Typical Course Sequence

This document provides detailed information about typical course sequences for Physics majors. While it is not required to follow any one of these sequences, we provide them as examples of how the courses might fit into your schedule. See also the separate descriptive overview and the official major requirements.

Entering the PhysicsProgram

It is highly advantageous (but not necessary) to begin introductory physics in the freshman year, preferably with Physics 41, 42. Physics 41, 42 is the sequence designed for freshmen considering a major in physics. It covers many of the same topics as the Technical Physics course for engineering and science majors ( Physics 61, 62) or the General Physics course for life-science majors, (Physics 53, 54), except that the material is covered in greater depth and that the chapter on special relativity replaces most of the material on optics.

Students without any advanced placement credit will need to take five courses per semester twice in order to fulfill the 34-course graduation requirement; the present arrangement of physics offerings places the least demands on students in the first semester of the sophomore year.

Students who decide to major in physics after taking Physics 61, 62 (or 53, 54) are not at a particular disadvantage, except that their schedule may be crowded in later years if these courses are not completed in the freshman year. Students who decide to major in physics but only complete Physics 52 in the fall term of their sophomore year would take Physics 143 concurrently, or in the fall term of the junior year (see below).

Computer Programming Course

A versatile physicist is conversant with computers via one of the scientific programming languages such as C++ or FORTRAN 90. Duke courses currently focus on the C++ and JAVA languages. It is recommended that students with little or no programming experience take CPS 6 (Introduction to Program Design and Analysis I), or Engineering 53L (Computational Methods in Egnineering). Students with a strong background in C++ might consider taking CPS 100E (Program Design and Analysis II).

You might also consider taking additional upper level computer science courses, such as CPS 150 (Introduction to Numerical Methods and Analysis), or Engineering 221 (Computational Linear Algebra). We have found that physics majors with additional computer skills have an advantage on the job market.

Study Abroad

There are several ways to incorporate a semester or a year of study abroad into the physics major program. The possibilities are too numerous and varied to list, but here are some guidelines:

  • Where physics courses are taught in English: Duke physics majors have obtained transfer credit for upper level physics courses taken in Great Britain, Australia, and New Zealand. In cases where the course offerings do not match the Duke curriculum well, special arrangements can be made for supplemental work under the supervision of a professor at the foreign institution. See the Director of Undergraduate Studies for details.
  • Where physics courses are not taught in English or you do not want to take physics during your semester abroad: If you feel comfortable taking physics in a foreign language, it is likely that you can find a suitable substitute for any course specifically required for the major. More typically, however, Duke students choose not to take any physics while studying in a different language. The AB program can easily accomodate a semester with no physics, and with a little planning and consultation with the Director of Undergraduate Studies, a BS program can generally be arranged. The one constraint is that PHY 143 and PHY 181 must be completed by the end of the junior year.
If you would like to incorporate a semester or year of study abroad into your physics major program, begin by visiting the Office of Study Abroad for information about affiliated universities. After collecting the relevant information about course offerings at the places that interest you, make an appointment with the Director of Undergraduate Studies to discuss your options.

Sample Schedules

Typical B.S. Program, Started in Fall of First Year

This sample schedule includes two more physics courses beyond the minimum requirements. Note that two lab courses are required. This sequence ensures that all core physics courses are completed before the Fall of the 4th year, thus preparing you to take the Physics Graduate Record Exam (GRE) if your are contemplating going on to graduate school in physics. If you are NOT contemplating graduate school, some of the courses listed in the 3rd year, such as PHY 182 or PHY 176, for example, could be moved into the 4th year without serious consequences.


Fall Spring
1st Year PHY 41L PHY 42L
MTH 31 MTH 32
UWC (Writing Course) CPS 6 or ENG 53L
xxx xxx
2nd Year PHY 143L PHY 181
MTH 103 PHY elective
xxx MTH 107
xxx xxx
3rd Year PHY 211 PHY 212
PHY 182 PHY 176
MTH 108 xxx
xxx xxx
4th Year PHY 217S PHY elective
PHY elective PHY elective
xxx xxx
xxx xxx

Typical B.S. with Astronomy Concentration Program, Started in Fall of First Year


 Fall Spring
1st Year PHY 41L PHY 42L
MTH 31 MTH 32
UWC (Writing Course) CPS 6 or ENG 53L
xxx xxx
2nd Year PHY 143L PHY 181
MTH 103 ASTR 501 or 502 at UNC
xxx MTH 107
xxx xxx
3rd Year PHY 211 PHY 212
PHY 182 PHY 176
MTH 108 xxx
xxx xxx
4th Year ASTR 519 or Independent Study PHY 255, ASTR 501 or 502
PHY elective PHY elective
xxx xxx
xxx xxx

B.S. Program, Started in Fall First Year with AP credit for MTH 31/32

For students who have placed out of the first year of Calculus.


Fall Spring
1st Year PHY 41L PHY 42L
MTH 103 MTH 107
UWC (Writing Course) CPS 6 or ENG 53L
xxx xxx
2nd Year PHY 143L PHY 181
MTH 108 PHY elective
xxx xxx
xxx xxx
3rd Year PHY 211 PHY 212
PHY 182 PHY 176
xxx xxx
xxx xxx
4th Year PHY 217S PHY elective
PHY elective PHY elective
xxx xxx
xxx xxx

B.S. Program, Started in the second semester of the First Year

This sample schedule keeps you on track with the other majors starting in the first semester. The sequence includes two physics courses beyond the minimum requirements. Note that it is possible to delay taking PHY 143L until the junior year and moving PHY 211 and 212 in the senior year.


Fall Spring
1st Year xxx PHY 61L
MTH 31 MTH 32
UWC (Writing Course) CPS 6 or ENG 53L
xxx xxx
2nd Year PHY 62L PHY 181
MTH 103 PHY elective
PHY 143L MTH 107
xxx xxx
3rd Year PHY 211 PHY 212
PHY 182 PHY 176
MTH 108 xxx
xxx xxx
4th Year PHY 217S PHY elective
PHY elective PHY elective
xxx xxx
xxx xxx

B.S. Program, Started as Sophomore

This sample schedule lists one extra course above the minimum B.S. requirements in physics. It assumes no advanced placement course credits from high school.


Fall Spring
1st Year xxx xxx
MTH 31 MTH 32
UWC (Writing Course) CPS 6 or ENG 53L
xxx xxx
2nd Year PHY 41L PHY 42L
MTH 103 PHY elective
xxx MTH 107
xxx xxx
3rd Year PHY 143L PHY 181
PHY elective PHY elective
MTH 108 xxx
xxx xxx
4th Year PHY 217S PHY 212
PHY 211 PHY 176
PHY 182 xxx
xxx xxx

Biophysics courses through program II

  • (PR) - Prerequisite
  • (R) - Required
  • (SR) - Strongly recommended

    • Phy41 (PR) or AP
    Phy42 (PR) or AP
    Phy143 (R) Optics & Modern Physics
    Phy181 (R) Intermediate Mechanics
    Phy182 (R) E&M
    Phy176 (SR) Thermal Physics
    Phy211 Quantum Mechanics I

    Math 31 (PR) or AP
    Math 32 (PR) or AP
    Math 103 (R) Intermediate Calculus
    Math 107 (R) Linear Algebra and Differential Equation
    Math 108 Ordinary and partial Differential Equation

    Chem 21 (PR) or AP
    Chem 22 (PR) or AP
    Chem 151 (R) Organic Chemistry I
    Chem 152 Organic Chemistry II

    Depending on the interest of students, they can choose of the two lines of biophysics major.

    Cellular Physiology Biophysics
    Bio 25 (PR) or AP
    Bio 117 (or 119) (R)
    And four courses from the following:
    Bio 151L, Bio 152, Bio 156L, Bio 205L, Bio 275S, Phy 214 (CL- Bio214), Independent Study

    Molecular Genetic Biophysics
    Bio 25 (PR) or AP
    Bio 118 (R)
    Chem 161 (R) Physical Chemistry
    And three courses from the following:
    Bio 119, Chem 176, Biochem 222, Phy214 (CL-Bio214), SBB 222, Independent Study

    Typical B.S. Programs for Double Majors in Physics and Electrical Engineering

    Note: The Phy 171 requirement is satisfied upon completion of ECE 27L and ECE 51L.

    Typical B.S. Programs for Double Majors in Physics and Biomedical Engineering

    Note: The Phy 171 requirement is satisfied upon completion of BME 153L and BME 154L.

    Core Courses Names

    Additional information can be found on thecourse synopsis pages.

    PHY 41L (fall) Fundamentals of Physics (Mechanics, Thermal)
    PHY 42L (spring) Fundamentals of Physics (E&M, Relativity)
    PHY 143L (fall) Optics and Modern Physics
    PHY/ECE 176 (spring) Thermal Physics
    PHY 181 (spring) Intermediate Mechanics
    PHY 182 (fall) Electricity and Magnetism
    PHY 211 (fall) Fundamentals of Quantum Mechanics
    PHY 212 (spring) Applications of Quantum Mechanics
    PHY 217S (fall) Advanced Laboratory

    Electives

    PHY 55 (spring) Introduction to Astronomy
    Not intended for physics majors or minors;
    it can count toward a major or minor
    with additional work and permission of the DUS.
    Astronomy Courses at UNC Additional Astronomy courses can be taken at UNC
    and can be counted toward major or minor. Consult the DUS
    PHY 171L (spring) Electronics
    PHY 185 (fall) Modern Optics
    PHY 193 Capstone Des Applied Science
    PHY 203 (spring) Introduction to Statistical mechanics
    PHY 205 (spring) Introduction to Nuclear and Highe Energy Physics
    PHY 213 (fall) Nonlinear Dynamics
    PHY 214 (spring) Biophysics
    PHY 222S (fall) General Relativity
    PHY 225, 226, 227 Elementary Investigations
    PHY 230 (fall) Mathematical Methods of Physics
    PHY 252 (spring) Intro to Geophysics
    PHY 255 (spring) Astrophysics
    PHY 271 (spring) Quantum Optics
    PHY 281 (fall) Classical Mechanics
    PHY 291S (fall) Physics at the Cutting Edge