Physics Major, Foundation Classes

 For a major in physics, all students complete the following courses, regardless of which track they select:

CHEM 1171
1171L
General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry I Lab
4
CHEM 1172
1172L
General Chemistry II
and General Chemistry II Lab
4
MATH 1141Calculus I for Chemistry, Engineering, and Physics Majors4
MATH 1142Calculus II for Chemistry, Engineering, and Physics Majors4
MATH 2243Calculus III for Chemistry, Engineering, and Physics Majors4
MATH 2251Ordinary Differential Equations3
PHYS 1171
1171L
General Physics I
and General Physics I Lab
4
PHYS 1172
1172L
General Physics II
and General Physics II Lab
4
PHYS 2226Classical Mechanics3
PHYS 2285Modern Physics3
PHYS 2285LModern Experimental Methods Lab2
PHYS 3215Computational Physics3
PHYS 3241Thermal and Statistical Physics3
PHYS 3271Electricity and Magnetism3
PHYS 4998
PHYS 4999
Theoretical/Experimental Capstone
and Theoretical/Experimental Capstone
4
Physics Elective 3
Total Credits55


While not normally taken by physics majors, MATH 1171, MATH 1172, and MATH 2273 will also satisfy their corresponding MATH 1141, MATH 1142, and MATH 2243 calculus requirements.

Any Physics class at the 2000 level or higher and not otherwise required by the major may be used to satisfy the Physics Elective requirement(s).

The final plan of study depends on the Track you select.  The following introductory classes, however, are the same for all tracks.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredits
MATH 1141 Calculus I for Chemistry, Engineering, and Physics Majors 4
PHYS 1171 General Physics I 3
PHYS 1171L General Physics I Lab 1
Core Curriculum 6
Free Elective 3
 Credits17
Spring
MATH 1142 Calculus II for Chemistry, Engineering, and Physics Majors 4
PHYS 1172 General Physics II 3
PHYS 1172L General Physics II Lab 1
Core Curriculum 6
Free Elective 3
 Credits17
Second Year
Fall
MATH 2243 Calculus III for Chemistry, Engineering, and Physics Majors 4
PHYS 2285 Modern Physics 3
Core Curriculum 6
Free Elective 3
 Credits16
Spring
MATH 2251 Ordinary Differential Equations 3
PHYS 2226 Classical Mechanics 3
PHYS 2285L Modern Experimental Methods Lab 2
PHYS 3215 Computational Physics 3
Core Curriculum 3
Physics Elective 3
Core  
 Credits17
 Total Credits67