Special Permission Number / Pre-requisite Override

Summer 2026 requests:

Please go to this site if you are applying for a special permission number for any undergraduate course in Summer 2026.

https://secure.sas.rutgers.edu/apps/special_permission/physics/

SPN's will be accepted in two rounds. (If you didn’t get an email for a SPN, then it means the section is full.)

• Round 1 will open February 9 at 8:00 am and close on May 18 at 5:00 pm.
• Round 2 will open May 19 at 8:00 am and close July 5 at 5:00 pm.

 For Special Permission Numbers (SPN) for the Summer Online Physics courses (203/204), go to: https://egp.rutgers.edu/cgi/summerSPN.pl

If you need an SPN and pre-requisite override, please email directly to Undergraduate Program Director for the Department of Physics & Astronomy (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) with the subject as "PRE-REQ", exactly as that. In the body, please give your name, RUID (the 9 digit number), and details of your request, including the index numbers of your 3 preferred sections, if appropriate.

Fall 2026 requests:

Please go to the following link if you are applying for a special permission number for any undergraduate course. System will be open to SPNs for juniors and seniors on May 1, and to sophomores on May 30. https://secure.sas.rutgers.edu/apps/special_permission/physics/

This site distributes Special Permission Numbers (SPN) to students seeking enrollment in the Fall (2026) semester offering of Online General Physics 203, Section 90: https://egp.rutgers.edu/cgi/PhysSPN.pl

SPN's will be accepted in three rounds. (If you didn’t get an email with an SPN, then it means the section is full.)

• • Round 1 will open on May 1 at 8:00 am. It will be open only to students in the classes of 2026 and 2027 with more than 90 credits, and close on May 30 at 5 pm.
  • Round 2 will open on May 30 at 5pm and close August 8 at 5 pm. It will be open to all classes for students with more than 60 credits.
  • Round 3 will open on August 8 at 5pm and close September 12 at 5 pm and will be open to all students.

Because of a high demand for the introductory courses Physics for the Sciences (Physics 01:750:193 and 193 lab), there will be no special permission numbers given out to first- and second-year students until August. Priority for registration must be given to seniors who need these courses to satisfy graduation requirements. Priority will then go to juniors once space opens.

If you want to complete your physics course requirements in Fall 2026, we recommend you take General Physics 01:750:203 and the 205 labs, offered every semester including summer.

For students who have not taken 01:750:193, Physics for the Sciences, and wish to take 01:750:194, submit your request in Round 3 only to https://secure.sas.rutgers.edu/apps/special_permission/physics/. Notifications will go out after August 8. Note that very few SPNs are available for 01:750:194 and priority will be given to seniors. You are recommended to take General Physics 01:750:204 and the 206 labs to complete your physics course requirements.

Quantum and Atomic Physics (750:361), Classical Mechanics (750:381) and Electricity & Magnetism (750:385) are intended for students planning on following the professional physics or astrophysics majors, or other very well-prepared students. The Modern Physics lab (750:387) is only for B.S. Physics degree majors and students need to register before first day of classes. Please send e-mail directly with your RUID (the 9-digit number) to Undergraduate Program Director This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for an SPN if you want to take any of these courses.

If you need an SPN for an honors, research, or special topics course, or pre-requisite override, please email directly to Undergraduate Program Director This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the subject as "SPN-HONORS" or "PRE-REQ", exactly as that. In the body, please give your name, RUID (the 9-digit number), and details of your request, including the index numbers of your 3 preferred sections, if appropriate.

Contact Information 

For questions about physics/astrophysics major programs, advice on course selections, and evaluations of courses taken at other universities, send email to the Undergraduate Program Director for the Department of Physics & Astronomy (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).