Requirements
The typical physics major takes Physics 101 and 102 in the first year and Physics 201 and 202 as a sophomore; these courses survey the field from a broad perspective and lay the groundwork for more concentrated study in the last two years. Juniors ordinarily take Classical Mechanics (311), Quantum Mechanics (342), Electrodynamics (321 and 322), and Advanced Laboratory (331 and 332); these courses provide a thorough background for a wide range of possible thesis projects in the senior year. Optional courses include Optics, Thermal Physics, Solid State Physics, Astrophysics, Elementary Particles, Scientific Computation, and General Relativity, as well as Advanced Classical Mechanics and Advanced Quantum Mechanics. Individual or group seminar courses in more specialized topics can usually be arranged at the student’s request.
Courses required for the major
Physics
- Physics 101 - General Physics I
- Physics 102 - General Physics II
- Physics 201 - Oscillations and Waves
- Physics 202 - Modern Physics
- Physics 311 - Classical Mechanics I
- Physics 321 - Electrodynamics I
- Physics 331 - Advanced Laboratory
- Physics 332 - Advanced Laboratory
- Physics 342 - Quantum Mechanics I
- Physics 470 - Thesis
- Physics Junior Qualifying Exam
Math
- Mathematics 111 - Calculus
- Mathematics 112 - Introduction to Analysis
- Mathematics 201 - Linear Algebra
- Mathematics 202 - Vector Calculus
Recommended
Strongly recommended for all students, but especially for those contemplating graduate school:
- Physics 322 - Electrodynamics II
- Physics 351 - Thermal Physics
- Physics 367 - Computational Methods for Physics
- Physics 411 - Classical Mechanics II
- Physics 442 - Quantum Mechanics II
- One upper-division mathematics course approved by the student's adviser