Recommended Four Year Plan Recommended Four Year Plan

There are a number of schedules that you can construct; keep in mind that the courses 301, 306, 302, 307, 403, 441 are offered every other year, and are currently cycled as illustrated below. This schedule is perhaps optimal.

YearFall Semester Spring Semester
1 Physics 201; College Physics IPhysics 202; College Physics 2
                                                                                               
2 Physics 205; Modern PhysicsPhysics 306; Experimental Physics
                                Physics 241;Programming Languages                                                       
3 Physics 301; MechanicsPhysics 403; Statistical Physics
Physics 307; Mathematical Methods
                                                                                               
4 Physics 303; Computational Physics Physics 441; Quantum Mechanics
Physics 302; Electromagnetism
Physics 495; Senior Seminar Physics 495; Senior Seminar
                                                                                               

During the first two years of the major, it is a good idea to take Differential Equations, Linear Algebra, and Math 223 in preparation for the upper division courses. Also pay careful attention to your minor, BOK and Diversity requirements. Start on these early, so you don't have to take them all at once later on.

Notes

Despite the lower number, 403 is quite difficult, and should not be paired up with too many other technical courses.
The courses 301 and 302 are also mathematically intensive. Both 302 and 403 should be taken after Mathematical Methods 307, or after you have taken Differential Equations, Linear Algebra, and Complex Variables. These are the most highly recommended Math courses for the Physics Major. Differential equations is highly recommended for 301.

Students are recommended to take a course in elementary computer science, such as a programming and/or computer literacy course. 303 will require that you write programs simulating or animating physical phenomena. 303 is higher level than its number indicates; students will simulate phenomena in mechanics, thermodynamics and statistical physics, and probably quantum mechanics. You want to take it early, but not too early.

Modern Physics 205 is an essential prerequisite for all of the upper division Physics courses, and is highly recommended for Engineering, Computer Science, and Chemistry majors as well. It is a very good idea to take 306 in the same year as 205 if scheduling allows it.

Students are encouraged to take 499, a special topics course of some form, under an advisor in the Physics department. Senior Seminar 495 should be taken two semesters in the final year, and provides a capstone experience in which the student prepares an oral and written report on some topic, optimally a research topic explored in a 499 course. To find out what 499 topics are available any given year, contact a member of the Physics department with whom you wish to work.

Physics majors are encouraged to take several Math courses, 223, 301 (linear alg.), 317 (Diff. eqts), 310 (Prob. and Stats) being the most highly recommended. Students intending to pursue careers in physics should take Complex Analysis and Modern Algebra as well. The Math minor is a good partner to the Physics major.

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On 20 Aug 2001, 16:53.