Physics Major Requirements (B.S.)

(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.S. in Physics degree is 126. 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:

AS.110.108Calculus I (Physical Sciences & Engineering)4
AS.110.109Calculus II (For Physical Sciences and Engineering)4
or AS.110.113 Honors Single Variable Calculus
AS.110.202Calculus III4
or AS.110.211 Honors Multivariable Calculus
AS.110.302Differential Equations and Applications4
AS.110.201Linear Algebra4
or AS.110.212 Honors Linear Algebra
Total Credits20

Physics 

The standard physics requirements for all physics majors matriculating on or after September 2024 consist of:

AS.171.105Classical Mechanics I4
AS.173.115Classical Mechanics Laboratory1
AS.171.106Electricity and Magnetism I4
AS.173.116Electricity and Magnetism Laboratory1
AS.171.201Special Relativity/Waves4
AS.171.204Classical Mechanics II4
AS.171.312Statistical Physics/Thermodynamics4
AS.172.203Contemporary Physics Seminar1
AS.171.301Electromagnetic Theory II4
AS.171.303Quantum Mechanics I4
AS.171.304Quantum Mechanics II4
or AS.171.418 Introduction to Topics in Contemporary Physics
AS.173.308Advanced Physics Laboratory3
Total Credits38

Additional Requirements

Four Additional Elective Courses
Three Courses in One Area9-11
One Additional Course3
Total Credits12-14
*

For the B.S. in Physics four (4) additional courses (at least 3 credits each) at the 200-600 level in the following departments: Physics and Astronomy (171), Biology (020), Biophysics (250), Chemistry (030), Cognitive Science (050), Earth and Planetary Sciences (270), Mathematics (110), Neuroscience (080) and/or the School of Engineering.  Focus areas in the School of Engineering allowed are Applied Mathematics & Statistics (553), Biomedical Engineering ( 580), Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering (540), Civil Engineering (560), Computer Science (601), Electrical Engineering (520), Environmental Engineering (570), Materials Science (510), and Mechanical Engineering (530). These courses must constitute a coherent and rigorous program of study approved by the Departmental Advisor and Director of Undergraduate Studies no later than the registration period for the fall semester of the senior year. At least three (3) of these courses must be taken within a single department or program in the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences or the Whiting School of Engineering (note: called "Department elective" in the Sample Program of Study). 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

A typical B.S. in Physics program might include the following sequence of courses:

*Note: Because students arrive with a wide range of mathematical preparation, each student should consult the Department of Mathematics to determine the best individual plan.

First Year
First SemesterCreditsSecond SemesterCredits
AS.171.1054AS.171.1064
AS.173.1151AS.173.1161
AS.110.1084AS.110.1094
 9 9
Second Year
First SemesterCreditsSecond SemesterCredits
AS.172.2031AS.171.2044
AS.171.2014AS.171.3124
AS.110.202 or 2114AS.110.201 or 2124
AS.110.3024 
 13 12
Third Year
First SemesterCreditsSecond SemesterCredits
AS.171.3014AS.171.304 or 4184
AS.171.3034AS.173.3083
Department elective #13-4Department elective #23-4
 11-12 10-11
Fourth Year
First SemesterCreditsSecond SemesterCredits
Department elective #33Additional major elective3
 3 3
Total Credits 70-72

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.