Bachelor of Science in Physics Requirements

The BSc in Physics program involves the development of a great range of knowledge, skills, and competencies. These may be summarized in terms of:

critical thinking, inventiveness and ability to address unforeseen problems
core physics knowledge, including basic concepts and the “canon” of physics topics
scientific and technical skills, including problem solving, use of advanced mathematics, modelling and simulations, generic experimental skills, coding and software use, data processing and analysis (including use of industry-standard software)
communication skills, including scientific presentations and writing (such as for professional conferences and journals) and the ability to communicate science content and outcomes to individuals untrained in science (such as investors, managers, general audience or young people)
professional and workplace skills, including problem solving, communication, management, working effectively with others, and dealing with constraints (applicable in a range of careers in industry, government, non-governmental organizations, teaching, or self-employment)

Prospects for employment opportunities for physics graduates is excellent. There is a growing demand in almost every sector of the job market. Physicists are employed in many industries, including energy (nuclear power, oil, and gas), materials (petrochemicals and metals); aviation, aerospace, and defense; pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and life sciences; healthcare equipment and services; transportation, trade, and logistics; education; financial services; and telecommunications.

Program Educational Objectives

The Physics BSc will provide students with:

Flexibility – to allow increased options for students to pursue interests and choices of courses aligned with career goals.
Career-relevant tracks – to better prepare students for diverse careers, especially targeting UAE needs and employment opportunities.
Capstone experiences that are career relevant – to provide meaningful integration of program learning outcomes with experiences with industry requirements and standard tools.
Applications and career-relevant skills as part of coursework – to connect the learning of physics principles and techniques with real-world and cross-disciplinary applications, contexts, and requirements; to introduce problem definition, project management, and authentic research experiences; to incorporate communication and professional skills development and use of industry- standard tools throughout the curriculum.
Co-curricular activities – to provide diverse opportunities for achieving learning outcomes via Department colloquia, interactions with alumni, student organization, outreach activities, undergraduate participation in teaching and research, site visits, advising and mentoring activities.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students graduating with a BSc in Physics will have achieved the following set of knowledge and performance-based skills, and affective competencies:

Apply understanding of the sciences, mathematics, and other relevant disciplines to physics and integration of this knowledge to solve problems; apply crosscutting themes; apply laws of physics (demonstrate the breadth of physics specific knowledge).
Solve problems individually and collaboratively involving the integration of physics and other knowledge, development of theoretical solutions, use of various concept representations, computational methods, simulations, and experimental tests (demonstrate types of physics specific knowledge).
Solve complex, ambiguous problems in real-world contexts; relate and explain results, suggest follow- on steps, place results in perspective; demonstrate competence with 1) instrumentation, 2) professional software, 3) coding, and 4) data analytics (demonstrate the range of scientific and technical skills).
Identify appropriate approaches to a question or problem such as applying or developing theory, developing an analytic model, making rough estimates based on reasoned, specific strategies, performing an experiment, performing a simulation (demonstrate the selectivity of scientific and technical skills).
Obtain information and evaluate its accuracy by reading, listening, discussing; explain or persuade an audience on scientific or technical concepts; use feedback to revise and improve written work and other informative presentations (demonstrate the range of communication skills)
Organize and communicate about scientific and technical concepts for different audiences and contexts using various and appropriate communication methods and modalities (demonstrate selectivity of communication skills).
Demonstrate individual preparation for work and work collegially and collaboratively in diverse, interdisciplinary teams both as a leader and as a member in pursuing a common goal (demonstrate professional/workplace competency regarding autonomy and responsibility).
Identify independently what must be understood and learn it; generate new ideas; obtain knowledge about existing resources relevant for the task at hand (demonstrate professional/workplace competency regarding self-development).
Demonstrate familiarity with basic workplace concepts, issues, practices, professional conduct, and life skills (demonstrate professional/workplace competency in regard to a role in context).

Program Facilities

Studio-format courses are conducted in state-of-the-art classrooms and workshops that facilitate active learning, development of skills and appropriate habits of mind, and higher-order thinking, through cooperative and collaborative activities and projects.
Lecture-format courses are conducted in a traditional classroom setting using both the whiteboard and PowerPoint software.
Laboratory classes are conducted in Physics Laboratories equipped with state-of-the-art technology and equipment, designed for optimal instructional use and safety.

Professional Chapters and Clubs

Students are encouraged to take up Undergraduate Membership of one, or more, of the professional physical societies such as the Institute of Physics (IoP) and the American Physics Society (APS). Students will also be encouraged to join an on-campus student Physics Club to help organize and participate student- focused seminars, activities, and competitions.

Degree Requirements

To be recommended for the degree of BSc in Physics, students must satisfactorily complete the courses in the specified categories as set out below. The categories cover the University General Education Requirements, additional Mathematics and Science course requirements, the Physics Core, and Technical Electives requirements. The normal length of the undergraduate BSc in Physics is 120 credits, comprising 48 credits of University General Education Requirements (GERs), additional Science and Math Requirements (13 credits), core courses (44 credits), technical electives (11 credits) and Math/Science/Engineering Electives (4 credits).

Additional Science and Mathematics Requirements (13 credits)

Students must take the following four courses:

Physics Core Requirements (44 credits)

Students must take the following core courses:

Physics Technical Electives (11 credits)

To satisfy the BSc in Physics Technical Elective requirement, students must have a minimum of 11 credits from any of the courses in the following list:

Mathematics/Science/Engineering Electives (4 credits)

Students must select at least four credits of Elective courses to develop depth and/or breadth of theoretical and/or experiential knowledge to support their career paths and individual interests. These courses are additional to the degree’s Technical Electives and must be upper-level (3XX or 4XX) courses in mathematics, science, or engineering. For example, these upper-level elective courses might help to satisfy the requirements of a Minor degree.

Physics BSc Tracks (Optional)

Physics students may select one of three available tracks before selecting their Technical Electives and their Mathematics/Science/Engineering Electives. These tracks are provided as a guide for the selection of courses and do not appear as a separate transcript record. The following courses are approved by the Physics Department for each track.

Engineering Physics Track (17 credits)

Space Science Track (17 credits)

Physics Education Track (16 credits)

Optional Minor Degrees (Compatible with the BSc in Physics)

As an alternative to one of the optional Physics Degree Tracks, the Physics Department will also recommend qualifying students to consider the option of an official Minor degree from Khalifa University.

In particular, there are currently three Minor degrees offered by the College of Engineering, including a Minor in Artificial Intelligence (18 credits), a Minor in Nuclear Engineering (15 credits), and a Minor in Mechatronics (21 credits). Specific pre-requisites/co-requisites may be mandatory for each Minor. Consequently, students must work carefully with their advisors (for their Major and Minor degree programs) to identify and schedule these prerequisites while making their individual study plan. More options for Minor degrees are expected in the future.