Physics Major

Major Requirements

Required Courses

• PHYS 131 - Atoms and Waves (taken first term of first-year)
• PHYS 201 - Mathematical Methods for Physics
• PHYS 205 - Mathematical Methods of Physics (usually taken concurrently with PHYS 233 in the fall of the sophomore year)
• PHYS 232 - Introduction to Mechanics
• PHYS 233 - Introduction to Electricity and Magnetism (usually taken concurrently with PHYS 205)
• PHYS 334 - Introduction to Quantum Mechanics and Special Relativity (usually taken concurrently with PHYS 336 in spring term of sophomore year)
• PHYS 336 - Electronics (usually taken concurrently with PHYS 334 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 PHYS 334, PHYS 336, PHYS 392, PHYS 492, ASTR 312, ASTR 392, and ASTR 492)

These courses must be taken as soon as possible:

• MATH 161 - Calculus I
• MATH 163 - Calculus III

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

Students interested in pursuing honors can find the additional requirements on the Physics and Astronomy department page.

Physics and Astronomy department

For more information about the department, including Faculty, transfer credit, awards, etc., please visit the Physics and Astronomy department catalog page.