Typical Plans of Study

What follows are some common plans of study for the physics major.

While it is ideal to start the major in the fall of your first year, you can complete the major starting in the spring of your first year or even in the fall of your second year.  Several plans are given as a guide (three plans with different starting semesters, two plans for semester abroad).

These plans are not the only ones possible because there is a lot of flexibility in when you might take certain courses (except that 201/250 needs to be taken before senior year and that the order of 300-level laboratory courses should be 320/305, 310/315, and 335). Apart from PHY 125/130 and PHY 225/230/235, the courses listed are only either taught in the fall or the spring. For example, PHY 320/305, 310/315, and 360 are always in the fall and PHY 200/240, 201/250, 335, and 350 are always in the spring.  There is at least one 400-level elective offered every semester.

We strongly recommend that you talk to Professor Mario Belloni, Physics Department Chair, as soon as possible if you are considering majoring in physics.

Starting Major Fall of First Year

Year 1 Fall Year 1 Spring Year 2 Fall Year 2 Spring

PHY 130/125

  • General Physics with Calculus I
  • General Physics with Calculus I: Studio (Integrated Laboratory and Lecture)

PHY 235/230/225

  • General Physics with Calculus II: Studio (Integrated Laboratory and Lecture)
  • General Physics with Calculus II
  • General Physics II: Studio (Integrated Laboratory and Lecture)

PHY 320/305

  • Introduction to Modern Physics

PHY 200/240

  • Computational Physics
    (= CSC 200)
     

PHY 201/250

  • Mathematical Methods for Scientists
Year 3 Fall Year 3 Spring Year 4 Fall Year 4 Spring

PHY 310/315

  • Electronics and Instrumentation

PHY 350

  • Electricity and Magnetism

PHY 360

  • Quantum Mechanics I

PHY 335

  • Advanced Laboratory

PHY 330

  • Classical Mechanics
   
  • 400 Level Elective

Starting Major Spring of First Year

Year 1 Fall Year 1 Spring Year 2 Fall  Year 2 Spring
 

PHY 130/125

  • General Physics with Calculus I
  • General Physics with Calculus I: Studio (Integrated Laboratory and Lecture)

PHY 235/230/225

  • General Physics with Calculus II: Studio (Integrated Laboratory and Lecture)
  • General Physics with Calculus II
  • General Physics II: Studio (Integrated Laboratory and Lecture)

PHY 200/240

  • Computational Physics
    (= CSC 200)
     

PHY 201/250

  • Mathematical Methods for Scientists
Year 3 Fall  Year 3 Spring Year 4 Fall  Year 4 Spring

PHY 320/305

  • Introduction to Modern Physics

PHY 350

  • Electricity and Magnetism

PHY 310/315

  • Electronics and Instrumentation

PHY 335

  • Advanced Laboratory

PHY 330

  • Classical Mechanics
 

PHY 360

  • Quantum Mechanics I
  • 400 Level Elective

Starting Major During Fall of Sophomore Year

Year 1 Fall Year 1 Spring  Year 2 Fall Year 2  Spring
   

PHY 130/125

  • General Physics with Calculus I
  • General Physics with Calculus I: Studio (Integrated Laboratory and Lecture)

PHY 235/230/225

  • General Physics with Calculus II: Studio (Integrated Laboratory and Lecture)
  • General Physics with Calculus II
  • General Physics II: Studio (Integrated Laboratory and Lecture)
     

PHY 201/250

  • Mathematical Methods for Scientists
Year 3 Fall  Year 3 Spring Year 4 Fall  Year 4 Spring

PHY 320/305

  • Introduction to Modern Physics

PHY 200/240

  • Computational Physics
    (= CSC 200)

PHY 310/315

  • Electronics and Instrumentation

PHY 335

  • Advanced Laboratory

PHY 330

  • Classical Mechanics

PHY 350

  • Electricity and Magnetism

PHY 360

  • Quantum Mechanics I
  • 400 Level Elective

Plan for Studying Abroad Fall Junior Year

Year 1 Fall Year 1  Spring Year 2 Fall  Year 2 Spring

PHY 130/125

  • General Physics with Calculus I
  • General Physics with Calculus I: Studio (Integrated Laboratory and Lecture)

PHY 235/230/225

  • General Physics with Calculus II: Studio (Integrated Laboratory and Lecture)
  • General Physics with Calculus II
  • General Physics II: Studio (Integrated Laboratory and Lecture)

PHY 320/305

  • Introduction to Modern Physics

PHY 200/240

  • Computational Physics
    (= CSC 200)
 

PHY 201/250

  • Mathematical Methods for Scientists

PHY 330

  • Classical Mechanics
 
Year 3 Fall  Year 3 Spring Year 4 Fall  Year 4 Spring
 

PHY 350

  • Electricity and Magnetism

PHY 360

  • Quantum Mechanics 

PHY 335

  • Advanced Laboratory
   

PHY 310/315

  • Electronics and Instrumentation
  • 400 Level Elective

Plan for Studying Abroad Spring Junior Year

Year 1 Fall Year 1 Spring Year 2 Fall Year 2 Spring

PHY 130/125

  • General Physics with Calculus I
  • General Physics with Calculus I: Studio (Integrated Laboratory and Lecture)

PHY 235/230/225

  • General Physics with Calculus II: Studio (Integrated Laboratory and Lecture)
  • General Physics with Calculus II
  • General Physics II: Studio (Integrated Laboratory and Lecture)

PHY 320/305

  • Introduction to Modern Physics

PHY 200/240

  • Computational Physics
    (= CSC 200)
     

PHY 201/250

  • Mathematical Methods for Scientists
Year 3 Fall  Year 3 Spring Year 4 Fall  Year 4 Spring

PHY 310/315

  • Electronics and Instrumentation
 

PHY 360

  • Quantum Mechanics I

PHY 335

  • Advanced Laboratory

PHY 330

  • Classical Mechanics
 
  • 400 Level Elective

PHY 350

  • Electricity and Magnetism