The following information is relevant for students that have already matriculated and begun the major. New updates to the physics major offer new possibilities for students. If you are interested in majoring in physics, or have questions about physics course selection, please contact your major advisor or the Department Chair, Yue Hu (yhu@wellesley.edu), for more details.
| Courses Required for the Major | |||||
| Number | Name | Pre-reqs | Units | Semester Offered | |
| 100 Levels |
Phys 100 |
Relativity and Quantum Physics: An Introduction to College Physics | Co-req: Math 115 | 1.0 | Both |
| Phys 107 | Principles and Applications of Mechanics with Laboratory | Pre-req: Math 115 | 1.25 | Both | |
| Phys 108 | Principles and Applications of Electricity and Magnetism | Pre-req: Phys 107, Math 116/120 | 1.0 | Both | |
| 200 Levels | Phys 205 | Introduction to Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics | Pre-req: Phys 107 | 1.25 | Fall |
| Phys 207 | Classical Dynamics | Pre-req: Phys 108, Math 215 | 1.0 | Spring | |
| Phys 208 | Intermediate Electromagnetism | Pre-req: Phys 108, Math 205 | 1.0 | Fall | |
| Phys 210 | Experimental Techniques | Pre-req: Phys 108 | 1.25 | Both | |
|
300 Levels
|
Phys 302 | Quantum Mechanics | Pre-req: Phys 100, Phys 207, Math 215 | 1.0 | Fall |
| 1st 300-level | Choose from list below | ||||
| 2nd 300-level | Choose from list below | ||||
| Options for 300 Levels | |||||
|
Courses recommended for Graduate Study |
Phys 308 | Electromagnetic Theory | Pre-req: Phys 208, Math 215 | 1.0 | Fall |
| Phys 305 | Statistical Mechanics and Thermodynamics | Pre-req: Phys 205, Phys 207, Math 205 | 1.0 | Spring | |
| Phys 310 | Experimental Physics | Pre-req: Phys 210, Phys 120 | 1.25 | Spring | |
| Phys 322H | Advanced Topics in Classical Mechanics | Pre-req: Phys 207 | 0.5 | Occasionally | |
| Phys 323H | Advanced Topics in Quantum Mechanics | Pre-req: Phys 302 | 0.5 | Occasionally | |
| Electives | Phys 331 | Modern Materials | Pre-req: Phys 108, Phys 210/Chem 361 | 1.0 | Occasionally |
| Phys 313 | Differential Geometry and General Relativity | Pre-req: A 300 level course in physics or math | 1.0 | Occasionally | |
| Phys 332 | Particle Physics | Pre-req: Phys 100, Phys 302 | 1.0 | Occasionally | |
| Phys 311 | Advanced Astrophysics | Co-req: Phys 207, Pre-req: Phys 120 | 1.0 | Every other spring | |
| previously offerred courses 120H and 205H have been combined into 205 | |||||
Example Schedule for Completing the Physics Major
| Starting First Semester First Year | Starting Second Semester First Year | |||
| Fall | Spring | Fall | Spring | |
| First Year | PHYS 100 MATH 115 |
PHYS 107 MATH 116 |
PHYS 100 MATH 115 |
|
| Sophomore | PHYS 108 MATH 215 |
PHYS 207 MATH 205 |
PHYS 107 MATH 116 |
PHYS 108 MATH 205 |
| Junior | PHYS 208 PHYS 205 |
PHYS 210 | PHYS 208 PHYS 205 MATH 215 |
PHYS 207 PHYS 210 |
| Senior | PHYS 302 PHYS 3** |
PHYS 3** | PHYS 302 PHYS 3** |
PHYS 3** |
PHYS 3** = Physics 300-level course of your choice