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Physics Minor

College of Sciences / Natural Sciences
Undergraduate minor

About The Program

A man in a brown jacket lectures in front of a screen and near a piece of lab equipment

The physics minor provides students with a broad introduction to the discipline of physics combined with further exploration of at least one area of interest. The minor introduces students to the fundamental laws that govern nature and the universe and complements other majors where additional physics knowledge is of benefit. It prepares students to apply scientific methodology to solve physics problems, to think critically and quantitatively, to relate physics to their daily life and environment, and to understand the experimental and theoretical methods used in modern physics.

Student outcomes

Students will be able to:

  • Demonstrate a rigorous understanding of the core theories and principles of physics. More specifically, students will be able to:
    • Understand and apply:
      • the laws of mechanics (Newton’s laws of motion, work, energy, momentum, rotational motion, fluids, gravity, etc).
      • the laws of electricity and magnetism.
      • the laws of thermodynamics.
      • the laws of special relativity.
      • the laws of quantum mechanics.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in the collection, analysis and interpretation of data. More specifically, students will be able to:
    • Understand the design of an experiment
    • Analyze results and interpret data
    • Document the experiments and results using standard discipline conventions
    • Design an experiment to test a particular hypothesis
  • Communicate scientific information in oral, written, and graphical formats.
    • Identify the parts of a primary literature report
    • Summarize, by writing, a scientific experiment or series of experiments using discipline language.
    • Orally present a scientific concept.
    • Write a scientific report in the style of primary literature

How to enroll

Current students: Declare this program

Once you’re admitted as an undergraduate student and have met any further admission requirements your chosen program may have, you may declare a major or declare an optional minor.

Future students: Apply now

Apply to Metropolitan State: Start the journey toward your Physics Minor now. Learn about the steps to enroll or, if you have questions about what Metropolitan State can offer you, request information, visit campus or chat with an admissions counselor.

Get started on your Physics Minor

Program eligibility requirements

To be eligible for acceptance to the Physics minor, students must submit a College of Sciences Undergraduate Program Declaration Form once they have successfully completed all prerequisite courses. Each core science course must include at least one semester credit of professionally supervised on-ground laboratory experience with standard undergraduate laboratory equipment and materials. Lower-division (100- and 200-level) courses cannot be used to fulfill upper division core or elective requirements in the minor. All prerequisite and required courses must be completed with grades of C- or above. Transfer coursework equivalency is determined by the Natural Sciences Department.

Courses and Requirements

SKIP TO COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Each student must complete 20 credits in the minor including at least 5 upper division credits and at least 10 credits completed at Metropolitan State University. A student must include at least 5-credits of coursework in the physics minor that is not counted as part of their major or other minor. Work with your academic advisor to assure both major and minor requirements are met when planning out your course load every semester towards graduation.All prerequisite and required courses must be completed with grades of C- or above.

Minor Requirements (20 credits)

+ Core (10 credits)

This is the first course of a two semester sequence covering the fundamental concepts of physics. This course covers Newton's laws of motion, work, energy, linear momentum, rotational motion, gravity, equilibrium and elasticity, periodic motion, fluid mechanics, temperature, heat, and the laws of thermodynamics. Laboratories emphasize application of physics concepts and quantitative problem solving skills. Intended for science majors and general education students with strong mathematical background.

Full course description for Calculus Based Physics I

This is the second course of a two semester sequence covering the fundamental concepts of physics. This course covers oscillatory motion, waves, superposition and interference of waves, diffraction, electricity and magnetism, electric circuits, light, mirrors and lenses. Laboratories emphasize application of physics concepts and quantitative problem solving skills. Intended for science majors.

Full course description for Calculus Based Physics II

+ Electives (10 credits)

At least two courses from the following list, or other advanced courses by advisor permission, including at least five credits of Physics and combining to reach the number of credits required for the minor (10 credits Metropolitan State, 5 credits upper division, 20 credits )

Internships offer students opportunities to gain deeper knowledge and skills in their chosen field. Students are responsible for locating their own internship. Metro faculty members serve as liaisons to the internship sites¿ supervisors and as evaluators to monitor student work and give academic credit for learning. Students are eligible to earn 1 credit for every 40 hours of work completed at their internship site. Students interested in internships within the Natural Sciences Department should work with their advisor and/or faculty internship coordinator to discuss the process for your specific major.

Full course description for Physics Internship

This course introduces the concepts of thermodynamics. Topics include the first law of thermodynamics, the second law of thermodynamics, entropy, statistical mechanics, specific heat capacities of gases and solids, efficiency and the Carnot cycle, chemical potential, chemicals and phase equilibriums, etc. Applications explored will include the behavior of gases and the operation of heat engines. Laboratories emphasize real world applications of the concepts and problem solving skills taught in this course.

Full course description for Thermodynamics

This course takes advantage of scientific presentations offered in the Twin Cities area by educational institutions such as Metropolitan State University and the University of Minnesota. This course can, with instructor permission, be taken more than once for credit. Intended for students minoring in physics.

Full course description for Seminars in Physics

This is a faculty designed independent study (FDIS) which provides students the opportunity to do independent research in the field of theoretical and/or computational physics under the supervision of a resident physics faculty member. This course will improve problem solving, numerical/computational, and mathematical skills of the students. At the end of the course, students must complete a research report which must be approved by the instructor. The number of credits will be decided by the faculty and the student.

Full course description for Directed Research in Physics

Mathematical modeling is the process of using mathematics and computational tools to gain insights into complex problems arising in the sciences, business, industry, and society. Mathematical modeling is an iterative process which involves a computational approach to the scientific method. Assumptions are established, a mathematical structure consistent with those assumptions is developed, hypotheses are produced and tested against empirical evidence, and then the model is refined accordingly. The quality of these models is examined as part of the verification process, and the entire cycle repeats as improvements and adjustments to the model are made. This course provides an introduction to both the mathematical modeling process as well as deterministic and stochastic methods that are commonly employed to investigate time-dependent phenomena.

Full course description for Introduction to Mathematical Modeling

This course addresses the theory and practice of using algorithms and computer programming to solve mathematical problems. Possible topics include roundoff and truncation errors, solution of nonlinear equations, systems of linear and nonlinear equations, interpolation and approximation, numerical differentiation and integration, numerical solution of ordinary differential equations.

Full course description for Computational Mathematics

This course provides students with significant problem-solving experience through investigating complex, open-ended problems arising in real-world settings. Working in teams, students apply mathematical modeling processes to translate problems presented to them into problems that can be investigated using the mathematical, statistical, and computational knowledge and thinking they have gained from previous coursework. Significant emphasis is placed on justifying approaches used to investigate problems, coordinating the work of team members, and communicating analyses and findings to technical and non-technical audiences.

Full course description for Advanced Mathematical Modeling