BS 3331 鈥� Physics Major 鈥� Sample Curriculum
- Sequence 1 (for students starting with Calculus 1 or higher Math classes (MATH PL 3)
- Sequence 2 (for students starting in Pre-calculus (MATH PL2) but with High school calculus)
- Sequence 3 (for students starting in Pre-calculus (MATH PL2) without any High School calculus)
- Sequence 4 (for students starting in College Algebra or with MATH PL1)
- Abbreviation codes
Sequence 1 (for students starting Calculus I)
Freshman Year Fall Hours
PHYS 1901 Physics Seminar 1
MATH 2301 Calculus 1 (ANCW) 4
UC 1900 Learning Community 1
COMS 1030 Speaking (BSL, BER, BDP) 3
Gen Ed class (FIE, ACNW, A&S-SS) 3
ENG 1510 Writing & Rhetoric (FWC) 3
Total 15
Freshman Year Spring Hours
PHYS 2054/2055 General Physics 1 (PNS) 4
MATH 2302 Calculus 2 (FQR) 4
Computer programming 4
Gen Ed class (PHTC, A&S-H) 3
Total 15
Sophomore Year Fall Hours
PHYS 2056/2057 General Physics 2 (ANW) 4
MATH 3300 Calculus 3 4
MATH 3200 Applied Linear Algebra 3
Foreign Language semester 1 4
Total 15
Sophomore Year Spring Hours
PHYS 2053 Contemporary Physics 3
PHYS 2701 Electronics Lab 2
MATH 3400 Elementary Differential Equations 3
Foreign Language semester 2 4
Extra-departmental Science requirement 3
Total 15
Junior Year Fall Hours
PHYS 3001 Classical Mechanics 4
PHYS 3701 Intermediate Lab 1 2
MATH 3600 Applied Numerical Methods 3
Advanced Writing (FAW, A&S-H) 3
Gen Ed class (PHA, A&S-H) 3
Total 15
Junior Year Spring Hours
PHYS 3011 Thermal Physics 3
PHYS 3702 Intermediate Lab 2 2
MATH 4410 PDEs & Fourier Analysis 3
Gen Ed class (PSBS, A&S-SS) 3
Elective(s) 4
Total 15
Senior Year Fall Hours
PHYS 4031 Electricity & Magnetism 1 3
PHYS 4021 Quantum Mechanics 3
Gen Ed class (A&S-SS) 3
Extra-departmental Science requirement 3
Elective 3
Total 15
Senior Year Spring Hours
PHYS 4032 Electricity & Magnetism 2 3
Capstone 3
Gen Ed elective (BLD) 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
Total 15
University General Education requirements (see list of abbreviations below) and Arts &Sciences distribution requirements can be taken in any order. Many classes (but not all) can 鈥渄ouble dip鈥� and complete several requirements with one class. The schedule above takes advantage of some of these.
Completion of a math minor is automatic (students only need to apply). By taking a few more Math courses it is possible to get a second major in Applied Math without much difficulty. Computer Science minors are also common.
Sequence 2 (for students starting in Pre-calculus but with some non-AP High School calculus 鈥� if you know what the derivative of x2 is, then this is probably you)
Freshman Year Fall Hours
PHYS 1901 Physics Seminar 1
MATH 1300 Pre-calculus (FQR) 4
UC 1900 Learning Community 1
COMS 1030 Speaking (BSL, BER, BDP) 3
Gen Ed class (FIE, ACNW, A&S-SS) 3
ENG 1510 Writing & Rhetoric (FWC) 3
Total 15
Freshman Year Spring Hours
PHYS 2054/2055 General Physics 1 (PNS) 4
MATH 2301 Calculus 1 (ANCW) 4
Computer programming 4
Gen Ed class (PHTC, A&S-H) 3
Total 15
Sophomore Year Fall Hours
PHYS 2056/2057 General Physics 2 (ANW) 4
MATH 2302 Calculus 2 4
MATH 3200 Applied Linear Algebra 3
Foreign Language semester 1 4
Total 15
Sophomore Year Spring Hours
PHYS 2053 Contemporary Physics 3
PHYS 2701 Electronics Lab 2
MATH 3400 Elementary Differential Equations 3
Foreign Language semester 2 4
MATH 3300 Calculus 3 4
Total 16
Junior Year Fall Hours
PHYS 3001 Classical Mechanics 4
PHYS 3701 Intermediate Lab 1 2
MATH 3600 Applied Numerical Methods 3
Advanced Writing (FAW, A&S-H) 3
Gen Ed class (PHA, A&S-H) 3
Total 15
Junior Year Spring Hours
PHYS 3011 Thermal Physics 3
PHYS 3702 Intermediate Lab 2 2
MATH 4410 PDEs & Fourier Analysis 3
Gen Ed class (PSBS, A&S-SS) 3
Extra-departmental Science requirement 4
Total 15
Senior Year Fall Hours
PHYS 4031 Electricity & Magnetism 1 3
PHYS 4021 Quantum Mechanics 3
Gen Ed class (A&S-SS) 3
Extra-departmental Science requirement 3
Elective 3
Total 15
Senior Year Spring Hours
PHYS 4032 Electricity & Magnetism 2 3
Capstone 3
Gen Ed elective (BLD) 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
Total 15
University General Education requirements (see list of abbreviations below) and Arts &Sciences distribution requirements can be taken in any order. Many classes (but not all) can 鈥渄ouble dip鈥� and complete several requirements with one class. The schedule above takes advantage of some of these.
Completion of a math minor is automatic (students only need to apply). By taking a few more Math courses it is possible to get a second major in Applied Math without much difficulty. Computer Science minors are also common.
Sequence 3 (for students starting in Pre-calculus (MATH PL2) without any High School calculus)
Freshman Year Fall Hours
PHYS 1901 Physics Seminar 1
MATH 1300 Pre-calculus (FQR) 4
UC 1900 Learning Community 1
COMS 1030 Speaking (BSL, BER, BDP) 3
Gen Ed class (FIE, ACNW, A&S-SS) 3
ENG 1510 Writing & Rhetoric (FWC) 3
Total 15
Freshman Year Spring Hours
PHYS 2001 College Physics 1 (PNS)* 4
MATH 2301 Calculus 1 (ANCW) 4
Computer programming 4
Gen Ed class (PHTC, A&S-H) 3
Total 15
Sophomore Year Fall Hours
PHYS 2056/2057 General Physics 2 (ANW) 4
MATH 2302 Calculus 2 4
MATH 3200 Applied Linear Algebra 3
Foreign Language semester 1 4
Total 15
Sophomore Year Spring Hours
PHYS 2053 Contemporary Physics 3
PHYS 2701 Electronics Lab 2
MATH 3400 Elementary Differential Equations 3
Foreign Language semester 2 4
MATH 3300 Calculus 3 4
Total 16
Junior Year Fall Hours
PHYS 3001 Classical Mechanics 4
PHYS 3701 Intermediate Lab 1 2
MATH 3600 Applied Numerical Methods 3
Advanced Writing (FAW, A&S-H) 3
Gen Ed class (PHA, A&S-H) 3
Total 15
Junior Year Spring Hours
PHYS 3011 Thermal Physics 3
PHYS 3702 Intermediate Lab 2 2
MATH 4410 PDEs & Fourier Analysis 3
Gen Ed class (PSBS, A&S-SS) 3
Extra-departmental Science requirement 4
Total 15
Senior Year Fall Hours
PHYS 4031 Electricity & Magnetism 1 3
PHYS 4021 Quantum Mechanics 3
Gen Ed class (A&S-SS) 3
Extra-departmental Science requirement 3
Elective 3
Total 15
Senior Year Spring Hours
PHYS 4032 Electricity & Magnetism 2 3
Capstone 3
Gen Ed elective (BLD) 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
Total 15
* PHYS 2001 is not, strictly a requirement, for the program, but you will learn Physics equivalent to PHYS 2051. You will then proceed directly (by permission) to PHYS 2056/2057 where you will prove that you can handle physics with Calculus and the more rigorous labs.
University General Education requirements (see list of abbreviations below) and Arts &Sciences distribution requirements can be taken in any order. Many classes (but not all) can 鈥渄ouble dip鈥� and complete several requirements with one class. The schedule above takes advantage of some of these.
Completion of a math minor is automatic (students only need to apply). By taking a few more Math courses it is possible to get a second major in Applied Math without much difficulty. Computer Science minors are also common.
Sequence 4 (for students starting in College Algebra or with MATH PL1)
Freshman Year Fall Hours
PHYS 1901 Physics Seminar 1
MATH 1200 College Algebra 4
UC 1900 Learning Community 1
COMS 1030 Speaking (BSL, BER, BDP) 3
Gen Ed class (FIE, ACNW, A&S-SS) 3
ENG 1510 Writing & Rhetoric (FWC) 3
Total 15
Freshman Year Spring Hours
PHYS 2001 College Physics 1 (PNS)* 4
MATH 1300 Pre-calculus (FQR) 4
Computer programming 4
Gen Ed class (PHTC, A&S-H) 3
Total 15
Sophomore Year Fall Hours
PHYS 2002 College Physics 2 (ANW) 4
MATH 2301 Calculus 1 (ANCW) 4
Gen Ed class (PHA, A&S-H) 3
Foreign Language semester 1 4
Total 15
Sophomore Year Spring Hours
PHYS 2056/2057 General Physics 2 (ANW) 3
MATH 2302 Calculus 2 2
MATH 3200 Applied Linear Algebra 3
Foreign Language semester 2 4
MATH 3300 Calculus 3 4
Total 16
Junior Year Fall Hours
MATH 3400 Elementary Differential Equations 4
Gen Ed class (A&S-SS) 2
MATH 3600 Applied Numerical Methods 3
Advanced Writing (FAW, A&S-H) 3
Gen Ed class (PHA, A&S-H) 3
Total 15
Junior Year Spring Hours
PHYS 3011 Thermal Physics 3
PHYS 2053 Contemporary Physics 3
PHYS 2701 Electronics Lab 2
Gen Ed class (PSBS, A&S-SS) 3
Extra-departmental Science requirement 4
Total 15
Senior Year Fall Hours
PHYS 4031 Electricity & Magnetism 1 3
PHYS 4021 Quantum Mechanics 3
PHYS 3701 Intermediate Lab 1 3
PHYS 3001 Classical Mechanics 3
Gen Ed class (PHA, A&S-H) 3
Total 15
Senior Year Spring Hours
PHYS 4032 Electricity & Magnetism 2 3
Capstone 3
PHYS 3702 Intermediate Lab 2 3
MATH 4410 PDEs & Fourier Analysis 2
Gen Ed elective (BLD) 3
Total 15
* PHYS 2001 and 2002 are not, strictly a requirement, for the program, but you will learn Physics equivalent to PHYS 2054 and a solid introduction to PHYS 2056. You will then retake PHYS 2056/2057 to prove that you can handle physics with Calculus and the more rigorous labs.
University General Education requirements (see list of abbreviations below) and Arts & Sciences distribution requirements can be taken in any order. Many classes (but not all) can 鈥渄ouble dip鈥� and complete several requirements with one class. The schedule above takes advantage of some of these.
Completion of a math minor is automatic (students only need to apply). By taking a few more Math courses it is possible to get a second major in Applied Math without much difficulty. Computer Science minors are also common.
General Education abbreviation not covered by required major courses
FWC = Foundations 鈥� Written Communication (University Requirement)
FAW = Foundations 鈥� Advanced Writing (University Requirement)
FQR = Foundations 鈥� Quantitative Reasoning (University Requirement)
FIE = Foundations 鈥� Intercultural Explorations (University Requirement)
PHTC = Pillars 鈥� Humanities: Texts & Contexts (University Requirement)
PHA = Pillars 鈥� Humanities: Arts (University Requirement)
PNS = Pillars 鈥� Natural Sciences (University Requirement)
PSBS = Pillars 鈥� Social or Behavioral Sciences (University Requirement)
ACSW = Arches 鈥� Constructed World (University Requirement)
ANW = Arches 鈥� Natural World (University Requirement)
ACNW = Arches 鈥� Connected World (University Requirement)
BSL = Bridges 鈥� Speaking & Listening (University Requirement)
BER = Bridges 鈥� Ethics & Reasoning (University Requirement)
BDP = Bridges 鈥� Diversity & Practice (University Requirement)
BLD = Bridges 鈥� Learning & Doing (University Requirement)
A&S-H = Arts & Sciences Humanities distribution requirement (College Requirement for 9 hrs)
A&S-SS = Arts & Sciences Social Sciences distribution requirement (College Requirement for 9 hrs)
A&S-NS = Arts & Sciences Natural Science distribution requirements (covered by MATH courses)
Updated: June 2024