COURSE CURRICULUM

Wichita State University’s Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Physics is a 120-credit program that provides a strong foundation in the principles of matter, energy, motion, and their interactions while offering more academic flexibility than the BS in Physics. Students complete General Education and Liberal Arts and Sciences competency requirements along with a comprehensive physics curriculum that includes Physics for Scientists I and II with laboratory components, Topics in Modern Physics, Analytical Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism, Thermophysics, and Quantum Mechanics I. The program also requires advanced mathematics through Differential Equations and one additional course in Linear Algebra, Advanced Calculus, or Partial Differential Equations for Engineers. Students complete 5 credit hours of chemistry and gain practical scientific experience through laboratory coursework such as Advanced Physics Laboratory, Electronics Laboratory, or Computational Physics Laboratory. Additional upper-division physics electives allow students to explore specialized areas of interest, including modern research topics and advanced applications of physics. Because the BA requires fewer specialized science credits than the BS, it provides greater flexibility for double majors, minors, certificates, pre-professional programs, or interdisciplinary studies in fields such as mathematics, computer science, engineering, business, education, or chemistry. Wichita State’s emphasis on applied learning allows students to participate in research projects, collaborate with faculty and graduate students, gain laboratory experience, and develop practical scientific skills before graduation. Graduates build strong analytical thinking, quantitative reasoning, problem-solving, programming, and research abilities that are highly valued by employers. Career opportunities include research assistant, laboratory specialist, data analyst, technical consultant, science educator, software developer, engineering support professional, and positions in government, industry, and technology sectors. The degree also serves as excellent preparation for graduate study in physics, astronomy, engineering, computer science, materials science, medical physics, and related STEM disciplines. This program is ideal for students who enjoy mathematics, scientific inquiry, experimentation, and understanding the physical world while maintaining flexibility to pursue broader academic and career interests.