Computational Physics & Computer Science, B.S.
The Bachelor of Science in Computational Physics and Computer Science is an interdisciplinary degree program jointly administered by the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, the Department of Physics, and the Department of Computer Science at the University of Houston.
A bachelor’s degree in Computational Physics and Computer Science prepares students to model complex physical systems, analyze large datasets, and develop computational solutions to real-world problems. Designed primarily for students who plan to enter the technical workforce rather than pursue graduate study, the program bridges the gap between traditional Physics and Computer Science curricula. A Physics degree alone does not provide the depth of programming and software development skills needed in today’s tech-driven industries, while Computer Science alone lacks the physical science background required to apply computational methods to real physical phenomena.
Graduates will be well positioned for roles in industries such as energy, medical technology, aerospace, semiconductor and computer systems, and any field where simulations, data modeling, or scientific computing are integral. Students complete foundational coursework in both Physics and Computer Science, then tailor their studies through targeted electives aligned with specific career paths or industry needs. The curriculum can emphasize programming languages, computational tools, modeling physical phenomena, scientific computations, scalability, efficient resource use, and technical skills relevant to diverse sectors.
Interested students can contact Professor Lisa Koerner (lkoerner@central.uh.edu) for more information.
Students who choose to major in Computational Physics and Computer Science must complete the following requirements:
Mathematics
- MATH 2413 - Calculus I - Credit Hours: 4.0
- MATH 2414 - Calculus II - Credit Hours: 4.0
- MATH 2415 - Calculus III - Credit Hours: 4.0
- MATH 2305 - Discrete Math - Credit Hours: 3.0
- MATH 2318 - Linear Algebra - Credit Hours: 3.0
- MATH 3331 - Differential Equations - Credit Hours: 3.0
- MATH 3339 - Statistics for the Sciences - Credit Hours: 3.0
Physics
- PHYS 2325 - University Physics I (lecture) - Credit Hours: 3.0
- PHYS 2125 - University Physics I Laboratory (lab) - Credit Hours: 1.0
- PHYS 2326 - University Physics II (lecture) - Credit Hours: 3.0
- PHYS 2126 - University Physics II Laboratory (lab) - Credit Hours: 1.0
- PHYS 3309 - Intermediate Mechanics - Credit Hours: 3.0
- PHYS 3313 - Advanced Laboratory I - Credit Hours: 3.0
- PHYS 3110 - Sem-Adv Lab Analysis - Credit Hours: 1.0
- PHYS 3315 - Modern Physics - Credit Hours: 3.0
- PHYS 3316 - Quantum Mechanics - Credit Hours: 3.0
Computer Science
- COSC 1336 - Computer Science and Programming - Credit Hours: 3.0
- COSC 1437 - Introduction to Programming - Credit Hours: 4.0
- COSC 2425 - Computer Organization and Architecture - Credit Hours: 4.0
- COSC 2436 - Programming and Data Structures - Credit Hours: 4.0
- COSC 4315 - Programming Languages and Paradigms - Credit Hours: 3.0
- COSC 4351 - Fundamentals of Software Engineering - Credit Hours: 3.0
Complete 3.0 Credit Hours from the Following
- PHYS 4350 - Computational Physics Credit Hours 3.0 or
- COSC 4364 - Numerical Methods Credit Hours 3.0
Advanced Electives
Students must complete 9.0 credit hours of approved advanced physics or computer science electives with a minimum of 3.0 credit hours in physics and a minimum of 3.0 credit hours in computer science. NOTE: Courses under this requirement may have additional prerequisites that are not part of the program.
Examples of elective sequences include (but are not limited to):
- PHYS 3327 Thermal Physics, COSC 3337 Data Science I, COSC 4368 Fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence
- PHYS 3312 Modern Optics, COSC 4372 Fundamentals of Medical Imaging, PHYS 4356 Particle and Nuclear Physics
- COSC 4398 Digital Image Processing, COSC 4337 Data Science II, PHYS 4321 Electromagnetic Theory I
First Year
Fall Term
- MATH 2413 - Calculus I - Credit Hours: 4.0
- COSC 1336 - Computer Science and Programming - Credit Hours: 3.0
- ENGL 1301 - First Year Writing 1 - Credit Hours: 3.0
- Government/Political Science Core - Credit Hours: 3.0
- Social and Behavioral Sciences Core - Credit Hours: 3.0
Total 16 hrs
Spring Term
- MATH 2414 - Calculus II - Credit Hours: 4.0
- PHYS 2325 - University Physics I (lecture) - Credit Hours: 3.0
- PHYS 2125 - University Physics I Laboratory (lab) - Credit Hours: 1.0
- COSC 1437 - Introduction to Programming - Credit Hours: 4.0
- MATH 2305 - Discrete Mathematics - Credit Hours: 3.0
Total 15 hrs
Second Year
Fall Term
- MATH 2415 - Calculus III - Credit Hours: 4.0
- PHYS 2326 - University Physics II (lecture) - Credit Hours: 3.0
- PHYS 2126 - University Physics II Laboratory (lab) - Credit Hours: 1.0
- MATH 2318 - Linear Algebra - Credit Hours: 3.0
- COSC 2425 - Computer Organization and Architecture - Credit Hours: 4.0
Total 15 hrs
Spring Term
- PHYS 3315 - Modern Physics - Credit Hours: 3.0
- ENGL 1302 - First Year Writing II - Credit Hours: 3.0
- MATH 3331 - Intermediate Differential Equations - Credit Hours: 3.0
- COSC 2436 - Programming and Data Structures - Credit Hours: 4.0
- American History Core - Credit Hours: 3.0
Total 16 hrs
Third Year
Fall Term
- PHYS 3309 - Intermediate Mechanics - Credit Hours: 3.0
- PHYS 3316 - Quantum Mechanics - Credit Hours: 3.0
- COSC 4315 - Programming Languages and Paradigms - Credit Hours: 3.0
- MATH 3339 - Statistics for the Sciences - Credit Hours: 3.0
- American History Core - Credit Hours: 3.0
Total 15 hrs
Spring Term
- COSC 4351 - Fundamentals of Software Engineering - Credit Hours: 3.0
- Government/Political Science Core - Credit Hours: 3.0
- PHYS 3313 - Advanced Laboratory I - Credit Hours: 3.0
- PHYS 3110 - Sem-Adv Lab Analysis - Credit Hours: 1.0
- Free elective - Credit Hours: 3.0
Total 13 hrs
Fourth Year
Fall Term
- Free elective - Credit Hours: 3.0
- Natural Science lecture (BIOL or GEOL or CHEM) - Credit Hours: 3.0
- PHYS or COSC advanced elective - Credit Hours: 3.0
- PHYS or COSC advanced elective - Credit Hours: 3.0
- PHYS 4350 - Computational Physics OR COSC 4364 - Numerical Methods - Credit Hours: 3.0
Total 15 hrs
Spring Term
- Free elective - Credit Hours: 3.0
- Natural Science lecture (BIOL or GEOL or CHEM) - Credit Hours: 3.0
- Creative Arts Core - Credit Hours: 3.0
- Language, Philosophy and Culture Core - Credit Hours: 3.0
- PHYS or COSC advanced elective - Credit Hours: 3.0
Total 15 hrs