Theoretical Physics and Applied Mathematics/Applied Statistics (BS/MS)
The Accelerated Bachelor's Master's program allows undergraduate students to receive their Master's Degree in a total of five years. Students apply in their junior year and must complete all requirements for the undergraduate and graduate programs. They are able to finish the program in only one additional year by double counting up to 9 credits in their senior year towards both their Undergraduate Degree and their Master's Degree.
CURRICULUM
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
BS Requirements | ||
Mathematics Course Requirements | ||
MATH 161 | Calculus I | 4 |
MATH 162 | Calculus II | 4 |
MATH 201 | Introduction to Discrete Mathematics & Number Theory | 3 |
MATH 212 | Linear Algebra | 3 |
MATH 263 | Multivariable Calculus | 4 |
MATH 264 | Ordinary Differential Equations | 3 |
MATH 313 | Abstract Algebra | 3 |
MATH 351 | Introduction to Real Analysis I | 3 |
MATH 353 | Introductory Complex Analysis | 3 |
PHYS 130 | Introduction to Computational Physics | 3 |
or MATH 215 | Object-Oriented Programming with Mathematics | |
Physics Course Requirements | ||
PHYS 121 | College Physics I with Calculus Lecture/Discussion | 3 |
PHYS 111L | College Physics Laboratory I | 1 |
PHYS 122 | College Physics II with Calculus Lecture/Discussion | 3 |
PHYS 112L | College Physics Lab II | 1 |
PHYS 126F | Freshman Projects | 1 |
PHYS 235 | Modern Physics | 3 |
PHYS 235L | Modern Physics Laboratory | 1 |
PHYS 301 | Mathematical Methods in Physics | 3 |
PHYS 314 | Theoretical Mechanics I | 3 |
PHYS 351 | Electricity and Magnetism I | 3 |
PHYS 328 | Thermal Physical & Statistical Mechanics | 3 |
PHYS 338 | Advanced Physics Laboratory | 2 |
PHYS 361 | Quantum Mechanics I | 3 |
MS Requirements | ||
STAT 401 | Introduction to Applied Statistics Using R | 1 |
STAT 403 | SAS Program & Applied Statistics | 3 |
STAT 404 | Probability & Statistics I | 3 |
STAT 405 | Probability & Statistics II | 3 |
STAT 407 | Statistical Design | 3 |
STAT 408 | Applied Regression Analysis | 3 |
STAT 495 | Statistical Consulting Capstone | 2 |
Select Four (4) Elective Courses | 12 | |
Stochastic Processes | ||
Categorical Data Analysis | ||
Applied Survival Analysis | ||
Math Modeling & Simulation | ||
Advanced Statistical Inference | ||
Topics in Biostatistics | ||
Introduction to Predictive Analytics | ||
Longitudinal Data Analysis and Mixed Modeling | ||
Applied Nonparametric Methods | ||
Topics in Statistics | ||
Independent Study Statistics | ||
Total Hours | 93 |
Suggested Sequence of Courses
The below sequence of courses is meant to be used as a suggested path for completing coursework. An individual student’s completion of requirements depends on course offerings in a given term as well as the start term for a major or graduate study. Students should consult their advisor for assistance with course selection.
First Year | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Hours | |
PHYS 121 | College Physics I with Calculus Lecture/Discussion | 3 |
PHYS 111L | College Physics Laboratory I | 1 |
MATH 161 | Calculus I | 4 |
UCWR 110 | Writing Responsibly | 3 |
Core | 3 | |
Hours | 14 | |
Spring | ||
PHYS 122 | College Physics II with Calculus Lecture/Discussion | 3 |
PHYS 112L | College Physics Lab II | 1 |
PHYS 126F | Freshman Projects | 1 |
MATH 162 | Calculus II | 4 |
COMP 215 / MATH 215 or PHYS 130 |
Object Oriented Programming with Mathematics or Introduction to Computational Physics |
3 |
Core | 3 | |
Hours | 15 | |
Second Year | ||
Fall | ||
PHYS 235 | Modern Physics | 3 |
PHYS 235L | Modern Physics Laboratory | 1 |
MATH 263 | Multivariable Calculus | 4 |
MATH 264 | Ordinary Differential Equations | 3 |
Core | 3 | |
Hours | 14 | |
Spring | ||
MATH 201 | Introduction to Discrete Mathematics & Number Theory | 3 |
MATH 212 | Linear Algebra | 3 |
PHYS 314 | Theoretical Mechanics I | 3 |
PHYS 301 | Mathematical Methods in Physics | 3 |
Core | 3 | |
Hours | 15 | |
Third Year | ||
Fall | ||
PHYS 351 | Electricity and Magnetism I | 3 |
MATH 313 | Abstract Algebra | 3 |
MATH 351 | Introduction to Real Analysis I | 3 |
Core | 3 | |
General Elective | 3 | |
Hours | 15 | |
Spring | ||
PHYS 361 | Quantum Mechanics I | 3 |
Core | 3 | |
Core | 3 | |
Core | 3 | |
General Elective | 3 | |
Hours | 15 | |
Fourth Year | ||
Fall | ||
MATH 353 | Introductory Complex Analysis | 3 |
PHYS 328 | Thermal Physical & Statistical Mechanics | 3 |
Core | 3 | |
Core | 3 | |
Core | 3 | |
Hours | 15 | |
Spring | ||
PHYS 338 | Advanced Physics Laboratory | 2 |
Core | 3 | |
Core | 3 | |
400-level Major Course | 3 | |
400-level Major Course | 3 | |
400-level Major Course | 3 | |
Hours | 17 | |
Fifth Year | ||
Complete MS requirements in consultation with the Graduate Program Director. | 21 | |
Hours | 21 | |
Total Hours | 141 |
Guidelines for Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Programs
Terms
- Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s programs: In this type of program, students share limited credits between their undergraduate and graduate degrees to facilitate completion of both degrees.
- Shared credits: Graduate level credit hours taken during the undergraduate program and then applied towards graduate program requirements will be referred to as shared credits.
Admission Requirements
Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s programs are designed to enhance opportunities for advanced training for Loyola’s undergraduates. Admission to these programs must be competitive and will depend upon a positive review of credentials by the program’s admissions committee. Accordingly, the admission requirements for these programs may be higher than those required if the master’s degree were pursued entirely after the receipt of a bachelor’s degree. That is, programs may choose to have more stringent admissions requirements in addition to those minimal requirements below.
Requirements:
- Declared appropriate undergraduate major,
- By the time students begin taking graduate courses as an undergraduate, the student has completed approximately 90 credit hours, or the credit hours required in a program that is accredited by a specialty organization,1
- A minimum cumulative GPA for coursework at Loyola that is at or above the program-specific requirements, a minimum major GPA that is at or above the program-specific requirements, and/or appropriate designated coursework for evaluation of student readiness in their discipline.2
Students not eligible for the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program (e.g., students who have not declared the appropriate undergraduate major) may apply to the master’s program through the regular admissions process. Students enrolled in an Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program who choose not to continue to the master’s degree program upon completion of the bachelor’s degree will face no consequences.3
Ideally, a student will apply for admission (or confirm interest in proceeding towards the graduate degree in opt-out programs) as they approach 90 credit hours. Programs are encouraged to begin advising students early in their major so that they are aware of the program and, if interested, can complete their bachelor’s degree requirements in a way that facilitates completion of the program. Once admitted as an undergraduate, Program Directors should ensure that students are enrolled using the plan code associated with the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program. Using the plan code associated with the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program will ensure that students may be easily identified as they move through the program. Students will not officially matriculate into the master’s degree program and be labeled as a graduate student by the university, with accompanying changes to tuition and Financial Aid (see below), until the undergraduate degree has been awarded. Once admitted to the graduate program, students must meet the academic standing requirements of their graduate program as they complete the program curriculum.
- 1
Programs that have specialized accreditation will adhere to the admissions criteria provided by, or approved by, their specialized accreditors.
- 2
The program will identify appropriate indicators of student readiness for graduate coursework (e.g., high-level performance in 300 level courses). Recognizing differences between how majors are designed, we do not specify a blanket requirement.
- 3
If students choose not to enroll in the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program, they still must complete all of the standard requirements associated with the undergraduate degree (e.g., a capstone).
For more information on Admissions requirements, visit here.
Curriculum
Level and progression of courses. The Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s programs are designed to be competitive and attractive to our most capable students. Students admitted to Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s programs should be capable of meeting graduate level learning outcomes. Following guidance from the Higher Learning Commission, only courses taken at the 400 level or higher (including 300/400 level courses taken at the 400 level) will count toward the graduate program.1,2 Up to 50% of the total graduate level credit hours, required in the graduate program, may come from 300/400 level courses where the student is enrolled in the 400 level of the course. Further, at least 50% of the credit hours for the graduate program must come from courses that are designed for and restricted to graduate students who have been admitted to a graduate program at Loyola (e.g., enrolled in plan code that indicates the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program, typically ending with the letter “D”).3
In general, graduate level coursework should not be taken prior to admission into the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program. Exceptions may be granted for professional programs where curriculum for the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program is designed to begin earlier. On the recommendation of the program’s Graduate Director, students may take one of their graduate level courses before they are admitted to the Accelerated Bachelors/Master’s program if they have advanced abilities in their discipline and course offerings warrant such an exception.4 Undergraduate degree requirements outside of the major are in no way impacted by admission to an Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program.5
Shared credits. Undergraduate courses (i.e., courses offered at the 300 level or below) cannot be counted as shared credits nor count towards the master’s degree. Up to 50% of the total graduate level credit hours, required in the graduate program, may be counted in meeting both the undergraduate and graduate degree requirements. Of those shared credits, students in an Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program should begin their graduate program with the standard introductory course(s) for the program whenever possible. So that students may progress through the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program in a timely manner, undergraduate programs are encouraged to design their curriculum such that a student can complete some required graduate credit hours while completing the undergraduate degree. For instance, some of the graduate curriculum should also satisfy electives for the undergraduate major.
The program’s Graduate Director will designate credit hours to be shared through the advising form and master’s degree conferral review process. Shared credit hours will not be marked on the undergraduate record as having a special status in the undergraduate program. They will be included in the student’s undergraduate earned hours and GPA. Graduate credit hours taken during the undergraduate program will not be included in the graduate GPA calculation.
- 1
If students wish to transfer credits from another university to Loyola University Chicago, the program’s Graduate director will review the relevant syllabus(es) to determine whether it meets the criteria for a 400 level course or higher.
- 2
Programs with specialized accreditation requirements that allow programs to offer graduate curriculum to undergraduate students will conform to those specialized accreditation requirements.
- 3
In rare cases, the Graduate Director may authorize enrollment in a 400-level course for a highly qualified and highly motivated undergraduate, ensuring that the undergraduate's exceptional participation in the graduate class will not diminish in any way the experience of the graduate students regularly enrolled.
- 4
For example, if a particular course is only offered once every 2-3 years, and a student has demonstrated the necessary ability to be successful, the Graduate Director may allow a student to take a graduate level course to be shared prior to the student being formally admitted to the graduate program. See, also, footnote 3.
- 5
Students should not, for example, attempt to negotiate themselves out of a writing intensive requirement on the basis of admission to a graduate program.
Graduation
Degrees are awarded sequentially. All details of undergraduate commencement are handled in the ordinary way as for all students in the School/College/Institute. Once in the graduate program, students abide by the graduation deadlines set forth by the graduate program. Students in these programs must be continuously enrolled from undergraduate to graduate degree program unless given explicit permission by their program for a gap year or approved leave of absence.
Learning Outcomes
Loyola University Chicago’s major in Theoretical Physics / Applied Mathematics is an interdisciplinary program that provides extensive training in both physics and mathematics. It prepares students for graduate study in physics, mathematics, or applied mathematics; careers in fields such as engineering or computer science that value quantitative reasoning and mathematical modeling; or technical training in professions like medicine, dentistry, or law.
Students majoring in Theoretical Physics / Applied Mathematics possess a versatile set of skills that are well-suited to data science, numerical modeling, and quantitative analysis. They may pursue careers in higher education, at research institutes or government labs, or in high-tech industries. Recent majors have gone on to world class graduate programs in fields ranging from physics to neuroscience, and programming jobs at major tech companies.
The course of study for the Theoretical Physics / Applied Mathematics major covers the core classes in the Physics major, provides laboratory experience, and adds a comprehensive mathematics component. Upon completion of this program and the Master of Science program, students will:
- Exhibit foundational knowledge in both physics and mathematics. [BS]
- Be able to develop and interpret mathematical models that provide both quantitative and qualitative understanding of physical systems. [BS]
- Possess intermediate level laboratory skills that will serve as a foundation for more advanced training in graduate or professional school. [BS]
- Recognize how careful data collection and analysis helps develop or falsify scientific theories. [BS]
- Demonstrate effective and ethical decision-making abilities in issues related to the sciences. [BS]
- Mastered the art and science of choosing and/or developing the appropriate statistical model(s) for a given dataset-situation, and have mastered the skill of interpreting the chosen model. [MS]
- Have received sufficient exposure to basic theorems and proofs used in introductory probability and statistical inference. [MS]
- Have worked with data from application fields such as public/global health, medical, industrial and environmental research. [MS]
- Have received training to ethically apply statistical training in the real world. [MS]
- Have obtained hands-on experience and assimilated course material via our 2cr Statistical Consulting capstone/practicum class. [MS]
- Have sufficiently mastered the course and practicum material to either obtain gainful employment in the field of attend a Ph.D. program [MS]