Physics
Dillard University Physics Program
Whether you aspire to pursue a career in engineering, medicine, research, or academia, our Physics Department is dedicated to providing you with the knowledge, skills, and experiences necessary to thrive in your chosen path. We invite you to explore our website to learn more about our program requirements, coursework, and the exciting opportunities that await you at Dillard University.
Related Programs:
Visit the Dillard University School of STEM to learn more.
Return to: College of Arts and Sciences
Mission
The mission of the Bachelor of Science Degree program in Physics is to offer traditional preparation of students for opportunities in graduate study, research, pre-engineering, and employment. There are two concentrations in the Physics degree program: Medical Physics and Pre-Engineering. The curriculum is designed to provide students with a solid foundation and training opportunities in interdisciplinary research areas such as: Chemical Physics, Medical Physics, Biomedical Engineering, Material Science, Optics & Lasers and Engineering.
The Physics program offers several options for obtaining a dual degree (BS/BE). Students may earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering by completing the three-year curriculum at Dillard University and one of the two-year curriculums at the host institution:
- Columbia University (BS/BE)
- Georgia Institute of Technology (BS/BE)
- Tulane University (BS/BE)
- University of New Orleans (BS/BE)
Student Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate preparedness for graduate study and/or entry-level employment.
- Effectively matriculate in 3-2 Pre-Engineering and Medical Physics program.
- Demonstrate preparedness for independent study and research through interaction with scholars and experts in their disciplines.
- Acquire experience through hands-on-training on major research equipment available in program.
Requirements for Bachelor of Science in Physics – Medical Physics
Complete a total of 128 credit hours of coursework for graduation.
General Education Core – 41 credit hours
Major Requirements – 59 credit hours
Additional Coursework – 28 credit hours
Major Requirements
- PHY 111 – Introduction to Engineering Physics 1 3 cr.
- PHY 112 – Introduction to Engineering Physics II 3 cr.
- PHY 220 – General Physics I 3 cr.
- PHY 220L – General Physics I Laboratory 1 cr.
- PHY 222 – General Physics II 3 cr.
- PHY 222L – General Physics II Laboratory 1 cr.
- PHY 230 – General Physics III 3 cr.
- PHY 230L – General Physics III Laboratory 1 cr.
- PHY 305 – Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics 3 cr.
- PHY 309 – Intermediate Classical Mechanics 3 cr.
- PHY 321 – Advance Physics II Laboratory 2 cr.
- PHY 341 – Mathematical Physics 3 cr.
- PHY 390 – Optics and Modern Physics 3 cr.
- PHY 401 – Introduction to Quantum Mechanics 3 cr.
- PHY 402 – Electromagnetic Theory 3 cr.
- PHY 403 – Electromagnetic Waves and Optics 3 cr.
- PHY 404 – Optics and Laser Physics 3 cr.
- PHY 408 – Ionization Radiation Laboratory 3 cr.
- PHY 409 – Physics of Medical Imaging 3 cr.
- PHY 411 – Scientific Research Methods 3 cr.
- PHY 412 – Senior Research Thesis/Project 3 cr.
- Physics Elective 300 or above: 3 cr.
Additional Coursework
- BIO 201 – Anatomy and Physiology I 3 cr.
- BIO 201L – Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory 1 cr.
- BIO 202 – Anatomy and Physiology II 3 cr.
- BIO 202L – Anatomy and Physiology II Laboratory 1 cr.
- CHE 111 – General Chemistry I 3 cr.
- CHE 111L – General Chemistry I Laboratory 1 cr.
- CHE 112 – General Chemistry II 3 cr.
- CHE 112L – General Chemistry II Laboratory 1 cr.
- CS 150 – Introduction to Programming I 3 cr.
- MAT 202 – Analytic Geometry and Calculus II 3 cr.
- MAT 203 – Analytic Geometry and Calculus III 3 cr.
- MAT 302 – Differential Equations 3 cr.
Physics – Medical Physics Curriculum
First Year
First Semester
- AWS 100 – Survey of the African World 3 cr. ♦ or
- REL 208 – The Black Church in the U.S. 3 cr. ♦
- CHE 111 – General Chemistry I 3 cr.
- CHE 111L – General Chemistry I Laboratory 1 cr.
- ENG 111 – Expository Writing 3 cr. ♦
- FYS 101 – First Year Seminar I 1 cr. / Service Learning ♦ *
- MAT 201 – Analytic Geometry and Calculus I 3 cr. ♦
- PHY 111 – Introduction to Engineering Physics 1 3 cr.
- UCO 101 – University Convocation I 0 cr. ♦
Total: 17
Second Semester
- ENG 112 – Argument and Research 3 cr. ♦
- CHE 112 – General Chemistry II 3 cr.
- CHE 112L – General Chemistry II Laboratory 1 cr.
- FYS 102 – First Year Seminar II 1 cr. / Service Learning ♦ *
- MAT 202 – Analytic Geometry and Calculus II 3 cr.
- PHY 112 – Introduction to Engineering Physics II 3 cr.
- UCO 102 – University Convocation II 0 cr. ♦
- Physical Education Activity Elective 2 cr. ♦
Total: 16
Second Year
First Semester
- BIO 111 – General Biology I 3 cr. ♦
- BIO 111L – General Biology I Laboratory 1 cr. ♦
- CS 150 – Introduction to Programming I 3 cr.
- ENG 201 – Readings in World Literature I 3 cr. ♦ or
- ENG 202 – Readings in World Literature II 3 cr. ♦
- MAT 203 – Analytic Geometry and Calculus III 3 cr.
- PHY 220 – General Physics I 3 cr.
- PHY 220L – General Physics I Laboratory 1 cr.
Total: 17
Second Semester
- ENG 199 – Writing Proficiency Examination 0 cr. ***
- MAT 302 – Differential Equations 3 cr.
- PHY 222 – General Physics II 3 cr.
- PHY 222L – General Physics II Laboratory 1 cr.
- PHY 309 – Intermediate Classical Mechanics 3 cr.
- PHY 321 – Advance Physics II Laboratory 2 cr.
- Social Science Elective 3 cr. ♦
Total: 15
Third Year
First Semester
- BIO 201 – Anatomy and Physiology I 3 cr.
- BIO 201L – Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory 1 cr.
- PHY 230 – General Physics III 3 cr.
- PHY 230L – General Physics III Laboratory 1 cr.
- PHY 305 – Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics 3 cr.
- PHY 411 – Scientific Research Methods 3 cr.
- Humanities Elective 3 cr. ♦
Total: 17
Second Semester
- BIO 202 – Anatomy and Physiology II 3 cr.
- BIO 202L – Anatomy and Physiology II Laboratory 1 cr.
- PHY 402 – Electromagnetic Theory 3 cr.
- PHY 408 – Ionization Radiation Laboratory 3 cr.
- PHY 412 – Senior Research Thesis/Project 3 cr.
- PHY 390 – Optics and Modern Physics 3 cr.
Total: 16
Fourth Year
First Semester
- FFR 121 – Elementary French I 3 cr. ♦ or
- FSP 121 – Elementary Spanish I 3 cr. ♦
- PHY 404 – Optics and Laser Physics 3 cr.
- PHY 409 – Physics of Medical Imaging 3 cr.
- PHY 499C – Senior Comprehensive Examination 0 cr.
- Physics Elective 300 or above 3 cr.
- Social Science Elective 3 cr. ♦
Total: 15
Second Semester
- ECO 203 – Principles of Macroeconomics 3 cr. ♦
- FFR 122 – Elementary French II 3 cr. ♦ or
- FSP 122 – Elementary Spanish II 3 cr. ♦
- PHY 341 – Mathematical Physics 3 cr.
- PHY 401 – Introduction to Quantum Mechanics 3 cr.
- PHY 403 – Electromagnetic Waves and Optics 3 cr.
- PHY 499C – Senior Comprehensive Examination 0 cr. (Retake)
Total: 15
Total Required Hours: 128
* Service Learning: Students will earn a total of 30 service learning hours after successful completion of FYS 101 & FYS 102.
** Community Service: Students must contact the Center for Career and Professional Development for pre-approved community service project to earn a total of 90 hours of community service by the end of their junior year.
*** Writing Proficiency Examination: Students must complete ENG 111 and ENG 112 with a minimum grade of ‘C’ to register for ENG 199 – Writing Proficiency Examination. Students who fail to take or do not pass ENG 199 must take ENG 200 – Review of Writing Strategies (3 credit hours).
Note
We offer valuable research opportunities on par with Research I universities and even graduate schools. You have access to state-of-the-art research infrastructure and laser labs for pulsed laser deposition and ablation of soft and hard materials for photonic and device fabrication. We have trained many students in advanced research projects related to the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR), and the Army Research Office. These real-world projects can involve working with innovative patents and inventions you won’t find elsewhere.
By working closely with faculty, you have the opportunity to publish in peer-reviewed journals, giving you a huge head start in your career. Dillard students have co-authored publications in Composites Part B Engineering, American Journal of Materials Science, and Optics Express, among others. Our program offers unrivaled support for your research and turns you into independent researchers ready for graduate school or the workforce for full-time employment.
