Physics

By College of Science Academic Advisors - Fall 2024

To learn more about this degree, including career options, admissions requirements, and involvement opportunities, visit the Degree Information website below. This First Year Semester Guide has suggested courses as recommended by this degree's academic advisor. You may have already completed courses or test scores that have met the requirements for some of these suggested courses. So, be sure to compare which courses are recommended against the requirements you have already met. To see how your previously taken coursework or test scores count at USU, visit usu.edu/orientation/testscores.

 
New Students: You must have taken Math 1210 with a C- or better, or have passed the AP Math Exam, which puts Math 1210 on your transcript.

Math 1220*

4 credits

If starting with MATH 1220, take:

  1. Math 1220* - Calculus II (4 credits)
  2. PHYS 2310* (BPS) - Physics for Scientists I (preferred) (4 credits) or PHYS 2210* (BPS) - Physics for Scientists and Engineers I (4 credits) 
  3. PHYS 2215* - Physics for Scientists and Engineers Lab I (1 credit)
    • Must be taken with PHYS 2310 or PHYS 2210
  4. ENGL 1010 (CL1) - Writing as Inquiry (3 credits) or ENGL 2020* (CL2) - Professional Communication (3 credits) (preferred) or ENGL 2010* (CL2) - Research and Argument Across Perspectives
  5. USU 1010 - University Connections (2 credits)
  6. CS 1400* - Introduction to Computer Science--CS 1 (4 credits)

MATH 2210*

(QI) 3 credits

If starting with MATH 2210, take:

  1. MATH 2210* - Calculus II (3 credits)
  2. PHYS 2310* (BPS) - Physics for Scientists I (preferred) (4 credits) or PHYS 2210* (BPS) - Physics for Scientists and Engineers I (4 credits)
  3. PHYS 2215* - Physics for Scientists and Engineers Lab I (1 credit)
    • Must be taken with PHYS 2310 or PHYS 2210
  4. ENGL 1010 (CL1) - Writing as Inquiry (3 credits) or ENGL 2020* (CL2) - Professional Communication (3 credits) (preferred) or ENGL 2010* (CL2) - Research and Argument Across Perspectives
  5. USU 1010 - University Connections (2 credits)
  6. CS 1400* - Introduction to Computer Science--CS 1 (4 credits)

USU 1010: University Connections (2 credits) though not required is encouraged, as it will provide an environment of challenge and support to help new students make a successful transition to USU.

Prerequisites and Course Descriptions

The classes marked with an asterisk (*) have prerequisites. For course descriptions and prerequisite information, click on the course in this guide or see the University Catalog and click on "Courses."

If you have met a class prerequisite via AP or IBO scores or college credits, but have not yet transferred them to USU, you can request a temporary prerequisite override. Not getting your test scores/credits to USU before August 1, 2024 will result in that class being dropped. Temporary override requests take up to 3-4 business days to process. Once processed, the Registrar’s office will reach out to you via email.

English 1010 (CL1) and English 2010 (CL2) or English 2020 (CL2)

The Communications Literacy 1 requirement (CL1) is typically fulfilled by ENGL 1010. You have already satisfied the CL1 requirement if you have any of the following:

  • ACT English Test: Score of 29 or higher
  • RSAT Reading Test (if taken after March 2016): Score of 34 or higher
  • SAT Critical Reading Test (if taken before March 2016): Score of 640 or higher
  • AP English Language Test: Score of 3 or higher (for CL1 only)
  • CLEP College Composition Test: Score of 50 or higher (for CL1 only)
  • IBO English A: Language & Literature Test: Higher-level Score of 5 or higher (for CL1 only)

If you have already met the CL1 requirement, you should take English 2010 (CL2) or English 2020 (CL2). 

 

When You Can Register

Registration opened for all students on April 11, 2024 and is an ongoing process. Incoming students can begin registering for classes as soon as they complete the second orientation module. For specific dates on when registration will close, check the USU Catalog

Waitlist Information

If the class you want to register is full, and it uses the waitlisting feature, you will see an option to join the waitlist. If the course has an opening, an email is sent to the student first in the waitlist line. That student is given 24 hours to add the class online. Once the first week of classes starts, the time a waitlist student has to add a class is shortened to 12 hours. You can view your position in the waitlist through your student schedule in Banner.

Advising for First-Year Students in this Major

For general registration questions, please contact our office at  or (435)797-0283, or respond to the text message you recieved from (435)200-3628 regarding registration. Our normal business hours are Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. We will also have extended hours on April 10 and April 11 from 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. where the Orientation Office will be answer questions via text message and email. 

Your advisor, has set aside any time to answer questions for incoming first-year students via email. If you wish to schedule a one-on-one appointment, you can make a phone or in-person appointment.

Karalee Ransom

Academic Advisor

Office Location: SER 250D
Phone: 435-797-4021
Email: karalee.ransom@usu.edu