Courses for Physics Majors
- PHY 207 - Mathematics for the Physical Sciences [4 hours, 4 credits]
- PHY 241 - Modern Physics [4 hours, 4 credits]
- PHY 251 - Modern Physics Lab [4 hours, 2 credits]
- PHY 301 - Intermediate Electricity and Magnetism [4 hours, 4 credits]
- PHY 302 - Intermediate Mechanics [4 hours, 4 credits]
- PHY 303 - Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics [4 hours, 4 credits]
- PHY 304 - Optics [3 hours, 3 credits]
- PHY 305 - Analog Circuits [4 hours, 3 credits]
- PHY 315 - Digital Circuits and Systems [4 hours, 3 credits]
- PHY 306 - Astrophysics [3 hours, 3 credits]
- PHY 307 - Mathematical Physics [4 hours, 4 credits]
- PHY 400 - Introductory Quantum Mechanics [4 hours, 4 credits]
- PHY 489 - Honours Course (Independent study) [6 or 9 hours, 2 or 3 credits (maximum 8 credits)]
The recommended courses for a B.S degree are shown below. For a B.A. degree we suggest the courses shown in bold plus two additional physics electives. For a Minor in Physics we suggest:
- for students taking calculus: PHY 168, 169, 207, 241, 251
- for algebra students: PHY 166, 167, 241, 251 and one additional physics elective
| Fall | Spring | |
| Year 1 | ||
| MAT 172 (Precalculus) or MAT 175 | MAT 175 (Calculus I) or MAT 176 | |
|---|---|---|
| Year 2 | ||
| MAT 176 (Calculus II) or MAT 226 | MAT 226 (Calculus III) | |
| PHY 168* (Physics I) | PHY 169* (Physics II) PHY 207 (Mathematics for Physical Sciences) |
|
| Year 3 (courses offered in odd-even years: 2023-2024, 2025-2026, ...) | ||
| PHY 241 (Modern Physics) | PHY 251 (Modern Physics Lab) | |
| PHY 301 (Intermediate E+M) | PHY 400 (Quantum Mechanics) | |
| Math elective** | Math elective** | |
| Year 4 (courses offered in even-odd years: 2024-2025, 2026-2027, ...) | ||
| PHY 302 (Intermediate Mechanics) | PHY 303 (Thermo and Stat. Mech.) | |
| Physics elective (300 level or above)*** | Physics elective (300 level or above)*** | |
| PHY 489 (Independent Study) | PHY 489 (Independent Study) | |
- * PHY 168 and PHY 169 can be substituted by PHY 166 and PHY 167 with departmental permission.
- ** MAT 313 (Linear Algebra) and MAT 323 (Differential Equations) are recommended.
- *** Regularly offered options include PHY 304 (Optics), PHY 306 (Astrophysics), PHY 307 (Mathematical Physics).
Notes
- 1. The sequence of physics courses in years three and four may change depending on the particular academic year.
- 2. These are the recommended courses for physics majors. The actual degree requirements have some flexibility.
- 3. Students who wish to pursue a physics major should contact their physics adviser or chair for planning out a course schedule.
