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Four-Year GuidePhysics, Interdisciplinary Science ConcentrationBS270G2025-26Appalachian State University
College of Arts & Sciences
Department of Physics & Astronomy
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This four year guide is a recommended semester-by semester plan of study for this major. All four year guides are meant to be an example of how a degree can be completed in four years. Individual plans will be developed for each student in consultation with their academic advisor. Prior credit, course availability, and student needs must be considered in developing the individual plan.
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Semester HoursCourse NameCredit HrMin GradeIn Major GPAImportant Notes
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Semester 1
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Semester Hrs:UCO 12003
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15Gen Ed Placeholder 13See General Education Requirements section below.
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Gen Ed Wellness Literacy1
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MAT 11104C-XSatisfies Quantitative Literacy; Prerequisite course required.
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PHY 1170/1160 (recommended) or PHY 1123/11134C-XPHY 1170/1160 are 5 hours. Also meets Gen Ed Science Inquiry requirement.
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Semester 2
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Semester Hrs:RC 10003
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15Gen Ed Placeholder 23See General Education Requirements section below.
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Gen Ed Wellness Literacy1
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MAT 11204C-X
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PHY 1180/1161 (recommended) or PHY 1124/11144C-XPHY 1180/1161 are 5 hours. Also meets Gen Ed Science Inquiry requirement.
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Semester 3
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Semester Hrs:RC 20013
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15MAT 21304X
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PHY 20051X
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PHY 20104C-X
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PHY 21103C X
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Semester 4
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Semester Hrs:Gen Ed Placeholder 33See General Education Requirements section below.
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16PHY 20204CX
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Emphasis Area Course 13X*See Emphasis Area Information below.
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Emphasis Area Course 23X*See Emphasis Area Information below.
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[FAD] or Free Elective3See [FAD] Foundations of American Democracy in the notes below.
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Semester 5
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Semester Hrs:Gen Ed Placeholder 43
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15Gen Ed Placeholder 53
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Emphasis Area Course 33X*See Emphasis Area Information below.
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PHY Elective Course 13X**See Physics Electives Information below.
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Free Elective3
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Semester 6
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Semester Hrs:Gen Ed Placeholder 63
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15PHY 33103X[WID]
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Emphasis Area Course 43X
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PHY Elective Course 23X
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Free Elective3
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Semester 7
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Semester Hrs:Emphasis Area Course 53X
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15Emphasis Area Course 63X
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PHY Elective Course 33X
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PHY Elective Course 43XIf needed to reach 11 hours. Otherwise, take free elective.
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Free Elective3
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Semester 8
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Semester Hrs:PHY 42104X[CAP]
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14Emphasis Area Course 73X
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Emphasis Area Course 83X
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Free Elective3
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Free Elective1Take enough free elective hours to reach the minimum 120 required to earn a degree.
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Total Hours120Program of Study (POS)
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General Requirements Summary
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Minimum Total HoursGen Ed. HoursMajor GPAOverall GPAWriting
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120412.002.00RC 1000 and RC 2001
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General Education Requirements - 41 Semester Hours Total
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Program CategoriesHoursImportant Notes – Be sure to check for Gen Ed courses required in your major
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First Year Seminar3Can be taken first or second semester of freshman year.
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Wellness Literacy2
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Quantitative Literacy4
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First Year Writing3Can be taken first or second semester of freshman year
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Sophomore Writing3
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Humanity and Its Systems (HUM), Intercultural Literacy (ICL) and Sustainability & Climate Literacy (SCL)18Choose at least one course from each of the three categories. As part of those course choices, be sure to also choose at least one course for each of the 4 required designations [(FA), (LS), (HS), (SS)].
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Science Inquiry8It is possible to take up to 10 hours of Science Inquiry courses, depending upon your choice of science. 8 hours is the minimum requirement. If you take a 10 hour science sequence, you will have 2 fewer Free Elective hours needed to reach 120 total hours.
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Total:41
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You must also meet the Fine Arts, Literary Studies, Historical Studies, and the Social Science Designation requirements. Those should be met within the courses students choose for the SCL, HUM or ICL course requirements. The FAD (Foundations of American Democracy) course can be taken as part of General Education coursework, Major coursework or Minor coursework.
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Foundations of American Democracy
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The [FAD] requirement may be fulfilled with General Education Courses, Major Courses or Minor Courses. Which one is best for a student will depend upon their chosen major/minor. A list of courses that will fulfill this requirement can be found here: LINK to Foundations of American Democracy Information. The General Education Checksheet shows these courses with an American Flag icon.
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Additional Notes:
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Major GPA InformationEmphasis Area Information
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Major GPA calculation will include all courses taken in the major department, plus any other courses under Major Requirements.24 hours total. The Interdisciplinary Science emphasis area is made up of courses drawn from one or more disciplines, departments or programs, with a single coherent focus in one of the following areas: Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Geology, Mathematics, Medical Physics or Statistics. Students will need to coordinate their emphasis area selection and course options with their departmental advisor.
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Residency Requirements:
Physics Electives Course Information
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30 hours overall must be from App State
9 to 11 Hours total. 9 hours if PHY 1170 and PHY 1180 were taken as introductory courses. 11 hours otherwise. Classes must be at or over the 2000 level. Take enough hours of electives so that 38 hours are completed in the 'Physics' section of the POS.
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18 hours in the major must be from App State
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9 hours in the minor must be from App State
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Please consult with your advisor to ensure you will complete the appropriate number of free electives as needed to reach the 120 total hours required for your degree.
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