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Applied & Computational Mathematics Emphasis (ACME)
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Physics

Course Requirements
Major Academic Plan
Career Paths

There are two different Physics concentration options:

Physics

RequirementsClass NumberClass NameHours*OfferedPrerequisitesNotes
Complete AllPHSCS 121Introduction to Newtonian Mechanics3:3:1F/W/SprCalculus or concurrent enrollment 
PHSCS 220Introduction to Electricity and Magnetism3:3:1F/W/SprMATH 113
& PHSCS 121 (or equivalent)		Recommended
PHSCS 220 and PHSCS 225 taken concurrently
Complete Two
PHSCS 222Modern Physics3:3:0F/WPHSCS 123
& PHSCS 220		 
PHSCS 321Mechanics3:3:0FPHSCS 121
& PHSCS 230
& (MATH 314 or 302)		 
PHSCS 360Statistical and Thermal Physics
3:3:0WPHSCS 220
& (MATH 334 or 303)		 
PHSCS 471Principles of Optics3:3:1WPHSCS 123
& PHSCS 220
& (MATH 314 or 302)		 
PHSCS 441Electrostatics and Magnetism3:3:0FPHSCS 220
& PHSCS 318
PHSCS 442Electrodynamics3:3:0WPHSCS 441 
PHSCS 451Quantum Mechanics3:3:0FPHSCS 222
& PHSCS 318		 
Common Possible PrerequisitePHSCS 123Introduction to Waves, Optics, and Thermodynamics
3:3:1F/W/SpPHSCS 121
& Calculus

RecommendedPHSCS 225Introduction to Experimental Physics2:0:6F/WPHSCS 220 concurrently

*Hours are Credit : Lecture : Lab

Acoustics

RequirementsClass NumberClass NameHours*OfferedPrerequisitesNotes
Complete AllPHSCS 123Introduction to Waves, Optics, and Thermodynamics 3:3:1F/W/SpPHSCS 121
& Calculus		 
PHSCS 461Introduction to Acoustics3:3:0WPHSCS 121
& MATH 334 or 303		Recommended
PHSCS 123
& Concurrent enrollment in PHSCS 318
Complete TwoPHSCS 560Acoustical Measurement Methods3:3:1F- 
PHSCS 561Fundamentals of Acoustics3:3:0FPHSCS 318 or equivalent
& PHSCS 461 or concurrent enrollment		Recommended
PHSCS 318
& PHSCS 321
or equivalents
EC EN 380Signals and Systems4:3:3FEC EN 240
& MATH 334
& MATH 213
& MATH 215
& PHSCS 220		 
Indirectly RequiredPHSCS 121Introduction to Newtonian Mechanics3:3:1F/W/SprCalculus or concurrent enrollment

Possible PrerequisitesPHSCS 220Introduction to Electricity and Magnetism3:3:1F/W/SprMATH 113
& PHSCS 121 (or equivalent)		Recommended
PHSCS 220 and PHSCS 225 taken concurrently
EC EN 240Circuit Analysis and Laboratory4:3:3F/W/SprCS 142 or 111
& MATH 113
& PHSCS 121
& Average of B or better in completed Math, Physics & Computer Science courses		Fee
PHSCS 318Introduction to Mathematical Physics3:3:0F/WPHSCS 230
& MATH 334 or 303		Other prerequisites
Math 302 or Math 314
PHSCS 230Computational Physics Lab 11:0:3F/W/SprMATH 113
& PHSCS 121
& PHSCS 123
& PHSCS 220
& MATH 302 or 213		Recommended
CS 110, 111 or 142

 

*Hours are Credit : Lecture : Lab

There are two different Physics concentration options:

Physics

Physics: EMC2

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● It is recommended that you take the classes highlighted in blue as part of the EMC2 program (see EMC2.byu.edu). If you have credit for Math 113, you can start EMC2 now.

● Since this concentration does not require CS 235, ACME Major can count your EMC2 experience as your CS 111 credit, but it is recommended that you take CS 235 (with Prerequisite CS 111) before starting the Junior Core.

Physics: No Prior Calculus Credit

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Acoustics

Acoustics: EMC2

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Acoustics: No Prior Calculus Credit

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The job titles and graduate degree fields listed below are representative examples of the career and educational paths pursued by our graduates. Many additional opportunities are available depending on your interests and career goals.

Sample Job Titles


  • Research Mathematician
  • Software Developer
  • Implementation Consultant/Specialist
  • Machine Learning Engineer
  • Production Support Analyst
  • Signal Processing
  • Software Engineer
  • Technology Officer
  • Audio Data Engineer

Sample Graduate School Degrees


Master's Degrees

  • Applied Data Science
  • Electrical and Computer Engineering
  • Mathematics
  • Physics

Doctoral Degrees (PhD)

  • Applied Mathematics
  • Computational Physics
  • Computer Science
  • Physics
  • Physics & Astronomy