Physics Major Requirements (B.A.)
(See also Requirements for a Bachelor's Degree.)
The major program is structured so that nearly all students take the same classes during the first two years and must complete the same list of core upper-level courses during their second two years, but permits a variety of choices in upper-level electives. The total number of credits required for the B.A. degree is 120. By the end of the four years our students share an understanding of classical mechanics, electromagnetism, statistical physics and quantum mechanics, and have acquired physics lab skills that will support them in graduate school or in a host of other pursuits.
A grade of C- or higher is required for a course to be counted towards major requirements. This includes required math courses. An exception for a single course taken in the year before graduation may be granted by the Director of Undergraduate Studies under extenuating circumstances.
Core Courses
Mathematics
The standard mathematics requirements for all physics majors consist of:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AS.110.108 | Calculus I (Physical Sciences & Engineering) | 4 |
| AS.110.109 | Calculus II (For Physical Sciences and Engineering) | 4 |
| or AS.110.113 | Honors Single Variable Calculus | |
| AS.110.202 | Calculus III | 4 |
| or AS.110.211 | Honors Multivariable Calculus | |
| AS.110.302 | Differential Equations and Applications | 4 |
| AS.110.201 | Linear Algebra | 4 |
| or AS.110.212 | Honors Linear Algebra | |
| Total Credits | 20 | |
PHYSICS
The standard physics requirements for all physics majors consist of:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AS.171.105 | Classical Mechanics I | 4 |
| AS.173.115 | Classical Mechanics Laboratory | 1 |
| AS.171.106 | Electricity and Magnetism I | 4 |
| AS.173.116 | Electricity and Magnetism Laboratory | 1 |
| AS.171.201 | Special Relativity/Waves | 4 |
| AS.172.203 | Contemporary Physics Seminar | 1 |
| AS.171.204 | Classical Mechanics II | 4 |
| AS.171.312 | Statistical Physics/Thermodynamics | 4 |
| AS.171.301 | Electromagnetic Theory II | 4 |
| AS.171.303 | Quantum Mechanics I | 4 |
| AS.171.304 | Quantum Mechanics II | 4 |
| or AS.171.418 | Introduction to Topics in Contemporary Physics | |
| AS.173.308 | Advanced Physics Laboratory | 3 |
| Total Credits | 38 | |
B.A. Additional Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Two Additional Upper Level Physics Courses | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 6 | |
- *
For the B.A. in Physics, students must take two additional courses (at least 3 credits each) at the 200-700 level in the Department of Physics and Astronomy (AS.171.xxx) or, with DUS approval, physics-related courses in other departments. Students who intend to continue Physics in graduate school are strongly encouraged to take these electives in Physics and Astronomy, and take AS.171.304 Quantum Mechanics II.
One (1) semester of research may be used as one elective.
Note: AS.171.101 General Physics: Physical Science Major I-AS.171.102 General Physics: Physical Science Major II, AS.171.103 General Physics I for Biological Science Majors-AS.171.104 General Physics/Biology Majors II or AS.171.107 General Physics for Physical Sciences Majors (AL)-AS.171.108 General Physics for Physical Science Majors (AL) with their labs is acceptable in place of AS.171.105 Classical Mechanics I-AS.171.106 Electricity and Magnetism I, AS.173.115 Classical Mechanics Laboratory-AS.173.116 Electricity and Magnetism Laboratory.
Writing and Communication in the Major
Students must complete at least 6 credits of Writing and Communication foundational ability coursework in one major. For this major, students would be able to fulfill this requirement by completing the two first year laboratory courses AS.173.115 Classical Mechanics Laboratory (1 credit) and AS.173.116 Electricity and Magnetism Laboratory (1 credit), AS.172.203 Contemporary Physics Seminar (2 credits), and AS.173.308 Advanced Physics Laboratory (3 credits). Students who do not take AS.173.115 and/or AS.173.116 may complete this requirement by taking another course within the major that is designated as a Writing and Communication course.
Sample Program of Study
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Credits | Second Semester | Credits |
| AS.171.105 | 4 | AS.171.106 | 4 |
| AS.173.115 | 1 | AS.173.116 | 1 |
| AS.110.108 | 4 | AS.110.109 | 4 |
| 9 | 9 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| First Semester | Credits | Second Semester | Credits |
| AS.172.203 | 1 | AS.171.204 | 4 |
| AS.171.201 | 4 | AS.171.312 | 4 |
| AS.110.202 or 211 | 4 | AS.110.201 or 212 | 4 |
| AS.110.302 | 4 | ||
| 13 | 12 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| First Semester | Credits | Second Semester | Credits |
| AS.171.301 | 4 | AS.171.304 or 418 | 4 |
| AS.171.303 | 4 | AS.173.308 | 3 |
| 8 | 7 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| First Semester | Credits | Second Semester | Credits |
| Department elective #1 | 3-4 | Department elective #2 | 3-4 |
| 3-4 | 3-4 | ||
| Total Credits 64-66 | |||
Honors in the Major
Honors in Physics is granted to graduating students who achieve a GPA of 3.5 or higher in all courses taken to fulfill the major requirements.
Senior Thesis
Any student majoring in the department may write a senior thesis, based on original research conducted under the supervision of a member of the faculty. Arrangements for this research will be made on an individual basis. The department views the writing of a senior thesis as an excellent capstone experience to an undergraduate education in physics, and encourages all students to consider it.