The B.S. degree is designed as a beginning and foundation for students planning to continue their studies in graduate school and are, therefore, preparatory to professional training in physics or astrophysics.
B.S. in Physics: PHYC 290, 301, 303, 304, 307L, 308L, 330, 405, 406, 491, 492, 493L; and one 3-hour Physics course numbered above 300. PHYC 451 and 452 cannot be substituted for the 3-hour elective course numbered above 300.
Required supportive courses: MATH 311, 312, 316, 321; CHEM 121,123L and 122,124L
B.S. in Physics with a concentration in Optics: For the degree of B.S. in Physics with a concentration in Optics: PHYC 290, 301, 302, 303, 304, 302L, 330, 366, 405, 406. Optics elective number 1: must be chosen as one of PHYC 463, 464, ASTR 426, or ECE 475. Optics elective number 2: must be chosen as one of PHYC 430, 477L, 493L, or 554. In addition, these two electives must be chosen in such a way that one of the Optics electives is either PHYC 430 or ECE 475. Science/Engineering/Math elective number 1: must be at the 200 level or above; Science/Engineering/Math elective number 2: must be at the 300 level or above.
Required supportive courses: MATH 314, 316; CHEM 121,123L, 122,124L
Online Availability: Partial
Career Opportunities
A general program that focuses on the scientific study of matter and energy, and the formulation and testing of the laws governing the behavior of the matter-energy continuum. Includes instruction in classical and modern physics, electricity and magnetism, thermodynamics, mechanics, wave properties, nuclear processes, relativity and quantum theory, quantitative methods, and laboratory methods.
September 2025
College of Arts and Sciences
MSC 03 2120, Ortega Hall 201,
1 University of New Mexico,
ALBUQUERQUE,
New Mexico,
87131, United States
Secondary Education: Completion of the equivalent of an American upper-secondary school education (approximately 12 years of formal education beginning at age six) as well as the appropriate diplomas or satisfactory results on leaving examinations.
Academic Preparation: Strong academic preparation and a U.S.-equivalent cumulative grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale (for freshman applicants)
English Proficiency:
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) - minimum score 6.0; the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) - minimum score 520 paper-based, or 68 Internet-based; the Duolingo English Test - minimum score 95; the University of Cambridge Examinations Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) or Certificate of Advanced English (CAE) - minimum score C; or the Pearson Test of English- Academic (PTE) - minimum score 47
Priority Dates: Fall Term - May 1; Spring Term - December 13; Summer Term - June 1
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.
