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Physics Major Requirements

For the major in Physics, there are four options available (see below). In all physics major Options, at least 15 credits of physics courses at the 300-level or higher that are applied towards the major must be completed at Rutgers­-New Brunswick. All of our majors, and prospective majors, are encouraged to meet at least every semester with the undergraduate program director This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

See below for a description of each major option, along with the requirements.

Professional Option (Bachelor of Science)

The Professional Option is a thorough introduction to the subject for all those who expect to make physics an important component of their career. It provides suitable preparation for Ph.D. study and research in physics. It may lead to careers in research, technical development, or higher education in physics or related fields.

+ - Professional Option Requirements Click to collapse

Suggested curriculum (Honors)

Required courses and suggested curricula for honors students and other well-prepared students: Many of these courses require special permission (SPN) of the undergraduate program director. Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for SPNs.

First year:

Second year:

Third year:

Fourth year:

At least three courses out of the following (including at least one in bold):

Suggested curriculum (Standard)

An alternate curriculum is available for students who did not begin with the Honors Physics sequence. Many of the advanced courses require special permission (SPN) of the undergraduate program director. Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for SPNs.

First year:

  • 01:750:123 Analytical Physics Ia
  • 01:750:124 Analytical Physics Ib
  • 01:640:151 Calculus I for the Mathematical and Physical Sciences
  • 01:640:152 Calculus II for the Mathematical and Physical Sciences

Second year:

Third year:

Fourth year:

Note: Students who took 01:750:203-204 (or 01:750:201-202) as their introductory physics sequence or have AP credit should consult a departmental adviser to plan an appropriate curriculum for the professional physics major.

 

Applied Option (Bachelor of Science)

The Applied Option is intended for students who wish to work in industry without graduate studies in physics or astrophysics. The required courses give a breadth of knowledge in technical fields rather than specialized preparation for Ph.D studies in physics or astrophysics. A well-balanced sequence of engineering and natural science electives should be chosen in consultation with an adviser in the department.

+ - Applied Option Requirements Click to collapse

Introductory physics sequence:

Sequence option 1:

Sequence option 2:

Calculus

Computing:

One of the following:

  • 01:198:107 Computing for the Maths and the Sciences 
  • 01:198:111 Introduction to Computer Science
  • 14:440:127 Introduction to Computers for Engineers

Physics:

  • One of the following:
  • One of the following:
  • One of the following:
    • 01:750:326 Introduction to Computer-based Experimentation and Physics Computing
    • 01:750:345 Computational Astrophysics 
  • One of the following:
  • One of the following:
  • 01:750:351
  • One of the following:

Senior Lab:

One of the following:

Physical science requirement

  • Seven credits consisting of courses in engineering, chemistry or another physical science chosen in consultation with a departmental adviser to form a coherent concentration in a physics-related applied area.

Natural science electives

  • Six credits in natural science electives chosen in consultation with a departmental adviser to form a coherent concentration in a physics-related applied area. With the approval of the department, three of these credits may be for a department-sponsored outside internship.

A grade-point average of at least a C in the courses applied toward the major is required for graduation in the applied option.

 

General Option (Bachelor of Arts)

The General Option is for students who have an interest in physics or astronomy but do not expect to do graduate work in physics or astronomy. It is suitable preparation for careers in education, medicine, law, industry, and business, and is particularly appropriate in an interdisciplinary course of study. A well-balanced sequence of natural science electives should be chosen in consultation with an adviser in the department.

+ - General Option Requirements Click to collapse

Introductory courses:

  • 01:750:203-204 (General Physics) or any other equivalent sequence
  • One of the following laboratory sequences:
  • Two terms of any calculus sequence.

Advanced courses:

  • Six advanced physics courses including the following:
  • Two lab courses; either:
    • 01:750:326 (Introduction to Computer-based Experimentation and Physics Computing) and 01:750:327 (Modern Instrumentation) or
    • 01:750:345 (Computational Astrophysics) and 01:750:346 (Observational Astronomy)
  • One additional 300- or 400-level physics course (except 490-level). It is recommended, but not required, that this course be chosen from the following list:

Electives:

  • 18 additional credits with grades of C or better in natural science or mathematics chosen in consultation with a departmental adviser to form a coherent sequence.

At least a C average in the physics and mathematics courses is required for admission, retention, and graduation in the general option. Four of the six advanced physics courses must be taken at Rutgers- New Brunswick.

 

Planetary Physics Option (Bachelor of Science)

The Planetary Physics Option is is for students who wish to pursue a career in physics applied to the study of Earth and other planets. Students will receive a firm foundation in physics. They will receive a broad exposure to planetary physics by taking a course in each of the three fields of concentration: geophysics, atmospheric physics and ocean physics and will take three courses in their area of concentration.

+ - Planetary Physics Option Requirements Click to collapse

Contact the undergraduate program director in physics This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. before you consider this major that requires advanced courses in both physics and earth, ocean, atmospheric or space sciences.

Introductory physics sequence:

Sequence option 1:

Sequence option 2:

Calculus

  • 01:640:CALC1
  • 01:750:CALC2
  • 01:750:CALC3
  • 01:750:CALC4

Computing:

One of the following:

  • 01:198:107 Computing for the Maths and the Sciences 
  • 01:198:111 Introduction to Computer Science
  • 14:440:127 Introduction to Computers for Engineers

Physics:

Planetary Physics:

Nine concentration credits: 

  • Nine credits in a field of concentration (geophysics, atmospheric physics or ocean physics) chosen in consultation with an advisor in the field of concentration

A grade-point average of at least a C in the courses applied toward the major is required for graduation in the planetary physics option.

 

Astrophysics Major Requirements

All of our majors, and prospective majors, are encouraged to meet at least every semester with the undergraduate program director: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

The Astrophysics Major, leading to a Bachelor of Science degree, provides a thorough introduction to the subject. It is appropriate preparation for Ph.D. studies and research. It is suitable for those with an interest in astronomy who aspire to a career in astronomy research, science education, science journalism, technical development, and other professional areas. Prospective majors should This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. in the Department of Physics and Astronomy before choosing their courses. Synopses of our courses and links to syllabi can be found at https://physics.rutgers.edu/academics/undergraduate-program/course-synopses. 

In the astrophysics major, at least 15 credits of physics or astrophysics courses at the 300-level or higher that are applied towards the major must be completed at Rutgers New Brunswick. Many of these courses require special permission (SPN) of the undergraduate program director.  Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for SPNs.

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