CAS: Physics

Sample Pathways

Below are two examples of sample four-year plans for CGS students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Physics the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS). Two sample pathway options are offered: the Interdisciplinary option and the Graduate option.

The Interdisciplinary option gives students the flexibility to combine physics with another focus area in an interdisciplinary program. The Graduate option provides students with a comprehensive education in classical and modern physics and is ideal for students who intend to pursue graduate study in physics or a closely related field, or those planning to enter a technical physics-related career upon graduation.

Students will work with their CGS academic advisors and the Department of Physics to plan their own pathway to a physics degree.

Interdisciplinary Option

Graduate Option

Academic Advising

CGS Requirements

Major Requirements

Interdisciplinary Option

The Interdisciplinary option provides students with a strong physics preparation, but also provides them the flexibility to pursue an interdisciplinary academic program combining physics with training in a related science or engineering program. 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.

Prerequisites (6)

CAS MA 123 and 124, or MA 127
CAS PY 251, 252, 351, 355 (or PY 211, 212, 313, 355)

Principal Courses (8)

CAS PY 405, 408, and 451.
Two additional physics courses at the 300 level or above (but not including CAS PY 313, 351, 355, 401, 402, 482, 491, or 492) are also required.
In addition, three coordinated courses from a participating science (CS, MA, BI, etc.) 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 (MA) courses, they must be different from the required courses mentioned below.
- If the participating department is in the College of Engineering (ENG), all three courses must be at the junior level or above.
- CAS 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.
- Please consider the prerequisites for the 300-level or higher courses from participating departments when mapping out a schedule.
A grade of C or higher must be attained in all principal courses.

Required Related Courses (2)

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.

Graduate Option

The Graduate 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. The Physics BA Graduate Option requires roughly 16 courses.

For more information about the major, please see the Physics Department webpage and the CAS Bulletin.

Continuation Requirements

Graduation Requirements

This is a sample pathway to be used in consultation with your CGS Academic Advisor.

It is subject to change according to course availability and individual circumstances.

Last revised: 7/10/2026

	Term 1	Term 2
First Year	CGS RH 103 CGS SS 103 CAS MA 123 Interdisciplinary course within a participating department (if prerequisite needed) or CAS Second Language (if needed)	(London or New England summer semester) CGS HU 104 CGS RH 104 CGS SS 104
Sophomore Year	CGS HU 201 CGS SS 201 CAS MA 124 CAS PY 251 or PY 211	CGS HU 202 CAS PY 252 or PY 212 CAS MA 225 Interdisciplinary course within a participating department (if prerequisite needed) or CAS Second Language (if needed)
Junior Year	CAS PY 351 (or PY 313) MA Elective 200 level or higher Interdisciplinary course within a participating department (if prerequisite needed) CAS Second Language (if needed) or Hub Elective	CAS PY 355 Interdisciplinary course within a participating department (200 level or higher) Physics Elective #1 (300 level or higher) CAS Second Language (if needed) or Hub Elective
Senior Year	CAS PY 405 CAS PY 408 Interdisciplinary course within a participating department (200 level or higher) CAS Second Language (if needed) or Hub Elective	CAS PY 451 Interdisciplinary course within a participating department (300 level or higher) Physics Elective #2 (300 level or higher) CAS Second Language (if needed) or Hub Elective

Gap Semester	Recommended external course: Calculus I (equivalent to CAS MA 123). Note: Prior approval must be granted for all external coursework.
	Term 1	Term 2
First Year	CGS RH 103 CGS SS 103 CAS MA 124 CAS PY 211	(London or New England summer semester) CGS HU 104 CGS RH 104 CGS SS 104
Summer Term	CAS PY 212
Sophomore Year	CGS HU 201 CAS MA 225 CAS PY 351 or CAS PY 313 Elective*	CGS HU 202 CGS SS 202 MA Elective (200 level or higher) CAS PY 355
Junior Year	CAS PY 405 CAS PY 408 Elective* CAS Second Language (if needed)	CAS PY 406 CAS PY 451 Elective* CAS Second Language (if needed)
Senior Year	CAS PY 581 CAS PY 452 Elective* CAS Second Language (if needed)	CAS PY 410 Physics Elective (300 level or higher) Elective* CAS Second Language (if needed)