Brian Borovsky
August 3, 2016
The Physics Major
First-year start
Typical course sequence
Year / Fall / Interim / Spring1 / Physics 130 & Lab (Analytical Physics I)
Math 119 / 120 – Calc I / Physics 131 & Lab (Analytical Physics II)
Math 126 / 128 – Calc II
2 / Physics 232 & Lab (Analytical Physics III)
Math 220 – Linear Algebra / Physics 244 (Modern Physics)
Physics 245 (Modern Physics Lab – 0.25 cr)
Math 230 – Differential Equations
3 / Physics 374 (Classical Mechanics)
Math 226 – Multi OR Math 330 – PDEs / Physics 375 (Maxwell’s Equations)
Physics 385 (Advanced Lab – 0.25 cr)
4 / 300-level Elective (300 – 393)
Physics 386 (Advanced Lab – 0.25 cr) / Elective (121 - 398)*
* Waived for students obtaining teacher certification
Notes
1)Math courses are shown at the latest possible semester consistent with physics prerequisites, but can be taken sooner if incoming student is placed above Math 120. Most incoming students start with Math 126 / 128 or 220 while taking Physics 130.
2)Math 120 (Calc I) is an unusually low placement for students considering the physics major and is a warning sign. Advisors should discuss the option of a sophomore start, either with the student or with a physics faculty member. The decision will depend on the level of the student’s motivation and the quality of his/her study skills.
3)Electives are offered fall, interim, and spring
4)Electives especially suited for engineering and applied sciences are
- Physics 246 (Electronics)
- Physics 360 (Engineering Design Practicum)
- Physics 362 (Materials Engineering and Nanoscience)
- Physics 394 (Academic Internship)
- Physics 396 (Directed Undergraduate Research) – depending on topic
- Special Topics courses, Physics 390 and 392 – depending on topic
5)Study Abroad
- Interim abroad programs do not overlap with any required courses for the major, although the department is considering a new fall-interim sequence intended for first-year students with less physics and math background as an alternative to PHYS 130.
- Fall semester junior year is well suited to semester-length study abroad, since there is no lab course. However, the physics major can accommodate study abroad any semester. See ‘sophomore start’ table for guidance. The Lancaster, England and Aberdeen, Scotland programs offer physics courses that satisfy one or more requirements for the major.
Sophomore start
Typical course sequence
Year / Fall / Interim / Spring1 / Math 119 / Math 120 – Calc I
2 / Physics 130 & Lab (Analytical Physics I)
Math 126 / 128 – Calc II / Physics 131 & Lab (Analytical Physics II)
Math 220 – Linear Algebra
3 / Physics 232 & Lab (Analytical Physics III) / Physics 244 (Modern Physics)
Physics 245 (Modern Physics Lab – 0.25 cr)
Math 230 – Differential Equations
4 / Physics 374 (Classical Mechanics)
300-level Elective (300 – 393)
Physics 386 (Advanced Lab – 0.25 cr)
Math 226 – Multi OR Math 330 – PDEs / Physics 375 (Maxwell’s Equations)
Physics 385 (Advanced Lab – 0.25 cr)
Elective (121 - 398)*
* Waived for students obtaining teacher certification
Notes
1)Math courses: For a sophomore start, it is best if the student has already completed both semesters of Calculus. Taking Calc II along with Physics 130 fall semester sophomore year will also work well for most students. It is not recommended for a student to start both Calculus I and Physics 130 as a sophomore.
2)See notes from the first-year start table on previous page
Recommendations for Graduate Study
Students planning on graduate work in physics, engineering, materials science or related areas should choose appropriate electives in the major and consider additional coursework in mathematics, computer science, or other sciences, depending on the field of interest. Summer research experience is strongly recommended. Students pursuing engineering are encouraged to complete internships in their areas of interest.
To prepare for graduate study in physics, students are advised to take Quantum Mechanics (PHYS 376) and Statistical Physics (PHYS 379) and to consider additional physics electives or math courses such as complex analysis, abstract algebra, probability, statistics, numerical analysis, and real analysis.