A physics major consist of a minimum of 60 credits, in the following five categories.

1. General/Introductory physics courses. 16 credits:

PHY 101: Introduction to Astronomy
PHY 201: Physics 1: Space, Time and Motion
PHY 202: Physics 2: Electricity Magnetism and Light
PHY 203: Modern Physics: Heat, Atoms and Quanta

2. Core physics courses. 12 credits:

PHY 301: Classical Mechanics
PHY 302: Classical Electrodynamics
PHY 341: Thermodynamics
PHY 342: Quantum Mechanics

3. Elective physics courses. 8 credits of additional physics courses (not in the previous two categories). Engineering Dual-degree students may fulfill this with engineering major courses.

4. Mathematics courses. 16 credits: MAT 221, 222, 223, 224. (From calculus through ordinary differential equations)

5. Technical elective courses. 8 credits from CSC (100+), CHE (161+), MAT (230+).


Sample schedule for physics major (physics electives in italics)

Freshman Fall: PHY 101 MAT 221
Spring: PHY 201 MAT 222 CSC 131 (3)
Sophomore Fall: PHY 202 MAT 223
Spring: PHY 203 MAT 224 CHE 210 (3)
Junior Fall: PHY 342 MAT 333 (4),
Spring: PHY 341 PHY 348 (1), PHY 349 (1)
Senior Fall: PHY 301 PHY 498 (3)
Spring: PHY 302 PHY 440 (3)