Paths through the Physics Major
There are many ways to complete the 12 course requirements for the Physics major. Here are some possibilities. We encourage you to discuss your own path with your advisor or any other member of the department.
Math placement 105/111
| Year | Fall | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| First | MATH 105/111 Survey class (ASTR-111, PHYS-113, etc.)* | MATH 106/111 |
| Sophomore | Mechanics 123 MATH 121 | Electromagnetism 124 MATH 211 |
| Junior | Waves 125 Modern 225 | Stat Mech 230 SNL 226 |
| Senior | Elective Elective Thesis* | Society 255 Thesis* Thesis* |
- * Optional coursework
- MATH 111 may be taken either semester
- Occasionally, MATH 111 students may be approved to take PHYS 123 concurrently.
Math placement 121
| Year | Fall | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| First | Mechanics 123 MATH 121 | Electromagnetism 124 MATH 211 |
| Sophomore | Waves 125 | Stat Mech 230 |
| Junior | Modern 225 Elective | SNL 226 Society 255 |
| Senior | Elective Thesis* | Thesis* Thesis* |
- * Optional coursework
- Waves/Modern can be flipped
Spring Start
| Spring start | Spring start (alternative) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Fall | Spring | Fall | Spring |
| First | MATH 111 Survey class (ASTR-111, PHYS-113, etc.)* | Mechanics 116 MATH 121 | MATH 111 Survey class (ASTR-111, PHYS-113, etc.)* | Mechanics 116 MATH 121 |
| Sophomore | Electromagnetism 117 MATH 211 | Stat Mech 230 Society 255 | Waves 125 MATH 211 | Electromagnetism 124 |
| Junior | Waves 125 Modern 225 | SNL 226 Elective | Modern 225 Elective | Stat Mech 230 SNL 226 |
| Senior | Elective Thesis* | Thesis* Thesis* | Elective Thesis* | Society 255 Thesis* Thesis* |
- * Optional coursework
3-Year Major with Thesis
| Year | Fall | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| First | Mechanics 123 MATH 121 | Electromagnetism 124 MATH 211 |
| Sophomore | Waves 125 Modern 225 | Stat Mech 230 SNL 226 |
| Junior | Elective Elective | Society 255 |
| Senior | Thesis | Thesis Thesis |
- Assumes placement out of MATH 111
- If you place out of 123, take Waves in fall of your first year
Late Start
| Year | Fall | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| First | ------ | ------ |
| Sophomore | MATH 111 | Mechanics 116 MATH 121 |
| Junior | Electromagnetism 117 MATH 211 | Stat Mech 230 Modern in 5C |
| Senior | Waves 125 Elective | SNL 226 Society 255 Elective |