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.
