2020-2021
Bachelor of Science: Physics
VCU
Community college:
Associate of Science: Science, Mathematics Specialization (Reynolds Community College (program specific pathway))
Associate degree
Program description
The curriculum in physics prepares students for technical careers in physics or an allied area, for careers in engineering and for the teaching of physics in secondary schools. The curriculum also prepares students for graduate studies in physics or a related area.
Students will learn to perform scientific reasoning and complex problem-solving. Physics majors will receive a fundamental understanding of the main areas of physics so that they are prepared for jobs that use physics-based technologies. They are expected to have mastered the analytical approach to solving technical problems by identifying simple subsystems that obey known physical laws and using these laws to approximate the behavior of the whole system.
Career opportunities
With a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics, students can pursue careers in research and development, science, engineering, education, medicine, law, business, and the military.
Bachelor-level job titles
- Automotive Engineer
- Computer Systems Analyst
- Environmental Compliance Inspector
- Geophysical Data Technician
- High School Teacher
- Photonics Engineer
- Quality Control Analyst
- Regulatory Affairs Specialist
- Software Quality Assurance Engineer/Tester
- Technical Writer
- Web Developer
Graduate and professional level job titles
- Astrophysicist
- Engineer
- Meteorologist
- Secondary School Teacher
Contact information
Telephone: (804) 827-1349
Email: transferinfo@vcu.edu
VCCS Transfer Planning Checklist
Telephone: (804) 828-1222 or (800) 841-3638
Email: ugrad@vcu.edu
Apply Here.
Guaranteed transfer admission requirements
Completion of associate degree
Minimum GPA of 2.5
All courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or better
Degree requirements in Bulletin
Plan of study in Bulletin
Requirements
Highest level of math required
- MATH 201 or higher
Science required
- 5+ additional science courses
Foreign language requirements
- Yes
Additional tuition/fees
- Yes
GPA requirements (to progress/graduate in the major)
- 2.0
VCU Major Maps
Transfer major map
2020-2021
Bachelor of Science: Physics
Reynolds Community College (program specific pathway) (Associate of Science: Science, Mathematics Specialization)
| MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING | GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY | DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY | EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS | PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE | ||
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| Explore | Year 1 |
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| Experience | Year 2 |
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Explore
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
- Attend Reynolds Orientation (SOAR).
- Register for SDV 101.
- Use Navigate to schedule an appointment with your advisor.
- Be prepared for academic challenges in your classes. Use tutoring resources to get ahead.
- Start your math sequence and pass ENG 111-112.
- Meet with VCU STEM Transitions Transfer Coordinator to discuss options and create a plan for a successful transition to VCU.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
- Get involved with student clubs and organizations.
- Volunteer for service learning or community service projects.
- Learn about the transfer admission process for VCU.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
- Attend cultural events at community college and/or VCU and celebrate diversity.
- Attend VCU’s annual Intercultural Festival or another community intercultural event.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
- Browse careers related to physics through the Virginia Wizard.
- Explore the community college’s iGrad’s Job Genius Search Engine to look into building a career and financial future.
- Build a LinkedIn profile.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
- Take a career assessment through the Virginia Wizard.
- Assess your preparation for a career by completing a Gap Analysis.
- Practice independent living skills (such as money management, self-care, time management, and personal responsibility).
- Familiarize yourself with the Career Services offered at Community College and VCU and explore Career Pathways on VCU Career Services’ Website.
Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
- Meet with your academic advisor.
- Be prepared for academic challenges in your classes. Use tutoring resources to get ahead.
- Research scholarship opportunities and explore your eligibility for the Two-Year College Transfer Grant.
- Review VCU's Physics Department website for course requirements and possible connections with faculty and peers.
- Meet with VCU STEM Transitions Transfer Coordinator.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
- Visit the VCU campus and attend a transfer admission session.
- Research housing for next year.
- Join a professional organization related to physics: American Physical Society, Society of Physics Students.
- Participate in the STEM Transitions: Transfer Success Program after you’re admitted to VCU.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
- Learn about short-term, semester and year-long study abroad options.
- Consider learning a foreign language to open doors to international organizations and future study.
- Attend VCU cultural events, including the monthly Global Café, VCU Diversity Scholars in Research week, or Physics-related events.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
- Find out about VCU REAL.
- Attend Career & Internship Fairs at community college or VCU to explore your interests
- Plan to complete at least two internships (job experiences) before your senior year of college.
- Create a draft resume and bring it to career services advisor or workshop for review.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
- Conduct informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of career interest.
- Using LinkedIn, connect to at least 10 people. Check out the VCU alumni page in My Network.
- Consider who you would like to have serve as professional and academic references for future letters of recommendation.
- Use the cost calculator to estimate your tuition/fees as an upperclassman at VCU.
- Take advantage of free Financial Aid counseling.
Recommended courses
2020-2021
Bachelor of Science: Physics
Reynolds Community College (program specific pathway) (Associate of Science: Science, Mathematics Specialization)
| Course | Title | Equivalent course | Credits | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SDV 101 | Orientation to STEM Disciplines | UNIV 101 | 1 | Elective |
| ENG 111 | College Composition I Note: students with credit for AP English Language and Composition will only receive credit for UNIV 111 at VCU and should take ENG 112 to fulfill the VCU composition requirement. | UNIV 111-112 | 3 | General education |
| Laboratory Science I | PHY 241 University Physics I | PHYS 207 | 4 | Major |
| MTH 263 | Calculus I | MATH 200 | 4 | Major |
| CSC 155 | Computer Concepts and Applications | INFO 160, 161, 162 | 3 | Elective |
| ENG 112 | College Composition II | UNIV 200 | 3 | General education |
| Laboratory Science II | PHY 242 University Physics II | PHYS 208 | 4 | Major |
| MTH 264 | Calculus II | MATH 201 | 4 | Major |
| History elective | U.S. or Western Civilization History (select 1): HIS 101, 102, 121, 122 | HIST | 3 | General education |
| Social/Behavioral Scienc | Select 1: PSY 200, SOC 200, 210, PLS 211 | VCU equivalent | 3 | General education |
| MTH 265 | Calculus III | MATH 307 | 4 | Major |
| MTH 145 | Statistics I | STAT 212 | 3 | Elective |
| Humanities/Fine Arts | Select 1: PHI 111, 220; ART 101, 106; MUS 121; CST 151; any REL | VCU equivalent | 3 | General education |
| Laboratory Science elective | Approved Mathematics, Laboratory Science, or Computer Science elective | VCU equivalent | 4 | Elective |
| MTH 288 | Discrete Mathematics | MATH 211 | 3 | Elective |
| HLT/PED | Personal Wellness elective | VCU equivalent | 1 | Elective |
| History elective | U.S. or Western Civilization History (select 1): HIS 101, 102, 121, 122 | HIST | 3 | General education |
| Humanities/Literature | 200-level ENG literature course (select 1): ENG 241, 242, 243, 244, 251, 252, 253, 254 | ENGL | 3 | General education |
| Transfer electives | Approved transfer elective (select seven credits) | VCU equivalent | 7 | Elective |
| Reynolds credits transferred to VCU | 63 | |||
| Course | Title | Credits | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foreign language through the 102 level. (This requirement can be fulfilled by means of completion of the 102-level of a language or waived if the student completed up through the third level of a foreign language in high school. Additionally, language waiver and placement testing options are available for native or heritage speakers of a non-english language.) | 0 to 8 | General education | |
| MATH 301 | Differential Equations | 3 | Major |
| PHYS 301 | Classical mechanics I | 3 | Major |
| PHYS 320 + PHYZ 320 | Modern Physics and Laboratory | 4 | Major |
| PHYS 340 | Statistical Mechanics and Thermodynamics | 3 | Major |
| PHYS 376 | Electromagnetism I | 3 | Major |
| PHYS 380 | Quantum Physics I | 3 | Major |
| PHYS 450 | Senior Physics Laboratory | 3 | Major |
| PHYS 490 | Seminar in Conceptual Physics | 1 | Major |
| PHYS | Select 11 credits of elective physics classes (see VCU advisor for course options) | 11 | Major |
| Electives consider a minor or a second major Note: Students must complete a minimum of 45 upper-level credits to graduate from VCU. | 23 | Elective | |
| Credits completed at VCU | 57 | ||
| Bachelor's degree total | 120 | ||