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Major Requirements
Required Courses
- PHYS 125Â -Â How Physics Sees the World (taken first term of first-year)
- PHYS 201Â -Â Mathematical Methods for Physics
- PHYS 205Â -Â Mathematical Methods of Physics (usually taken concurrently with PHYS 233Â in the fall of the sophomore year)
- PHYS 232Â -Â Introduction to Mechanics
- PHYS 233Â -Â Intro Electricity & Magnetism (usually taken concurrently with PHYS 205)
- PHYS 334Â -Â Introduction to Quantum Mechanics and Special Relativity (usually taken concurrently with PHYS 336Â in spring term of sophomore year)
- PHYS 336Â -Â Electronics (usually taken concurrently with PHYS 334Â in spring term of sophomore year)
- PHYS 410Â -Â Advanced Topics and Experiments (taken in the fall term of senior year)
- Three additional upper-level courses (300 or 400 level, excluding PHYS 334, PHYS 336, PHYS 392,ÌýPHYS 492,ÌýASTR 312, ASTR 392, and ASTR 492)
These courses must be taken as soon as possible:
Minimum Grade and GPA requirement
To be eligible to graduate with a major in any of the programs of this department, a student is expected to achieve a grade of C– or better in each of the courses offered in the department that are required for the major. There are no exceptions to this policy. Additionally, a student's cumulative GPA for all courses counted toward the major must be at least 2.00.
Honors and High Honors
To qualify for graduation with honors, physics and astronomy-physics students must be invited by the department chair, in consultation with department faculty, to do an honors thesis. Normally, this invitation is extended only after exceptional performance in the capstone course PHYS 410.Ìý
The following are also required:
The completion (with a grade of C- or better) of at least two additional 300- or 400-level physics or astronomy courses beyond the minimum needed for the major.Ìý
PHYS 334,ÌýPHYS 336,ÌýPHYS 392,ÌýPHYS 492,ÌýASTR 312,ÌýASTR 392, and ASTR 492 do not count towards this requirement. With the permission of the chair, a 300- or 400-level course in another NASC department may substitute for one of these courses.
A cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 in all 300- and 400-level classes taken to satisfy the upper-level course requirements for the major and for honors.
The completion, defense, and public presentation of an honors thesis.ÌýThis thesis, to be evaluated by department faculty and an external reviewer, is normally a significant extension of the work completed in PHYS 410. A presentation is strongly encouraged.
 Students normally enroll in PHYS 492Ìý´Ç°ùÌýASTR 492 during the spring semester of their senior year to complete the work.
The department faculty will subsequently determine whether to award honors or high honors.ÌýNeither is guaranteed. High honors will be given only for truly extraordinary work.
Physics and Astronomy department
For more information about the department, including Faculty,Ìýtransfer credit, awards, etc.,Ìýplease visit the Physics and Astronomy departmentÌý³¦²¹³Ù²¹±ô´Ç²µÌý±è²¹²µ±ð.