Undergraduate Degree(s):

As the Texas top ranked program in undergraduate Physics degrees awarded to African-Americans, the Department of Physics in the College of Science, Engineering and Technology, offers the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree in Physics in two concentrations (1) Engineering Physics and (2) Premedical Physics. Both of these concentrations require 120 credit hours in core classes, foundational mathematics and physics classes including two Advanced Physics Elective courses. In addition, the Engineering Physics concentration requires Engineering and Computer Science elective classes, while the Premedical Physics concentration requires Chemistry, Biology and Psychology.

The B.S. Degree in Physics is offered through the Texas Physics Consortium (TPC), administered by the Texas A&M University System, under a mutual agreement among several other Physics programs within Texas. This unique program offers a Diploma that bears the seal of the Texas A&M University System, in addition to the seal of Texas Southern University, and the other participating campuses that comprise TPC: Prairie View A&M University, Tarleton State University, Texas A &M Kingsville, Texas A & M Corpus Christi, Midwestern State University, and West Texas A& M University. TSU Physics students benefit from the diverse collective expertise of faculty at these institutions through synchronous on-line Physics classes for junior and senior students.

The goal of the undergraduate Physics program is to help students develop learning skills, problem solving techniques and professional ethics and attitudes that will support their further academic work or future employment in their technical or biomedical career of choice, through the study of physics. Of note, students interested in pharmacy would also benefit greatly in the physics premed concentration. It’s not just rocket science: physics is the route to so many careers, from predicting climate change to designing computer games. Find out where physics can take you. It is no coincidence that physics graduates earn the highest scores in professional admission tests such as the MCAT, LSAT or PE. Hence, the graduate with a Physics degree will exhibit understanding of advanced physical concepts, mathematical and analytical skills, and also utilize technology to develop models for solving problems and analyzing new situations.

The Department of Physics is located on the second floor of the Leonard H. O. Spearman Technology Building and has significant resources on site to assist students and ensure their success. Besides teaching Physics laboratories, the faculty in the Department of Physics conducts research and manages well-equipped Radiation Health Physics, Radio Astronomy, High Performance Computing, and Mathematical Physics laboratories. Physics tutoring and MCAT preparation workshops are routinely offered in a dedicated room.

Students wishing to pursue the B.S. degree in Physics are required to contact the Department of Physics about their intentions and declare a minor or a major in a second academic discipline. All courses completed that are designated for the minor selected must be completed with grades of “C” or better, where grades of “C-” are unacceptable. This grade requirement is more stringent for students interested in teaching physics. The same rule applies to students in other disciplines seeking the minor in Physics. Students wishing to pursue either a major (B.S.) or minor in Physics must first be admitted to the University, must satisfy TSI Assessment requirements, must eradicate deficiencies assessed at the time of admission through the University Testing Center, and must petition the Department for admission as TSI Assessment requirements or equivalent are completed. Once admitted to the program, students are assigned an official faculty advisor who must be consulted on a semester basis for schedule approval and status verification for progress toward graduation. An exit examination is required of all graduating seniors pursuing the B.S. in Physics.

The Department of Physics strongly encourages students to seek certification for Teaching Physics or Sciences in the public schools of Texas. The Teacher Certification Officer in the College of Education along with a TSU physics faculty member can further guide and advise students wishing to pursue this opportunity.

The minor in Physics requires 19 semester credit hours. 

The physics Capstone courses are PHYS 415 and PHYS 416, respectively.

Physics Course Inventory