GUID 215 (Human Development Learning) | 3 |
| OPT 4 | SCI 205 & SCIL 205 (Earth Science for Teachers and Lab) | 4 |
| OPT 5 | EDFL 367 (Assessment, Measurements & Evaluation) | 3 |
| OPT 6 | EDCI 401 (Research in Classroom Management) | 3 |
Students with career choices other than those mentioned above should consult with his or her advisor.
Other possible career choices could be:
- Atmospheric Physics
- Medical Physics/Biophysics
- Computational Sciences
- Nano-Science and Technology
- Earth and Space Science
- Electrical Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Materials Science and Engineering
OPT courses will be sequenced following course pre-requisites and as courses are offered by the respective departments.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
Physics allows you to study the forces that shape the fabric of nature and learn what the universe if made of and how it works.
You will receive a solid grounding in fundamental physics and have access to a wide range of elective courses including optics, particle and solid-state physics, nonlinear dynamics, astronomy and geophysics. Running experiments and engaging in faculty-led research develops your quantitative critical thinking skills, and you will gain the ability to use data to test and evaluate models, explanations, and methods.
LEARN BY DOING
In lab-based classes and with faculty-led research opportunities, you will learn to think like a physicist. Explore accelerator physics at CERN, or learn about the frontiers of space and time while searching for extrasolar planets and world-renowned observatories. Explore the mind-bending consequences of Einstein’s theory of gravity and curved space-time, or unlock the mysteries of our awesome Earth with field research opportunities. Become a science educator and make a difference in propelling P-12 STEM education in the 21st century. At Jackson State University, you are part of the process of creating new scientific knowledge.
“Challenging Minds, Changing Lives.”
APPLY YOUR KNOWLEDGE
Your time will be spent collecting and analyzing data or running experiments on state-of-the-art equipment – not solely sitting at desks.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Physics majors have a plethora of career options after studying the mechanics of matter and understanding concepts such as optics, solid-state physics, particle physics, and much more:
| Technical Writer | Science Teacher | Forensic Scientist | Professor |
| Data Analyst | Research Analyst | Web Developer | Design Engineer |
| Systems Analyst | Research Engineer | Meteorologist | Research Scientist |
| Scientist | Application Developer | Product Development Engineer | Process Engineer |
| Radiation Safety Officer | Materials Engineer | Nuclear Engineer | R&D Engineer |
| Aeronautical Engineer | Electronics Engineer | Data Scientist | Quantitative Analyst |
RESEARCH
For many years, we have played a central role in new physics developments and advancements.
Want to learn more? Click below to view our advancements.
RESOURCES
PERSONNEL
READY TO JOIN?
For more information, please contact us at (601) 979-7012. We look forward to meeting with you and seeing how our program can help you achieve your goals.
DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY, PHYSICS, AND ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCES
