In the programs suggested below, the courses in brackets are optional; the others are required for the major. Keep in mind that these programs are flexible and are intended only as guidelines for planning a sequence of courses for the physics major.
PROGRAM A: The most common sequence
First Year: Fall Term
- Math 111: Intro to Calculus
First Year: Winter Term
- Math 120: Calculus II
- PHYS 143 or PHYS 144: Intro sequence
First Year: Spring Term
- MATH 210/211: Calc 3/Multivariable Calculus
- [CHEM 123: Principles]
- [CS 117: Intro.]
Sophomore Year: Fall Term
- Math 232: Linear Algebra
- PHYS 228: Atomic and Nuclear
Sophomore Year: Winter Term
- [MATH 241: Ordinary Differential Equations]
- PHYS 2312: Mechanics
Sophomore Year: Spring Term
- [MATH 341: Partial Differential Equations]
- PHYS 235: Electricity and Magnetism
Junior Year: Fall Term
- PHYS elective
Junior Year: Winter Term
- PHYS 335:Quantum Mechanics
Junior Year: Spring Term
- PHYS 342: Contemporary Experimental Physics
- PHYS/ASTR Elective
Senior Year
The senior year is open except for comps, which normally demand work equivalent to a six-credit course. For students planning on graduate work in physics, a typical senior year is as follows.
Fall Term
- PHYS elective
Winter Term
- PHYS 400: Comps
Spring Term
- PHYS/ASTR Elective
[ ] Strongly recommended elective course
PHYS/ASTR Elective courses
PHYS 234: Computer Simulations in Complex Physical Systems
PHYS 261: Medical Physics
PHYS 341: Waves
PHYS 343: Electronics
PHYS 344: Classical and Quantum Optics
[PHYS 346: Thermodynamics & Statistical Mechanics]
PHYS 347: General Relativity
PHYS 352: Advanced Electricity and Magnetism
PHYS 354: Solid State Physics
PHYS 355: Advanced Mechanics
ENTS 265: Materials Science
PROGRAM B: For a student who begins calculus late and must postpone introductory Physics until the sophomore year
First Year: Winter Term
- MATH 111: Introduction to Calculus
First Year: Spring Term
- MATH 120: Calculus II
- [CHEM 123: Principles of Chemistry]
- [CS 117: Intro. to Computer Science]
Sophomore Year: Fall Term
- MATH 210/211: Calc 3/Multivariable Calculus
- PHYS 131* or 1421/1512: Intro sequence
Sophomore Year: Winter Term
- MATH 232: Linear Algebra
- PHYS 2312: Mechanics
Sophomore Year: Spring Term
- PHYS 235: Electricity and Magnetism
- PHYS/ASTR Elective
Junior Year: Fall Term
- PHYS 228: Atomic and Nuclear
- PHYS elective
Junior Year: Winter Term
- [Math 241: Ordinary Differential Equations]
- PHYS 335:Quantum Mechanics
Junior Year: Spring Term
- [Math 341: Partial Differential Equations]
- PHYS 342: Contemporary Experimental Physics
Senior Year
- Same as Program A
* Note that 131 may be skipped upon successfully passing the departmental placement exam, with 141 strongly suggested as a replacement for 131.
1 Three-credit course offered first half of term
2 Three-credit course offered second half of term
[ ] Strongly recommended elective course
PHYS/ASTR Elective courses
PHYS 234: Computer Simulations in Complex Physical Systems
PHYS 261: Medical Physics
PHYS 341: Waves
PHYS 343: Electronics
PHYS 344: Classical and Quantum Optics
[PHYS 346: Thermodynamics & Statistical Mechanics]
PHYS 347: General Relativity
PHYS 352: Advanced Electricity and Magnetism
PHYS 354: Solid State Physics
PHYS 355: Advanced Mechanics
ENTS 265: Materials Science
PROGRAM C: For a student who does not begin calculus until the sophomore year
Same as Program A, delayed by a year. This is possible since the only requirement in the normal senior year is comps, which can be taken concurrently with PHYS 335.
PROGRAM D: For a student pursuing the 3-2 program in engineering with a Carleton major in physics
First Year: Fall Term
- MATH 111: Introduction to Calculus
First Year: Winter Term
- MATH 120: Calculus II
- PHYS 143 or 144: Intro sequence
First Year: Spring Term
- MATH 210/211: Calc 3/Multivariable Calculus
- CHEM 123: Principles of Chemistry
Sophomore Year: Fall Term
- MATH 232: Linear Algebra
- PHYS 228: Atomic and Nuclear
Sophomore Year: Winter Term
- MATH 241: Ordinary Differential Equations
- PHYS 231: Mechanics
Sophomore Year: Spring Term
- PHYS 235: Electricity and Magnetism
- CHEM 230: Equilibrium & Analysis
Junior Year: Fall Term
- PHYS/ASTR Elective
Junior Year: Winter Term
- Phys 335: Quantum Mechanics
- PHYS 400: Comps
Junior Year: Spring Term
- PHYS 342: Contemporary Experimental Physics
The non-physics courses listed are required by the engineering schools involved.