THE PHYSICS MAJOR

• What you must do to earn the bachelor's degree in physics
• Requirements for the Physics Major:
  • Minimum Physics Requirements
  • Core Physics Courses
  • Sophomore Laboratory Courses
  • Advanced Modern Physics
  • Advanced Laboratory Work
  • Research and Seminar Courses
  • Electives in Physics and Cognate Subjects
  • Courses in Calculus
  • Related Sciences
  • Progress Requirement
  • Minimum Requirement in UW Courses

WHAT YOU MUST DO TO EARN THE BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN PHYSICS

There are three different kinds of requirements to earn the Bachelor of Science Degree in Physics:

1. All-University graduation requirements- These are requirements which must be fulfilled to earn any bachelor's degree regardless of what your major may be.
   • Removal of any entrance deficiencies.
   • Satisfactory completion of a minimum of 180 approved credits, including transfer credits.
   • Achievement of a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or more for all work done in residence at the University of Washington.
   • The final year of course work (at least 45 credits) must be as a matriculated student in residence at the University of Washington.
   • For a complete list, please see the University Web site.


2. College of Arts and Sciences graduation requirements- These are requirements that must be fulfilled by students majoring in Departments of the College of Arts and Sciences. (Physics is a department in the College of Arts and Sciences.)
   • Completion of basic proficiency requirements in English, Foreign Languages, and Mathematics.
   • Completion of "areas of knowledge"requirements (distribution requirements) in "Visual, Literary, and Performing Arts" (humanities), "Individuals and Societies" (social sciences), and "The Natural World" (sciences).
   • Completion of the writing course requirement.
   • Completion of at least 50 approved credits in the major field and related cognate subjects with a grade of 2.0 or more in each such course.
   • Achievement of a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 for work done in the major subject.
   • For a complete list, please see the College of Arts & Sciences Web site.


3. Department of Physics graduation requirements- These are the requirements set by the major department. They constitute the "major". Detailed requirements are described in the following sections.

Graduation requirements are subject to change. Check, from time to time, with Margot Nims (margot@phys.washington.edu / 206-543-2772 / C139A, PAT) to obtain up-to-date information on requirements.

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REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PHYSICS MAJOR: MINIMUM PHYSICS REQUIREMENTS

The minimum requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Physics are described below. In summary, they are:

• Core Courses:
  Physics 121, 122, 123, 224, 225, 227,228, 321, 322, and 334.



• Adv. Mod. Physics:
  One of 315, 324, 421, 422, or 423.



• Adv. Labs:
  Two of 331, 335, 431, 432, 433, or 434.



• Research:
  Three credits of 485, 486, 487,491, 492, 493, 494, 495, and/or 496.



• Calculus:
  Mathematics 124, 125, 126, (127, 128, 129) 308, and 324. Alternatively, Mathematics 134, 135, 136, and 324.



• Physics Electives:
  Two upper division courses in Physics or cognate subjects from the approved list.



• Related Sciences:
  Nine credits in approved courses in related sciences excluding Physics or Mathematics.

These fall far short of what is desirable. Almost all physics majors will find that they need to complete considerably more than a minimum program to achieve their personal goals. Suggestions for electives beyond this minimum are given in later sections.

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REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PHYSICS MAJOR: CORE PHYSICS COURSES

All physics majors are required to complete 48 credits in basic physics courses with grades of 2.0 or better. This requirement forms a "core" which includes an introduction to all the principal areas of physics. It provides an essential foundation for later work in all areas of physics as well as in other sciences and technologies. The required core courses are:

• Physics 121 Mechanics (5)
• Physics 122 Electromagnetism and Oscillatory Motion (5)
• Physics 123 Waves (5)
• Physics 224 Thermal Physics (3)
• Physics 225 Modern Physics (3)

These five courses are the basic physics sequence for students majoring in physical sciences and engineering, and for many biological science majors. They treat all the principal fields of physics at a relatively sophisticated level. They use the student's concurrently developing skills in differential and integral calculus.

An "honors'' section of Physics 121 is available in Autumn Quarter with "honors'' sections of 122 and 123 following in Winter and Spring Quarters. Physics majors are encouraged to enroll in this section. It provides a deeper, enriched background in physics for those with a deeper interest in the subject.

• Physics 227, 228 Elementary Mathematical Physics (3, 3)

These courses introduce a variety of important applications of mathematics to physics. They are a very important preparation for later courses such as Physics 321 and Physics 324. They are a part of the second year physics program. It is very difficult to graduate in four years if they are postponed.

• Physics 321, 322 Electromagnetism (4, 4)

Intermediate work in the theory of the electromagnetic field. These are the first physics courses to make full use of the student's now sophisticated background in mathematics. In addition to the study of electricity, magnetism and relativity, they introduce the student to advanced mathematical techniques in physics. The field theory treated here is the model for most other physical theories.

• Physics 334 Electric Circuits Laboratory (3)

This course provides a solid background in the analog and digital electronics used throughout physics. (Though it carries a 300-numbers, it is intended to accompany the 200-level physics courses and to be completed in the sophomore year. Postponing it a year may cause severe scheduling problems, and often leads to a diminished program.) This course is usually offered in Summer Quarter as well as during the academic year.

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REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PHYSICS MAJOR: SOPHOMORE LABORATORY COURSES

There are two sophomore laboratory which provide experience with laboratory and computational techniques. They are not required, but provide an excellent background for future work in any field.

• Physics 231 Introductory Experimental Physics (3)

This course provides and introduction to data acquisition and analysis using experiments which measure fundamental constants or properties of nature (Planck's constant, Boltzmann's constant, speed of light, charge of electron).

• Physics 232 Introduction to Computational Physics (3)

This course provides and introduction to computational methods used in physics introduced in a lecture/laboratory setting. Physics problems used throughout the course include moments of inertia, finite-basis variational calculations in quantum mechanics, signal processing, phase transitions.

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REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PHYSICS MAJOR: ADVANCED MODERN PHYSICS

All physics majors are required to complete at least one 300- or 400-level lecture course in modern physics with a grade of 2.0 or better. This requirement is to ensure that all majors have at least minimum contact at a professional level with those areas of physics which are of greatest current interest. Possible choices include:

• Physics 324 Quantum Mechanics(4)
• Physics 315 Applied Modern Physics (3)

The following courses have prerequisites Physics 323 and 325 (or permission).

• Physics 421 Atomic and Molecular Physics (3)
• Physics 422 Elementary Particle Physics (3)
• Physics 423 Solid State Physics (3)

Students who entered earlier than Autumn 1999 may satisfy the earlier requirement- see your adviser.

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REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PHYSICS MAJOR: ADVANCED LABORATORY WORK

All physics majors are required, in addition to Physics 334, to complete at least two 300- or 400-level physics laboratory courses with a grade of 2.0 or better. This requirement is to ensure that all majors have a minimum contact with professional-level experimental physics. The importance of this requirement is illustrated by the fact that most physics majors spend a large part of their careers in experimental work. Possible choices include:

• Physics 331 Optics Laboratory (3)
• Physics 335 Electrical Circuits II (3)
• Physics 431 Modern Physics Laboratory (3)(Condensed Matter physics)
• Physics 432 Modern Physics Laboratory (3)(Atomic and Molecular physics)
• Physics 433 Modern Physics Laboratory (3) (Nuclear and Particle physics)
• Physics 434 Application of Computers to Physical Measurement (3)

In unusual circumstances, and with approval prior to enrollment, Physics 401, 402, 403 Special Problems, may be accepted as fulfilling this requirement. This is most often in cases where the work includes three or more credits of independent experimental work in physics research laboratories. The student's role must be more than just that of an aide about a laboratory.

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REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PHYSICS MAJOR: RESEARCH AND SEMINAR COURSES

All physics majors are required to complete at least three credits of physics research or seminar. Possible choices include:

• Physics 401, 402, 403 Special Problems (1-30)
• Physics 485, 486, 487 Senior Honors Seminar (1, 1, 1)
• Physics 491, 492, 493 Independent Research (1-3, 1-3, 1-3)
• Physics 494, 495, 496 Seminar on Current Problems in Physics (1, 1, 1)

Any of these courses may satisfy the writing requirement provided they involve both written and oral presentation, with the work done according to the conditions specified by the College of Arts and Sciences for writing course credit. When this is done the student ordinarily should enroll for three credits, not one.

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REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PHYSICS MAJOR: ELECTIVES IN PHYSICS AND COGNATE SUBJECTS

The student must complete (with grades of 2.0 or higher) two upper division courses (at the 300-level or higher, excluding independent study or seminar courses from all departments) for a minimum total of of 5 credits in Physics or cognate subjects. (The requirement of 2.0 or better grades applies only to the core courses listed as the first four bullets under "MINIMUM PHYSICS REQUIREMENTS" plus the "Physics and Cognate Subjects" courses, not to courses elected beyond this point).

So that students may have maximum freedom to plan programs suitable to their personal goals, the electives in this requirement may be selected from the list of Approved Electives in Physics and Cognate Subjects. This list includes advanced courses in physics plus courses in other ssciences and engineering which are related very closesly to physics.

Although only two elective courses are required, most students will want to complete considerably more credits to fulfill their personal goals. Physics graduates, in fact, have completed an average of 18 more credits in physics plus 41 credits in other sciences and in engineering.

The exact choice of electives always will depend on personal interests and career plans. Physics advisers can be of assistance in many cases, but every student will need to devote substantial personal effort to working out a satisfactory plan.

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REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PHYSICS MAJOR: COURSES IN CALCULUS

All physics majors are required to complete courses in integral and differential calculus to the minimum level essential for advanced work in physics. This includes work in the calculus of single and multiple variable functions, vector analysis, and differential equations.

The following mathematics courses are sufficient to fulfill this requirement:

• Math 124, 125, 126 Calculus with Analytical Geometry or Math 127, 128, 129 Calculus for Mathematical Sciences (5, 5, 5)
• Math 308 Linear Algebra with Applications (3)
• Math 324 Advanced Multivariable Calculus I (3)

(Alternative ways of fulfilling this requirement are described in the Required and Recommended Mathematics Chapter.)

Students who contemplate advanced study in physics, other sciences, or engineering are advised to take, in addition to the above:

• AMath 401, 402, 403 Introduction to Methods of Applied Mathematics(4, 4, 4) or similar courses in applied analysis such as Math 427, 428, 429 Topics in Applied Analysis (3, 3, 3)

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REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PHYSICS MAJOR: RELATED SCIENCES

In addition to the work in physics, mathematics, and cognate subjects already described, all physics majors are required to complete at least 9 credits in physical or biological sciences (excluding physics and mathematics), history of science, or individually-approved engineering courses. This requirement is to ensure that all who receive the B.S. degree in physics have at least an introduction to some other branch of science at the college level.

Courses taken to fulfill this requirement may include introductory courses in any of the approved areas (unlike courses taken to satisfy requirement 4 above). Courses from the list of Approved Electives in Physics and Cognate Subjects also may be applied to this requirement if they fall into the categories listed above. However, courses used to fulfill this requirement may not also be used to fulfill requirement 4.

Courses taken to fulfill the "related science" requirement may be used to satisfy the College of Arts and Sciences natural science distribution requirement if they appear in the appropriate list of Distribution Courses. That is, the same course may satisfy both requirements at the same time.

Engineering courses are approved for fulfilling this requirement only on an individual basis. Approved engineering courses must not have significant overlap with courses in physics or mathematics, nor may they be courses in computer programming.

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REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PHYSICS MAJOR: PROGRESS REQUIREMENT

In each academic year every undergraduate physics major who either has completed the required 200-level courses in physics or who has begun physics courses beyond the 200-level must:

1. Complete at least 15 credits of course work in fulfillment of the departmental degree requirements exclusive of credits earned by repeating courses in which acceptable credit has been earned previously,

or


2. complete satisfactorily an approved part-time program of study.

Students who do not satisfy this requirement will be dropped as physics majors unless exempted explicitly by the Physics Undergraduate Committee. Students dropped for this reason may petition this committee for readmission to the major.

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REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PHYSICS MAJOR: MINIMUM REQUIREMENT IN UW COURSES

At least 12 credits of the physics courses presented to satisfy the major requirement must be in physics courses numbered 300 or above taken at the University of Washington.

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