Course Requirements

The following represents one of many paths students can take to complete a major in physics.

Note that students typically take four courses per semester for a total of eight each year. Check the Coe catalog to review all of your options.

First Year

• PHY-215/ -210 General Physics I & Laboratory
• PHY-225/ -220 General Physics II & Laboratory
• MTH-135 Calculus I
• MTH-145 Calculus II

Second Year

• PHY-231 Mathematical Methods for Physicists
• PHY-265 Electromagnetism
• PHY-235/ -235L Modern Physics & Laboratory

Third and Fourth Years

• Two of the following courses:
  • PHY-275 Classical Mechanics
  • PHY-315 Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics
  • PHY-335 Quantum Physics
  • PHY-425 Solid State Physics
• Four additional physics courses, all of which must be numbered 150 or above.

Comprehensive evaluation Satisfactory completion of written and oral examinations during the junior or senior year.