BA Physics at University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Programme overview

The physics major (BA) consists of 30 hours; students who wish to attend graduate school in physics or astronomy should consider the Physics BS programmes. Prerequisites cover programming, calculus and introductory physics.

Faculty: College of Arts and Sciences | Department: Physics | Duration: Major of 30 hours within a bachelor's degree (18-24 hours of prerequisites) | Study mode: full-time | Location: Knoxville, TN, United States

What you will study

Required courses include Picture a Physicist seminar, Waves, Optics and the Breakdown of Classical Physics, Quantum Physics and Applications and a Physics Proficiency, plus at least 21 hours of electives such as Mechanics, Thermal Physics, Quantum Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism, Modern Optics, astronomy and research courses.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

University of Tennessee, Knoxville first-year admission (university-wide, all undergraduate majors): decisions weigh high school and college grades reported on the Self-Reported Academic Record, ACT or SAT scores (essay not required), rigor of curriculum, recommended coursework, involvement and extracurricular activities. UT calculates a weighted core GPA from 16 recommended core units: 4 English, 4 math, 3 science, 1 American history, 1 European, world history or world geography, 2 of a single foreign language (or ASL) and 1 visual or performing arts; completing all 16 is strongly encouraged but not required. International applicants submit official secondary school transcripts, certificates or exam results and proof of English proficiency (exempt with, for example, two semesters of US college English composition at C or better); those meeting all requirements except English receive conditional admission. A grade of C or better is required in all prerequisites to the major. Honors requires a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25, at least 3.50 in 300- and 400-level mathematics and physics courses, 12 honors hours and a senior thesis.

Requirements published at program group level.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Entry terms: Summer/Fall (first-year Early Action and Regular Decision) and Spring (first-year deadline December 15). Transfer students may enter Fall, Spring or Summer.

First-year Summer/Fall: Early Action submission November 1 and materials November 15; Regular Decision submission January 5 and materials January 20. First-year Spring: December 15. Confirmation deadline May 1. Decisions: Tennessee Early Action early December, out-of-state Early Action mid-December, Regular Decision early March.

Transfer application completion deadlines: Fall July 1, Spring December 15, Summer April 15. Enrollment confirmation: Fall August 1, Spring January 13, Summer May 15.

International undergraduate deadlines: Spring October 1 (confirmation November 1); Summer March 15 (confirmation April 1); Fall Early Action November 1 and Regular Decision January 5 (confirmation May 1).

The first-year application fee is $75 and nonrefundable; apply through the Common Application or the Go Vols application. Fee waivers are available to US citizens and permanent residents but not to international applicants. Standardized test scores are self-reported in the Go Vols portal and official scores are due May 15; Nursing applicants must include ACT/SAT scores.

International applicants pay the $75 nonrefundable undergraduate application fee and must show English proficiency (for example TOEFL iBT, Duolingo or PTE) unless exempt; conditional admission via the ELI carries a $50 application fee.

Apply through the official page: https://admissions.utk.edu/

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