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
Note: Does not count toward physics or astronomy-physics major requirements
*May not be available every fall semester
Physics 131: Atoms and Waves
Pre- or corequisite: Math 161
Physics 205: Mathematical Methods of Physics
Pre- or corequisite: Physics 232, Math 163
Physics 233/233L: Introduction to Electricity and Magnetism
Prerequisite: Physics 232
Pre- or corequisite: Math 163, Phys 205
Physics 310/410: Advanced Topics and Experiments
Note: Physics 410 is required of all senior majors. Physics 310 is by permission only.
Physics 431: Classical Mechanics
Prerequisite: Physics 334
Physics 433: Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics
Prerequisite: Physics 334
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
Prerequisite: Physics 111 Note: Does not count toward physics or astronomy-physics major requirements.
Physics 232/232L: Introduction to Mechanics
Prerequisite: Physics 131 or Chem 111, and Math 161, or permission of instructor Pre- or corequisite: Math 163
Physics 201: Mathematical Methods for Physics I (1/4 credit)
Physics 334: Introduction to Quantum Mechanics and Special Relativity
Pre- or corequisite: Physics 233, Physics 205
Physics 336: Electronics
Prerequisite: Physics 233. Physics 205 is strongly advised.
Note: Does not count toward astronomy-physics major requirements.
Physics 432: Electrodynamics
Prerequisites: Physics 205 and Physics 233
Physics 434: Quantum Mechanics
Prerequisite: Physics 334
Offered in the Fall Semester of Even-numbered Years(e.g., Fall 2018)
Astronomy 210: Intermediate Astronomy and Astrophysics
Prerequisite: Physics 233
Astronomy 313: Planetary Science
Prerequisites: Physics 232, or both Math 161 and any two geology courses, or permission
Physics 451: Computational Mechanics
Prerequisite: Physics 334
Offered in the Spring Semester of Odd-numbered Years(e.g., Spring 2019)
Astronomy 416: Galactic and Extragalactic Astronomy
Prerequisite: Physics 233
Physics 350: Biophysics
Prerequisites: Math 161 and either Biology 212 or any physics course
Physics 456: Relativity and Cosmology (not offered in spring 2015)
Prerequisite: Physics 334
Offered in the Fall Semester of Odd-numbered Years(e.g., Fall 2017)
Astronomy 312/312L: Astronomical Techniques
Prerequisite: Physics 232 or Math 163 or an astronomy course or permission
Note: Does not count toward physics major requirements.
Physics 453: Solid State Physics
Prerequisite: Physics 334
Offered in the Spring Semester of Even-numbered Years(e.g., Spring 2018)
Astronomy 414: Astrophysics
Prerequisite: Physics 334
Physics 304/304L: Physical Optics
Prerequisites: Physics 205 and Physics 233
Physics 448: Real-time Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos
Prerequisite: 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.