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Physics-Astronomy Undergraduate Concentration Requirements

I. For students in the College of Liberal Arts:

Major in Physics:
Eight courses in physics more advanced than Physics 2 or 12 and including Physics 13 and 64, two courses in mathematics more advanced than Mathematics 13/18. With the exception of Physics 13, and 64, two of the physics courses and one mathematics course may be replaced by approved advanced courses in related fields. (such as Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering or Mathematics.) The ten courses required for the major must include two courses in advanced laboratory training. One of these must be Physics 64; the other may be Physics 31 or 41.

Major in Applied Physics:
Five courses in physics more advanced than Physics 2 or 12, including Physics 13 and 64; two courses in mathematics more advanced than Mathematics 13/18; three courses from the concentration requirements of one of the engineering departments. With the exception of Physics 13 and 64, one of the five physics courses may be replaced by an approved course in a related field.

Major in Chemical Physics:
Four courses in chemistry more advanced than Physics 2 or 12, including Physics 13; two courses in mathematics more advanced than Mathematics 13/18, four courses in chemistry more advanced than Chemistry 2 /12/16. The ten courses required for the major must include one course in advanced laboratory training, either Physics 64 or Chemistry 34. One mathematics course may be replaced by an approved advanced course in a related field. Faculty advisers in the chemistry and physics departments are available for consultation on the chemical physics program.

Major in Astrophysics:
Four courses in physics more advanced than Physics 2 or 12, including Physics 13 and 64; two courses in mathematics more advanced than Mathematics 13/18; four courses in astronomy more advanced than Astronomy 10. One mathematics course may be replaced by an approved advanced course in related field. Research experience is strongly recommended.

Requirements for Premedical or Predental Students: 
Students interested in entering medical, dental school or veterinary school may take advantage of the following replacement option to complete the corresponding entrance requirements as part of the physics major. With the exception of Physics 13 and 64, two of the physics courses and one mathematics course may be replaced by Chemistry 51/53, and Chemistry 52/54, and one other advanced elective. Chemistry 53 and 54 will also fulfill one term of the advanced laboratory training requirement for the physics major.


II. For students in the School of Engineering 

Bachelor of Science in Engineering Physics: 
A minimum of 38 credits is required: the Introductory (11 credits), Humanities/Arts/Social Science (5 credits), and Free Elective (2 credits) requirements of the School of Engineering, a Foundation requirement (8 credits) and a physics/engineering Concentration requirement (12 credits). The Introductory requirement includes Physics 12. The Foundation requirement comprises Physics 13, Physics 32 or Engineering Science 6, Physics 52 or Engineering Science 7, Physics 41, two courses from Engineering Science 3,4,5,8 or 9, plus two other courses satisfying the foundation requirements of the School of Engineering.

Concentration requirement: four courses in physics and astronomy at the intermediate or advanced levels, which must include Physics 64; four courses from the concentration requirements of one of the engineering departments; and four approved elective courses in computer science, engineering, mathematics or science.