BS Physics at University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Programme overview

The Physics major (BS, Academic Concentration) consists of 48 hours and is aimed at students planning graduate work in physics. It sits in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Faculty: College of Arts and Sciences | Department: Physics and Astronomy | Duration: 48 credit hours in the major | Intake: Fall (Nov 1 Early Action / Jan 5 Regular Decision international deadlines); Spring and Summer entry also available | Study mode: full-time | Location: Knoxville, TN, United States

What you will study

Prerequisites in programming, calculus, differential equations and introductory physics sequences, then core courses such as Mechanics I, Thermal Physics, Waves, Optics and Quantum Physics, plus an academic concentration of upper-level quantum mechanics, electricity and magnetism and electronics laboratory.

Career pathways

Graduate study in physics; the BA is positioned for chemistry, mathematics, education, law, medicine or journalism paths.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Prerequisite courses for the major must be completed with a grade of C or better. University-wide international first-year application: $75 application fee; one essay from seven prompts; official secondary school transcripts; proof of English proficiency unless an exception applies; Fall deadlines Nov 1 (Early Action) and Jan 5 (Regular Decision), with materials due Nov 15 and Jan 20.

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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