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.