This information is part of the Colgate University catalog, 2026-27.
Major Requirements
Required Courses
- PHYS 125 - How Physics Sees the World (taken first term of first-year)
- PHYS 201 - Mathematical Methods for Physics
- PHYS 205 - Mathematical Methods of Physics (usually taken concurrently with in the fall of the sophomore year)
- PHYS 232 - Introduction to Mechanics
- PHYS 233 - Intro Electricity & Magnetism (usually taken concurrently with )
- PHYS 334 - Introduction to Quantum Mechanics and Special Relativity (usually taken concurrently with in spring term of sophomore year)
- PHYS 336 - Electronics (usually taken concurrently with in spring term of sophomore year)
- PHYS 410 - Advanced Topics and Experiments (taken in the fall term of senior year)
- Three additional upper-level courses (300 or 400 level, excluding , , , , , , and )
These courses must be taken as soon as possible:
Minimum Grade and GPA requirement
To be eligible to graduate with a major in any of the programs of this department, a student is expected to achieve a grade of C– or better in each of the courses offered in the department that are required for the major. There are no exceptions to this policy. Additionally, a student's cumulative GPA for all courses counted toward the major must be at least 2.00.
Honors and High Honors
To qualify for graduation with honors, physics and astronomy-physics students must be invited by the department chair, in consultation with department faculty, to do an honors thesis. Normally, this invitation is extended only after exceptional performance in the capstone course .
The following are also required:
The completion (with a grade of C- or better) of at least two additional 300- or 400-level physics or astronomy courses beyond the minimum needed for the major.
, , , , , , and do not count towards this requirement. With the permission of the chair, a 300- or 400-level course in another NASC department may substitute for one of these courses.
A cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 in all 300- and 400-level classes taken to satisfy the upper-level course requirements for the major and for honors.
The completion, defense, and public presentation of an honors thesis. This thesis, to be evaluated by department faculty and an external reviewer, is normally a significant extension of the work completed in . A presentation is strongly encouraged.
Students normally enroll in or during the spring semester of their senior year to complete the work.
The department faculty will subsequently determine whether to award honors or high honors. Neither is guaranteed. High honors will be given only for truly extraordinary work.
Physics and Astronomy department
For more information about the department, including Faculty, transfer credit, awards, etc., please visit the catalog page.