Physical Science Major

This information is part of the Colgate University catalog, 2023-24.

Adviser M.E. Parks

Students taking courses in chemistry, mathematics, and physics who do not wish to major in only one of them should consider a physical science interdisciplinary major.

Major Requirements

Students who receive Colgate credit, either through advanced placement or through transfer credit, for any courses that would normally count toward the major are allowed to apply that credit toward the major.

Students who place into a higher-level course without receiving credit for the introductory course will be required to take another course in order to bring the total number of courses taken in the major to thirteen. The alternative course need not be in the same department as the one exempted, but it must be at the 200, 300, or 400 level. CHEM 101 and CHEM 102 may be replaced by CHEM 111 without requiring an additional course.

The major consists of thirteen courses divided among the three subjects (chemistry, math, and physics) as follows:

Required Courses

Because these eight courses are pre-requisites for the additional courses below, it is recommended that students complete these by the end of the sophomore year.

Additional Courses

Students also complete five more courses, which must be approved by the major adviser:

One must be a chemistry course
One must be a physics course
Three must be at the 300 level or higher

Natural Sciences and Mathematics Division

For more information about the division, please visit the Natural Sciences and Mathematics division catalog page.