Schedule of Physics and Astronomy Courses

Some of our courses are offered every other year. To help you plan your schedule throughout your Colgate experience we've compiled a schedule of when each course in the department is offered.

Offered Every Fall Semester

Astronomy 101: Solar System Astronomy
Note: Does not count toward physics or astronomy-physics major requirements.

Physics 111/111L: Fundamental Physics
Note: Does not count toward physics or astronomy-physics major requirements.

Physics 105/105L: Mechanical Physics I
May not be offered in Fall 2013.
Note: Does not count toward physics or astronomy-physics major requirements.

Physics 131: Atoms and Waves
Pre- or co-requisite: Math 111

Physics 201-202: Mathematical Methods for Physics I and II
Pre- or co-requisite: Physics 232, Math 113

Physics 233/233L: Introduction to Electricity and Magnetism
Pre-requisite: Physics 131, Chemistry 111, or permission of instructor
Pre- or co-requisite: Math 112 or Math 113

Physics 310/410: Advanced Topics and Experiments
Note: Physics 410 is required of all senior majors. Physics 310 is by permission only.

Offered Every Spring Semester

Astronomy 102: Stars, Galaxies, and the Universe
Note: Does not count toward physics or astronomy-physics major requirements.

Physics 112/112L: Fundamental Physics
Pre-requisite: Physics 111
Note: Does not count toward physics or astronomy-physics major requirements.

Physics 232/232L: Introduction to Mechanics
Pre-requisite: Physics 232
Pre- or co-requisite: Math 112 or Math 113 (both must be completed)

Physics 203-204: Mathematical Methods for Physics III and IV
Pre-requisite: Physics 201-202

Physics 334: Introduction to Quantum Mechanics and Special Relativity
Pre- or co-requisite: Physics 233, Physics 201-204

Physics 336: Electronics
Pre-requisite: Physics 233. Physics 201-202 is strongly advised.
Note: Does not count toward astronomy-physics major requirements.

Offered in the Fall Semester of Even-Numbered Years
(e.g. Fall 2012)

Astronomy 210: Intermediate Astronomy and Astrophysics
Pre-requisite: Physics 233

Astronomy 313: Planetary Science
Pre-requisites: Physics 232 or both Math 111 and any 2 geology courses or permission

Physics 433: Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics
Pre-requisite: Physics 334

Physics 451: Computational Mechanics
Pre-requisite: Physics 334

Offered in the Spring Semester of Odd-Numbered Years
(e.g. Spring 2013)

Astronomy 416: Galactic and Extragalactic Astronomy
Pre-requisite: Physics 233

Physics 350: Biophysics
Pre-requisites: Math 111 and either Biology 212 or any physics course

Physics 434: Quantum Mechanics
Pre-requisite: Physics 334

Offered in the Fall Semester of Odd-Numbered Years
(e.g. Fall 2015)

Astronomy 312/312L: Astronomical Techniques
Pre-requisite: Physics 232 or Math 112 or an astronomy course or permission
Note: Does not count toward physics major requirements.

Physics 431: Classical Mechanics
Pre-requisite: Physics 334

Physics 453: Solid State Physics
Pre-requisite: Physics 334

Offered in the Spring Semester of Even-Numbered Years
(e.g. Spring 2014)

Astronomy 414: Astrophysics
Pre-requisite: Physics 334

Physics 304/304L: Physical Optics
Pre-requisites: Physics 201-204 and Physics 233

Physics 432: Electrodynamics
Pre-requisites: Physics 201-204 and Physics 233

Physics 458: Real-time Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos
Pre-requisite: Math 308 or Physics 431

Offered Irregularly

If you are interested in participating in one of these courses you should consult your adviser to learn more about when they will be offered next.

Astronomy 230: Astronomy and Culture
Note: Does not count toward a physics or astronomy-physics major.

Physics 456: Relativity and Cosmology
Pre-requisite: Physics 334