2021-2022
Physics, Bachelor of Science (accelerated masters degree option)
VCU
Community college:
Associate of Science: Math/Computer Science (Richard Bland College of William and Mary)
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
Transfer major map
2021-2022
Physics, Bachelor of Science (accelerated masters degree option)
Richard Bland College of William and Mary (Associate of Science: Math/Computer Science)
| 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 RBC Orientation.
- Schedule an appointment with your Learner Mentor to discuss your degree and class plan.
- Attend FAFSA Fridays to understand how you will fund your education. These events are available every Friday in October and February.
- Use tutoring to get ahead.
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.
- Review VCU's Physics Department website for course requirements and possible connections with faculty and peers.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
- Attend cultural events at RBC and/or VCU and celebrate diversity.
- Attend VCU's annual Intercultural Festival or another community intercultural event.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
- Explore possible career opportunities for Physics majors.
- Build a LinkedIn profile.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
- Practice independent living skills (such as money management, self-care, time management, and personal responsibility).
- Take advantage of free Financial Aid counseling.
- Assess your preparation for a career by completing a Gap Analysis.
- Familiarize yourself with the career services offered at RBC and VCU and explore career pathways on the VCU Career Services website.
Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
- Use tutoring to get ahead.
- Explore your eligibility for the Two-Year College Transfer Grant.
- Be prepared for academic challenges by meeting with your Learner Mentor and understanding RBC Student Support available.
- Explore the accelerated BS to MS in Physics program.
- Explore the concentrations of the physics degree: nanoscience and premedical.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
- Visit the VCU campus and attend a transfer admission session.
- Attend a talk or other event sponsored by the VCU Physics Department.
- Volunteer for service learning or community service projects.
- 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.
- Continue learning a foreign language or make a plan for undertaking that study at VCU.
- Attend VCU cultural events, including the monthly Global Café, VCU Diversity Scholars in Research week, or Physics department-related events.
- Become familiar with OMSA at VCU.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
- Find out about VCU REAL and learn about REAL graduation requirement.
- Attend Career & Internship Fairs at RBC or VCU to explore your interests.
- Plan to complete at least two job experiences, (e.g., internships) before your senior year of college.
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.
- Explore the types of aid available at VCU.
Recommended courses
2021-2022
Physics, Bachelor of Science (accelerated masters degree option)
Richard Bland College of William and Mary (Associate of Science: Math/Computer Science)
| Course | Title | Equivalent course | Credits | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGL 101 | Rhetoric and Research I Note: students with credit for AP English Language and Composition will only receive credit for UNIV 111 at VCU and should take ENGL 102 to fulfill the VCU composition requirement. | UNIV 111-112 | 3 | General education |
| ENGL 102 | Rhetoric and Research II | UNIV 200 | 3 | General education |
| Core course in The Art and Language of Ideas (select 1): ENGL - 203, ENGL - 204, ENGL - 205, ENGL - 206, ENGL - 210, ENGL - 211, ENGL - 214, ENGL - 215, ENGL - 216, PHIL - 101, PHIL - 121, PHIL - 201, PHIL - 202, PHIL - 203, PHIL - 270, REL - 201, COMM - 101, COMM - 102, COMM - 201 | VCU equivalent | 3 | General education | |
| Fine Arts | Core course in The Language and History of the Fine Arts (select 1): ART 201, 202, 231, MUS 103, 123, THEA 201. | VCU equivalent | 3 | General education |
| Human Experience | Select one from the following: PHIL - 101, PHIL - 203, PSY - 201, PSY - 202, PSY - 218, PSY - 250, PSY - 292, PSY - 295, REL - 201, REL - 209, REL - 210, SOC - 201, SOC - 204, SOC - 208, SOC - 250, SOC - 253 | VCU equivalent | 3 | General education |
| U.S. & World Cultures | Select 1: ECO 201, ECO 202, GEO 101, GEO 103, GOVT 201, GOVT 202, GOVT 203, HIST 101, HIST 102, HIST 192, HIST 201, HIST 202, HIST 240, REL 209, REL 210, REL 219, REL 220, REL 254 | VCU equivalent | 3 | General education |
| MATH 251 | Calculus I | MATH 200 | 4 | Major (Ancillary) |
| MATH 252 | Calculus II | MATH 201 | 4 | Major (Ancillary) |
| MATH 261 | Multivariable Calculus | MATH 307 | 3 | Major (Ancillary) |
| MATH 254 | Elementary Linear Algebra | MATH 310 | 3 | Major (Ancillary) |
| MATH 271 | Differential Equations | MATH 301 | 3 | Major (Ancillary) |
| PHYS 201 | University Physics I | PHYS 207 | 4 | Major (Ancillary) |
| PHYS 202 | University Physics II | PHYS 208 | 4 | Major |
| CSCI 221 | Programming for Computer Science & Engineering Majors | CMSC 255 | 4 | Elective |
| Electives | No more than 2 credits of PE may be chosen | VCU equivalent | 13 | Elective |
| Richard Bland credits transferred to VCU | 60 | |||
| Course | Title | Credits | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foreign language through the 102 level (by course or placement). (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 | |
| 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 |
| Select six credits of approved electives (see VCU advisor for course options) | 6 | Major | |
| Electives: consider a minor or a second major Note: Students must complete a minimum of 45 upper-level credits to graduate from VCU | 34 | Elective | |
| Credits completed at VCU | 60 | ||
| Bachelor's degree total | 120 | ||