Aug 02, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Physics, B.S.


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The B.S. degree program in physics is designed for students who plan careers in physics in industry, research laboratories or academia. Students planning to pursue graduate studies are encouraged to complete more than the minimum 41 credit hours in physics and 15 credit hours in mathematics.

The B.S. degree program in physics with a specialization in cosmology and astrophysics is designed for students who plan careers or postgraduate studies in astronomy or astrophysics.

SMU Degree Requirements

An SMU undergraduate degree requires a minimum of 120 credit hours and must include completion of the University’s Common Curriculum , one major and a combination of electives and/or other majors or minors. Completion of certain majors requires more than 120 hours to finish the degree. The credit hours within this curriculum are distributed as follows:

Requirements for the Major


Physics (41 Credit Hours)


Cosmology and Astrophysics Specialization (9 Credit Hours)


Students specializing in cosmology and astrophysics are not required to take MATH 3304  or the two additional advanced elective courses listed above. Instead, students take the following three courses:

Total for the Major Only: 59 Credit Hours


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