Physics, Bachelor of Science (B.S.) with a concentration in pre-medical

The Bachelor of Science in Physics with a concentration in pre-medical requires a minimum of 120 credits. The curriculum prepares students for a health sciences career using physics-based technologies. Students from this program who apply to medical school will have a distinctively rigorous preparation. The curriculum also prepares students for graduate medical physics, biomedical engineering and M.D.-Ph.D. programs.

Student learning outcomes

Upon completing this program, students will know how to do the following:

Physics core outcomes

• 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.
• Demonstrate a fundamental understanding of the main areas of physics
• Demonstrate communication skills, both written and oral, needed to explain the analysis of technical problems
• Demonstrate scientific literacy skills including searching, reading and critically reviewing scientific publications
• Demonstrate proficiency in information processing by generating and interpreting data presented in tables, graphs, drawings and models

Pre-medical concentration-specific outcome

• Demonstrate a fundamental understanding of the application of physics concepts, theories and methods to medicine or health care

Double major in engineering and physics

This double major provides biomedical, chemical and life science, electrical, computer, mechanical, and nuclear engineering majors the opportunity to earn a double major in physics, requiring an additional nine to 17 credits beyond the hours required for the primary engineering major. The requirements for the double major are the same as those in the program description for the Bachelor of Science in Physics. Within the double major, a select number of engineering courses are acceptable substitutes for required physics courses.

The lists below show the total credits and required courses necessary — beyond what can be used as requirements for that major — for students to complete a double major in physics. In addition, the courses that are used from the primary engineering major toward fulfillment of the physics major are provided.

Biomedical engineering (17 credits): Additional courses are MATH 307, PHYS 301, PHYS 320, PHYS 376, PHYS 380 and PHYZ 320 (one credit).

Courses used that are required for the biomedical engineering major include: EGRB 303 replaces PHYS 340; EGRB 401 and EGRB 402 replace PHYS 450 and PHYS 490; and EGRB 427 counts as an upper-level physics elective.*  PHYS 207 and PHYS 208 also are required physics courses, and MATH 310 and STAT 441 count as upper-level physics electives.*

Chemical and life science engineering (13 credits): Additional courses are PHYS 301, PHYS 320, PHYS 376, PHYS 380 and PHYZ 320 (one credit).

Courses used that are required for the chemical or life science engineering major include: CLSE 305 replaces PHYS 340; ENGR 402, ENGR 403, CLSE 402 and CLSE 403 replace PHYS 450 and PHYS 490; and CLSE 301 and CLSE 302 count as upper-level physics electives.*  PHYS 207 and PHYS 208 are also required physics courses, and STAT 441 counts as an upper-level physics elective.*

Computer engineering (nine credits): Additional courses are PHYS 301, PHYS 340 and PHYS 380.

Courses used that can be taken to complete the computer engineering major include: EGRE 309 (computer engineering elective) replaces PHYS 376; and ENGR 402, ENGR 403 and one selection from EGRE 404 and EGRE 405 (both) or EGRE 406 and EGRE 407 (both) replace PHYS 450 and PHYS 490. EGRE 306 and EGRE 310 also count as an upper-level physics electives,* and the two remaining credits of upper-level physics electives* can be chosen from EGRE 303, EGRE 307, EGRE 334 and EGRE 521. MATH 307, PHYS 320 and PHYZ 320 (one credit) are required for physics and can be used as technical electives for computer engineering. PHYS 207 and PHYS 208 are also required physics courses. 

Electrical engineering (nine credits): Additional courses are PHYS 301, PHYS 340 and PHYS 380.

Courses used that can be taken to complete the electrical engineering major include: EGRE 309 replaces PHYS 376; and ENGR 402, ENGR 403, and one selection from EGRE 404 and EGRE 405 (both) or EGRE 406 and EGRE 407 (both) replace PHYS 450 and PHYS 490. EGRE 303, EGRE 306 and EGRE 310 also count as upper-level physics electives.* PHYS 320 and PHYZ 320 (one credit) are required for physics and can be used as technical electives for electrical engineering. PHYS 207 and PHYS 208 are required physics courses. 

Mechanical engineering (13 credits): Additional courses are PHYS 301, PHYS 320, PHYS 376, PHYS 380 and PHYZ 320 (one credit).

Courses used that can be taken to complete the mechanical engineering major include: EGMN 302 replaces PHYS 340; and ENGR 402, ENGR 403, EGMN 402 and EGMN 403 replace PHYS 450 and PHYS 490. Taken together, EGMN 301, EGMN 309, and either STAT 441 or EGMN 351 satisfy the upper-level physics elective requirement.* PHYS 207 and PHYS 208 are required physics courses.

Mechanical engineering majors should consult with an adviser to determine whether any upper-level physics courses can be used to satisfy mechanical engineering technical elective or nuclear engineering elective requirements.

* Any physics/physics-related elective course as listed in the bulletin description for the B.S. in Physics.

With regard to general education requirements, students must fulfill the requirements of their primary engineering major. Any student interested in a physics double major should contact the physics department at (804) 828-1818 or physics@vcu.edu.

Students must complete 37 credits in physics and physics-related electives and 51 credits in
ancillary requirements. 

Degree requirements for Physics, Bachelor of Science (B.S.) with a concentration in premedical

The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.

Courses not applicable toward the major

What follows is a sample plan that meets the prescribed requirements within a four-year course of study at VCU. Please contact your adviser before beginning course work toward a degree.

Recommended course sequence/plan of study 

Freshman year
Fall semester		Hours
BIOL 151 & BIOZ 151	Introduction to Biological Sciences I and Introduction to Biological Science Laboratory I	4
CHEM 101	General Chemistry I (satisfies general education BOK for natural sciences and AOI for scientific and logical reasoning)	3
CHEZ 101	General Chemistry Laboratory I (recommended) 1	1
MATH 200	Calculus with Analytic Geometry I (satisfies general education quantitative foundations)	4
UNIV 101 or UNIV 103 or UNIV 191	Introduction to the University (satisfies open elective) or Education and Career Planning or Student Success Special Topics	1
UNIV 111 Play course video for Introduction to Focused Inquiry: Investigation and Communication	Introduction to Focused Inquiry: Investigation and Communication (satisfies general education UNIV foundations)	3
	Term Hours:	15
Spring semester
BIOL 152 & BIOZ 152	Introduction to Biological Sciences II and Introduction to Biological Science Laboratory II	4
MATH 201	Calculus with Analytic Geometry II	4
PHYS 207 & PHYZ 207	University Physics I and University Physics I Laboratory (satisfies general education BOK for natural sciences and AOI for scientific and logical reasoning)	5
UNIV 200	Advanced Focused Inquiry: Literacies, Research and Communication (satisfies general education UNIV foundations)	3
	Term Hours:	16
Sophomore year
Fall semester
CHEM 102 & CHEZ 102	General Chemistry II and General Chemistry Laboratory II	4
MATH 307	Multivariate Calculus	4
PHYS 208 & PHYZ 208	University Physics II and University Physics II Laboratory	5
General education course (select BOK to complete breadth of knowledge requirement and AOI for diversities in the human experience)		3
	Term Hours:	16
Spring semester
MATH 301	Differential Equations	3
CHEM 301 & CHEZ 301	Organic Chemistry and Organic Chemistry Laboratory I	5
PHYS 301	Classical Mechanics I	3
PHYS 320	Modern Physics	3
	Term Hours:	14
Junior year
Fall semester
CHEM 302 & CHEZ 302	Organic Chemistry and Organic Chemistry Laboratory II	5
PHYS 317	Preparing for the MCAT and Medical Sciences	3
PHYZ 320	Modern Physics Laboratory	1
PHYS 417 or PHYS 425	Topics in Biophysics or Computational Physics and Data Analysis	3
AI literacy course 2		3
	Term Hours:	15
Spring semester
PHYS 335	Experimental Skills for Physicists	3
PHYS 340	Statistical Mechanics and Thermodynamics	3
PHYS 376	Electromagnetism I	3
General education courses		6
	Term Hours:	15
Senior year
Fall semester
CHEM 403	Biochemistry I	3
PHYS 380	Quantum Physics I	3
PHYS 425 or PHYS 417	Computational Physics and Data Analysis or Topics in Biophysics	3
Open electives		5
	Term Hours:	14
Spring semester
PHYS 450	Senior Physics Laboratory	3
PHYS 490	Seminar in Conceptual Physics	1
General education course (select BOK to complete breadth of knowledge requirement and AOI for for global perspectives)		3
Open electives (complete upper level if needed)		8
	Term Hours:	15
	Total Hours:	120

The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.

Accelerated B.S. and M.S.

The accelerated B.S. and M.S. program allows academically talented students to earn both the B.S. in Physics and M.S. in Physics and Applied Physics in a minimum of five years by completing approved graduate courses during the senior year of their undergraduate program. Students in the program may count up to 12 hours of graduate courses toward both the B.S. and M.S. degrees. Thus, the two degrees may be earned with a minimum of 138 credits rather than the 150 credits necessary if the two degrees are pursued separately.

Students holding these degrees will be more competitive when seeking research and development positions in industry and admission to physics Ph.D. programs. In addition, an M.S. degree is required for most undergraduate teaching positions. The master’s program enables students to deepen their understanding of physics while gaining actual experience in research at the frontiers of physics.

Entrance to the accelerated program

Interested undergraduate students should consult with their adviser as early as possible to receive specific information about the accelerated program, determine academic eligibility and submit (no later than two semesters prior to graduating with a baccalaureate degree, that is, before the end of the spring semester of their junior year) an Accelerated Program Declaration Form to be approved by the graduate program director. Limited spaces may be available in the accelerated program. Academically qualified students may not receive approval if capacity has been reached.

Minimum qualifications for entrance to this accelerated program include completion of 85 undergraduate credit hours, including PHYS 376 and PHYS 380; an overall GPA of 3.25; and a GPA of 3.25 in physics course work.

Once enrolled in the accelerated program, students must meet the standards of performance applicable to graduate students as described in the “Satisfactory academic progress” section of Bulletin, including maintaining a 3.0 GPA. Guidance to students in an accelerated program is provided by both the undergraduate physics adviser and the graduate adviser specified in the student’s agreed-upon plan of study.

Admission to the graduate program

Entrance to the accelerated program enables the student to take the approved shared courses that will apply to the undergraduate and graduate degrees. However, entry into an accelerated program via an approved Accelerated Program Declaration Form does not constitute application or admission into the graduate program. Admission to the graduate program requires a separate step that occurs through a formal application. In order to continue pursuing the master’s degree after the baccalaureate degree is conferred, accelerated students must follow the admission to graduate study requirements outlined in the VCU Bulletin. 

Degree requirements

The Bachelor of Science in Physics degree will be awarded upon completion of a minimum of 120 credits and the satisfactory completion of all undergraduate degree requirements as stated in the Undergraduate Bulletin. 

A maximum of 12 graduate credits may be taken prior to completion of the baccalaureate degree. These graduate credits substitute for required major electives or open elective credits for the undergraduate degree. These courses are shared credits with the graduate program, meaning that they will be applied to both undergraduate and graduate degree requirements.

The graduate physics courses that may be taken as an undergraduate, once a student is admitted to the program, are:

Recommended course sequence/plan of study

What follows is the recommended plan of study for students interested in the accelerated program beginning in the fall of the junior year prior to admission to the accelerated program in the senior year. The thesis option for the M.S. is shown.