Physics Track

Students majoring in Physics who complete all requirements below earn the degree of Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Physics.

Major Sequence Outline

In addition to the details below, please see the downloadable Physics Sequence Track for a plan to complete the major program and anticipated course rotations.

Major Sequence Transfer Outline

In addition to the details below, for students transferring to UMW please see the downloadable Physics Transfer Sequence Track for a plan to complete the major program and anticipated course rotations.

Major Requirements:

Required Co-requisite Courses

Course Credits Notes
Calculus I (MATH 121) – co-requisite for PHYS 105 4 Fulfills Quantitative Reasoning Gen Ed
Calculus II (MATH 122) – co-requisite for PHYS 106 4

Required Major Courses (32 credits) – complete all of the requirements listed in this table:

Course Credits Notes
University Physics with Lab (PHYS 105) 4 Fulfills Natural Sciences Gen Ed, Writing Intensive
University Physics II with Lab (PHYS 106) 4 Fulfills Natural Sciences Gen Ed, Writing Intensive
Modern Physics (PHYS 211) 3
Methods of Mathematical Physics (PHYS 317) 3
Classical Mechanics I with Lab (PHYS 320) 4
Electricity and Magnetism I with Lab (PHYS 330) 4
Advanced Physics Laboratory (PHYS 384) 4 Writing Intensive
Quantum Mechanics I with Lab (PHYS 410) 4
Physics Seminar (PHYS 482) 2 Speaking Intensive

Major Elective Courses (9 credits) – complete at least nine credits from the courses listed below:

Course Credits
Thermodynamics & Statistical Mechanics (PHYS 201) 3
Nuclear Physics (PHYS 210) 3
Electronics with Lab (PHYS 283) 4
Optics with Lab (PHYS 292) 4
Selected Topics in Physics (PHYS 471) 1-3
Astrophysics (PHYS 319) 4