{"id":51433,"date":"2026-07-10T14:21:10","date_gmt":"2026-07-10T18:21:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cgs\/?page_id=51433"},"modified":"2026-07-10T15:12:29","modified_gmt":"2026-07-10T19:12:29","slug":"cas-physics","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cgs\/resources-for-current-students\/academic-advising\/academics\/cas-physics\/","title":{"rendered":"CAS: Physics"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sample Pathways<\/h3>\n

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

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

Students will work with their CGS academic advisors and the Department of Physics to plan their own pathway to a physics degree.<\/p>\n

Interdisciplinary Option<\/h2>
<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\nTerm 1<\/strong><\/td>\nTerm 2<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
First Year<\/strong><\/td>\nCGS RH 103<\/a>
\nCGS SS 103<\/a>
\nCAS MA 123<\/a>
\nInterdisciplinary course within a participating department (if prerequisite needed) or CAS Second Language (if needed)<\/td>\n		(London or New England summer semester)<\/em>
\nCGS HU 104<\/a>
\nCGS RH 104<\/a>
\nCGS SS 104<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sophomore Year<\/strong><\/td>\nCGS HU 201<\/a>
\nCGS SS 201<\/a>
\nCAS MA 124<\/a>
\nCAS PY 251<\/a> or PY 211<\/a><\/td>\n		CGS HU 202<\/a>
\nCAS PY 252<\/a> or PY 212<\/a>
\n<\/span>CAS MA 225<\/a>
\nInterdisciplinary course within a participating department (if prerequisite needed) or CAS Second Language (if needed)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Junior Year<\/strong><\/td>\nCAS PY 351<\/a> (or PY 313<\/a>)
\nMA Elective 200 level or higher
\nInterdisciplinary course within a participating department (if prerequisite needed)
\nCAS Second Language (if needed) or Hub Elective<\/td>\n		CAS PY 355<\/a>
\nInterdisciplinary course within a participating department (200 level or higher)
\nPhysics Elective #1 (300 level or higher)
\nCAS Second Language (if needed) or Hub Elective<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Senior Year<\/strong><\/td>\nCAS PY 405<\/a>
\nCAS PY 408<\/a>
\nInterdisciplinary course within a participating department (200 level or higher)
\nCAS Second Language (if needed) or Hub Elective<\/td>\n		CAS PY 451<\/a>
\nInterdisciplinary course within a participating department (300 level or higher)
\nPhysics Elective #2 (300 level or higher)
\nCAS Second Language (if needed) or Hub Elective<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Note: Choose your electives carefully to fulfill any remaining BU Hub requirements<\/a>. You will find a list of all of the courses that carry Hub units on the University\u2019s BU Hub website<\/a>. External courses are not eligible for Hub general education credit.<\/p>\n

Physics courses that carry Hub units can be found on the Physics Department webpage<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n

Graduate Option<\/h2>
<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Gap Semester<\/strong><\/td>\nRecommended external course: Calculus I (equivalent to CAS MA 123). Note:\u00a0<\/em>Prior approval must be granted for all external coursework<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\nTerm 1<\/strong><\/td>\nTerm 2<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
First Year<\/strong><\/td>\nCGS RH 103<\/a>
\nCGS SS 103<\/a>
\nCAS MA 124<\/a>
\nCAS PY 211<\/a><\/td>\n		(London or New England summer semester)<\/em>
\nCGS HU 104<\/a>
\nCGS RH 104<\/a>
\nCGS SS 104<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Summer Term<\/strong><\/td>\nCAS PY 212<\/a><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sophomore Year <\/strong><\/td>\nCGS HU 201<\/a>
\nCAS MA 225<\/a>
\nCAS PY 351<\/a> or CAS PY 313<\/a>
\nElective*<\/td>\n		CGS HU 202<\/a>
\nCGS SS 202<\/a>
\nMA Elective<\/a> (200 level or higher)
\n<\/em>CAS PY 355<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Junior Year<\/strong><\/td>\nCAS PY 405<\/a>
\nCAS PY 408<\/a>
\nElective*
\nCAS Second Language (if needed)<\/em><\/td>\n		CAS PY 406<\/a>
\nCAS PY 451<\/a>
\nElective*
\nCAS Second Language (if needed)<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Senior Year<\/strong><\/td>\nCAS PY 581<\/a>
\nCAS PY 452<\/a>
\nElective*
\nCAS Second Language (if needed)<\/em><\/td>\n		CAS PY 410<\/a>
\nPhysics Elective<\/a> (300 level or higher)
\nElective*
\nCAS Second Language (if needed)<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

*Choose your electives carefully to fulfill any remaining\u00a0BU Hub requirements<\/a>. You will find a list of all of the courses that carry Hub units on the University\u2019s\u00a0BU Hub website<\/a>.\u00a0External courses are not eligible for Hub general education credit.<\/p>\n

Physics courses that carry Hub Units can be found on the\u00a0Physics Department webpage<\/a>.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n

Academic Advising<\/h3>
<\/span><\/p>\n

Please contact Rebekah Stearns (<\/span>stearnsr@bu.edu<\/a>), Assistant Director of Academic Advising at CAS, with any questions.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n

CGS Requirements<\/h3>
<\/span><\/p>\n

Upon completion of the CGS program, students must have earned credit towards the following 10 courses:<\/p>\n