The BA program is appropriate for students desiring a broad academic experience. It also provides greater flexibility when planning a joint degree with another department. Students preparing for graduate school in physics or a closely related science should consider the more intensive BS program.

Concentration Requirements for BA degree in Physics

• PHY 217, 235W, 237, and one additional course chosen from among the following: PHY 218, 227, 243W and 246.
• An additional 4 credit hours in an approved 200-300 level physics and/or astronomy course.
• Eight additional credit hours (usually two 4-credit hour courses), which can be 200 or 300 level technical courses in physics and/or astronomy, mathematics or another science or engineering. Some engineering courses at the 100 level may also be acceptable, with prior approval from the undergraduate physics advisor. Because MTH 281 and/or MTH 282 or OPT 287 is required for many of the 200 level physics courses, the options are more restrictive than they seem.
• At least a 2.0 (C) average in astronomy, physics and mathematics courses must be maintained.
• All course choices must be approved by the undergraduate physics advisor.

A typical program of study for the last two years is:

Third Year
Fall	Spring
PHY 217 -- Electricity & Magnetism I	PHY 237 -- Quantum Mech. of Physical Systems 1
PHY 235W -- Classical Mechanics	Elective
MTH 281 -- Fourier Series	Elective
Elective	Elective
Fourth Year
Fall	Spring
PHY 243W -- Advanced Experimental Techniques I	PHY 218 -- Electricity & Magnetism II, or PHY 227 -- Thermo. & Stat. Mech., 2 or
Elective	MTH 282 -- Intro. Complex Variables
Elective	Elective
Elective	Elective

¹Students who have taken PHY 237 in their sophomore year should consider taking PHY 246 in either their junior or senior years.

² Students continuing to graduate school in physics or in astronomy, generally take the GRE Physics Exam during the Fall of their senior year. Before taking the GREs, it is strongly recommended that you have taken PHY 227, Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics, and that you review old copies of GRE exams available in the Physics/Optics/Astronomy Library, located on the 3rd floor of Bausch & Lomb Hall, room 374.

Note: equivalent graduate level courses may be substituted when appropriate.

Go to Undergraduate Programs page.