Physics
Requirements
The typical physics major takes Physics 100 in the first year and Physics 200 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, Molecular Biophysics, Elementary Particles, Scientific Computation, and Classical Field Theory, 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.
Physics
- Physics 100 - General Physics
- Physics 200 - General Physics II
- Physics 311 - Classical Mechanics I
- Physics 321 - Electrodynamics I
- Physics 322 - Electrodynamics II
- Physics 331 - Advanced Laboratory
- Physics 332 - Advanced Laboratory
- Physics 342 - Quantum Mechanics I
- Physics 470 - Thesis
Math
- Physics 111 - Calculus
- Physics 112 - Introduction to Analysis
- Physics 211 - Multivariable Calculus I
- Physics 212 - Multivariable Calculus II
- One upper-division mathematics course approved by the student's adviser
Strongly Recommended
- Physics 351 - Thermal Physics
- Physics 411 - Classical Mechanics II
- Physics 442 - Quantum Mechanics II
- A Foreign Language
For the student contemplating medical school, secondary school teaching, or engineering:
- Physics 100, 200, 311, 321, 331, 332, 342, and 470.
- Mathematics 111, 112, 211, and 212.