Requirements for the B.A. Degree as of Spring 2012
Physics Courses
- "Fundamentals of Physics I", Physics 161L or its equivalent
- "Fundamentals of Physics II", Physics 162L or its equivalent
- "Optics and Modern Physics", Physics 264L
- "Thermal Physics", Physics 363
- Two courses out of the following:
- "Intermediate Mechanics", Physics 361
- "Electricity and Magnetism", Physics 362
- "Quantum Mechanics I", Physics 464
- "Nonlinear Dynamics", Physics 513
- A 300-level or higher physics-related course approved by the
Physics DUS after discussion with the DUS.
- One of the following laboratory courses:
- "Electronics", Physics 271L
- "Advanced Physics Laboratory and Seminar", Physics 417S
- "Research Independent Study, Physics 493, with a substantial
experimental component.
- One other physics elective numbered above 200.
BA students are strongly encouraged to get some physics-related
research experience, either through a research independent study
(Physics 493) or through summer research.
Mathematics Courses
- "Introductory Calculus", Math 122 or its equivalent
- "Multivariable Calculus", Math 212
- "Linear Algebra and Applications", Math 221
The math course "Elementary Differential Equations", Math 356, is
strongly recommended since it provides useful preparation for most
upper-level physics courses.
Brief descriptions of these courses can be found in the
Duke
University Undergraduate Bulletin and on
this course
listing.
Knowing How to Program
All physics majors should know how to write computer programs at the
level of an introductory computer science course such as Computer
Science 6, and they should learn this skill as soon as possible,
preferably by the end of their sophomore year. Knowing how to program
greatly increases the opportunities for undergraduate research,
theoretical and experimental.