Students majoring in physics have two curricular options: Option I, which gives students the flexibility to combine physics with another focus area in an interdisciplinary program, and Option II, which is intended to prepare students for the study of physics or a closely related subject in graduate school. In consultation with their academic advisors, students should choose between Option I and II by the end of the sophomore year.

Option I

This option provides students with a strong physics preparation, but also allows them the flexibility to pursue an interdisciplinary academic program combining physics with training in a related science or engineering department or program: Astronomy, Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Chemistry, Computer Science, Earth Sciences, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Energy & Environmental Studies, Geography, Mathematics, or Mechanical Engineering. It is well suited for students planning to pursue graduate studies in a discipline other than physics or to enter a career in a related field upon graduation.

Students pursuing Option I must consult closely with their physics advisor and file a formal plan of study with the department. This plan is a contract, signed by the student, his or her physics advisor, his or her advisor from the other participating department, and the Director for Undergraduate Studies in Physics. The student’s proposal requires a statement of purpose and motivation regarding the interdisciplinary plan, and a semester-by-semester list of courses to be completed.

Prerequisites

CAS MA 123 and 124, or 127; CAS PY 251, 252, 351, 355 (or PY 211, 212, 313, 355). Both mathematics and physics should normally be started in the freshman year.

Principal Courses

CAS PY 405, 408, and 451. Two additional physics courses at the 300 level or above (but not including PY 313, 351, 352, 355, 401, 402, 482, 491, 492, or 581) are also required. In addition, three coordinated courses from a participating science or engineering department are required. If the participating department is in CAS, at least one of these courses must be at the 300 level or higher, and the other two must be at the 200 level or higher. If these are mathematics courses, they must be different from the required courses mentioned below. If the participating department is in ENG, all three courses must be at the junior level or above. PY 581 may be used to satisfy the requirement of a 300-level course from a participating department in CAS or a course from a participating department in ENG. A grade of C or higher must be attained in all principal courses.

Required Related Courses

CAS MA 225 and one other mathematics course at the 200 level or higher chosen in consultation with the student’s physics advisor. A grade of C or higher must be attained in both of these required related courses.

Recommended

CAS PY 352, 371, 406, 421, 410, 452, 482

Option II

This option provides students with a comprehensive and rigorous education in classical and modern physics. It is well suited for students intending to pursue graduate study in physics or a closely related field, or those planning to enter a technical physics-related career upon graduation.

Prerequisites

CAS MA 123 and 124, or 127 or 129; CAS PY 251, 252, 351, 355 (or PY 211, 212, 313, 355). Both mathematics and physics should normally be started in the freshman year.

Principal Courses

CAS PY 405, 406, 408, 410, 451, 452, and 581. An additional physics course is also required. This may be any physics course at the 300 level or higher with the exceptions of CAS PY 313, 351, 352, 401, 402, 482, 491, and 492. A grade of C or higher must be attained in all principal courses.

Required Related Courses

CAS MA 225 and one other mathematics course at the 200 level or higher chosen in consultation with the student’s physics advisor. A grade of C or higher must be attained in both of these required related courses.

Recommended

CAS PY 371, 401, 402, 421, 482, 543, and 551. Students planning to pursue a graduate program in physics or a closely related discipline are strongly encouraged to enhance their mathematics education with some or all of the following: CAS MA 242, 411, 412, and 561. Entering freshman physics students who have some calculus background normally complete their requirements for the major in the following sequence:

Freshman Year

• CAS PY 251, 252. (PY 211 is a permissible alternative to PY 251, and PY 212 is a permissable alternative to PY 252.)
• CAS MA 123, 124 or—with prior credit for MA 123—MA 124, 225. (Well-prepared students may substitute MA 127 or 129 for MA 123, 124 with consent of instructor.)

Four course selections remain open for CAS requirements and electives.

Sophomore Year

• CAS PY 351 (offered fall only). PY 313 is a permissible alternative.
• CAS PY 352 (optional; offered spring only)
• CAS PY 355 (offered spring only)
• CAS MA 225 or MA elective (fall)
• CAS MA elective (either semester, or during junior or senior year)

Four or five course selections remain open for CAS requirements and electives.

Junior Year

• CAS PY 405, 406
• CAS PY 408 (fall)
• CAS PY 451 (spring)
• CAS MA elective (either semester, or during sophomore or senior year)

Three or four course selections remain open for CAS requirements and electives.

Senior Year

• CAS PY 410 (spring)
• CAS PY 452 (fall)
• CAS PY 581 (fall)
• CAS PY elective (either semester)
• CAS MA elective (either semester, or during sophomore or junior year)

Four or five course selections remain open for CAS requirements and electives.

Transfer students or students deciding to become physics majors after the first semester may substitute CAS PY 211, 212, and 313, or their equivalents, for the introductory courses CAS PY 251, 252, and 351 respectively. The same option is available for students whose academic experience has not prepared them for PY 251, 252. However, it is strongly recommended that interested students join the mainstream physics program as early as possible in their undergraduate careers. In that case, substitution of PY 252 for PY 212 and PY 351 for PY 313 is encouraged.

Well-prepared students may be able to take advanced undergraduate courses earlier than the above schedules indicate. They should consult with their advisors and with the course instructors in pursuing this possibility. Students wishing a slower pace may postpone some of the 400-level classes to their senior year. Again, close consultation with a student’s physics advisor is required.

Upper-level students are strongly encouraged to become involved with a research group and gain exposure to ongoing projects. This experience provides students with an appreciation for the difference between coursework and open-ended research. It offers essential practical training for students who wish to pursue technical careers after obtaining their undergraduate degree and broadens the background of those planning graduate study in physics. Students are also encouraged to enroll in the Undergraduate Seminar course, CAS PY 482. This 2-credit seminar examines research topics of current interest in depth. The subject of the course changes from semester to semester.

Described under Philosophy.

Described under Astronomy.

Schmaltz, Skocpol Advisors

Principal Courses

CAS PY 251, 252 or PY 211, 212; and PY 351 (or 313); and two courses from CAS PY 355, 405, 406, 408, 410, 451, 452. A minimum grade of C in each course must be earned.

Schmaltz Advisor

This five-year program is intended for students who want to continue their education in physics at a graduate level, as well as for students who want to extend their knowledge of physics beyond the undergraduate level before entering the job market. Students should enroll in this program no later than the end of their sophomore year. No student will be admitted to the program later than the end of the junior year.

Before entering the program, students must achieve an overall grade point average of 3.0 and a minimum GPA of 2.7 (B–) in sciences and mathematics, as well as complete the 300-level course requirements for the BA with a major in physics. Before award of the dual degree, students must satisfy all College of Arts & Sciences degree requirements.

The total number of semester courses required for both degrees is 36. For general information please refer to BA/MA Program.

Prerequisites

CAS MA 123 and 124, or 127; CAS PY 251, 252, 351, 355

Principal Courses

CAS PY 405, 406, 408, 410, 451, 452, 501, 511, 512, 521, 541, 581, and either 543 or 551. In addition, students are required to enroll for two semesters of Directed Research (GRS PY 901, 902) in their final year, in connection with their work on a master’s thesis, or to achieve a “low pass” on the graduate comprehensive examination. In the latter case, the student must also take one additional physics course at the 500 level or above.

Required Related Courses

CAS MA 225 and one other mathematics course at the 200 level or higher chosen in consultation with the student’s physics advisor.

Recommended Courses

CAS PY 502, 543, 551, 561; CAS MA 242, 411, 412, 531, 561.

In the principal courses numbered 300–499, a minimum average grade of C must be attained. In the principal courses numbered 500 or above, the minimum passing grade is B–.

Described under Astronomy.