This site is designed to help with each of these interests and to link you to more detailed information.

What is Physics?

Physics is concerned with the most basic principles that underlie all phenomena in the universe. Physicists ask, "How does the world work?" They search for the most elementary particles; they seek understanding of the behavior of collections of particles ranging from quarks in nuclei and electrons in atoms to stars in galaxies; they strive for insights into the nature of space and time; and they explore the behavior of matter and energy. On a more human scale, physicists study an enormous range of topics including all the devices of modern electronics, complex biological molecules, the atmosphere, and all forms of energy and its uses. Physics is the basis for much of engineering and technology. Studying physics prepares some students to push back the boundaries of knowledge in this most fundamental of the natural sciences. For others it provides training in the concepts and methods of science for application in many professional areas, and for many others it gives a more substantial basis for understanding many aspects of modern society.

Majoring in Physics

If you are considering a major in physics, you should take Math 131 & 132, Calculus I & II, during your first year. If you already have credit for the first semester of calculus, then it is good to continue immediately with Math 132, or if you have credit for both Calculus I and Calculus II, continue with Math 231, Calculus III.

The best way to begin a physics major is with our four-semester sequence in introductory physics, Phys 151, 152, 251, 252, and the laboratory sequence Phys 221, 222. Most students who anticipate a physics major begin with Phys 151, 152 in their first year. However it is possible to begin this sequence in the second year and to complete requirements for either the Bachelor of Arts (BA) or the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Physics. For the BA in Astronomy/Physics it is particularly important to complete 151, 152 the first year.

An alternative route to a physics major is through Phys 231, 232, taken in the second year after completing Math 131, 132.

Still another route to the physics major is through Phys 142E, introductory physics for engineering students. If you want this option, you should contact a physics major advisor to learn about several possibilities.

To serve the wide range of interests of physics majors, the department offers both a BA degree and a BS in Physics, and jointly with the Astronomy Department, a BA in Astronomy/Physics. Detailed requirements and typical course sequences for these degrees can be found at www.Phys.Virginia.EDU/Education/Programs/Degrees and in a brochure available in the Physics department office, room 101, Physics Building.

The basic BA is designed for students interested in physics and planning to enter professional schools in business, education, law, and medicine, and for liberal arts students desiring a strong background in physical science but with career objectives in other areas. A centerpiece of this BA program is the pair of courses, Physics 311, 312, Widely Applied Physics, which treat principles of physics from the perspective of modern applications.

Students planning graduate study in physics or physics related areas or preparing to enter jobs in a scientific or technical field should elect the BS or the BA with a Distinguished Major course sequence, or for astronomy or astrophysics, the Astronomy/Physics BA. These programs provide intensive preparation in physics. There are also special concentrations in computational physics and in optics.

Exceptional physics students may find themselves elected to the ΣΠΣ Honor Role.

If you would like to learn more about the faculty and research facilities in the department, please look at the Graduate Brochure.

If you have questions about physics courses, programs, advising, or are curious about how a physics major may fit your interests, please contact one of the physics undergraduate advisors listed below to learn about the various possibilities and to design a program to fit your specific needs. Our website also has additional information about UVa Physics courses and programs. We invite you to come visit the department.

Undergraduate Advisors	Office	Office Phone	email address
Bascom S. Deaver, Jr.	311C Physics	924-6574	bsd@virginia.edu
Blaine Norum	136 Physics	924-6789	ben@virginia.edu
Olivier Pfister	135 Physics	924-7956	op6n@virginia.edu
Dinko Pocanic	063 Physics	924-7691	dp5m@virginia.edu
John Ruvalds	151 Physics	924-6796	jr7k@virginia.edu

Courses for Non-Science Majors

There are seven courses (Phys 101, 102, 105, 106, 109, 111 and 115) intended particularly for students who are majoring in disciplines other than physical science. All of them count toward the College science requirement and all of them use only high-school mathematics.

Phys 101, 102 - Concepts of Physics [credits: 3,3] Science is becoming more and more central to our everyday life. In these two courses we want to prepare non-science major students to deal with the changing world, both at home and on the job, and to make informed choices about our environment. We hope students will experience the joy of understanding the few great principles upon which the physical sciences are based: for example, Newton's laws, conservation of energy, electromagnetism, the atomic model, and nuclear energy. This will enable us to discuss forefront ideas like the origin of the universe. We expect the students to appreciate that science is a crowning achievement of the human mind that helps us to understand and shape our world.

Phys 105, 106 - The Physics of How Things Work [credits 3,3] A practical introduction to physics and science in everyday life. These two courses consider objects from our daily environment and focus on their principles of operation, history and relationships to one another. In contrast to most physics courses, which are taught from the perspective of the basic laws of physics, these courses begin with the examples and develop the physical principles in the context of the examples. The courses can be taken in either order.

Phys 109 - Galileo and Einstein [credits: 3] The course explores two revolutions in our perception of the universe. The first, in which Galileo played the leading role, was the realization that what we see in the heavens -- the moon, the planets, the sun and stars -- are physical objects. For example, the moon has a rocky surface, not unlike some parts of earth, and is not made of some exotic ethereal substance, as had been generally believed before Galileo. This discovery led to the realization that the motions of the moon and planets obeyed the same physical laws as ordinary things moving on earth. Newton put this all together to give the first unified picture of the universe. The second revolution was Einstein's realization that this was not the whole truth -- space and time are not as straightforward as they first appear, but are related to each other in a simple but unexpected way. Among other results, this leads to the surprising consequence that mass and energy are different aspects of the same thing.

Phys 111 - Energy on our world and elsewhere [credits: 3] This course explores the concept of energy from a physicist's perspective. The course begins by examining the different forms that energy can assume, and moves on to examine the role that energy plays in our society. Topics will include the role that energy places in space travel and the potential colonization of space. Physics 111 is meant for students at all levels who are interested in science but hope to avoid excessive mathematics.

Phys 115 - Powerful Ideas in Physical Science [credits: 3] This course develops some of the most fundamental ideas in physical science by having students think about natural phenomena, talk about them in a group environment (3-4 students), and then perform experiments to discern the basic concepts that underlie them. Subjects studied include matter, heat and energy, force and motion, electricity and magnetism, light and optics. The course is designed especially for preservice education students desiring to be K-8 teachers, but is suitable for a wide range of students majoring in areas other than science. There is minimal use of mathematics. There are two hours lecture and one three-hour lab each week.

Introductory Physics Courses for Science, Engineering and Premedical Majors

Introductory Physics without Calculus

The two-semester sequence, Phys 201-202, provides a comprehensive introduction to physics without the use of calculus. This sequence is normally taken by students who do not expect to take more advanced courses in physics.

Phys 201, 202 - Principles of Physics [credits: 4,4] These courses provide an introduction to mechanics, heat, electricity and magnetism, optics and topics in modern physics. They do not require calculus, but they assume a knowledge of algebra and trigonometry. Taken with the associated laboratory courses, Physics 203, 204, they satisfy the physics requirements for medical and dental schools.

Introductory Physics with Calculus

Any one of the following course sequences provides the basis for taking more advanced courses in physics and for entering a physics major or minor:

Phys 151, 152, 251, 252 - Introductory Physics [credits: 4,4,4,4] This four-semester calculus-based sequence is designed to provide a broad background in introductory physics for potential physics and other science majors. This sequence is particularly appropriate for students ready to begin the study of physics during their first semester. Calculus (Math 131, 132) is taken concurrently with Physics 151, 152. The associated laboratory courses, Physics 221, 222 and Math 231, 325P are normally taken concurrently with Phys 251, 252. Topics covered in Phys 151, 152 include kinematics and Newton's laws, conservation principles, gravitation, frames of reference, thermodynamics, waves, sound and optics. Phys 251, 252 cover electricity and magnetism, special relativity, elementary quantum theory, atomic and nuclear physics.

Phys 231, 232 - Classical and Modern Physics [credits: 4,4] This is a two-semester, calculus-based introductory sequence for science majors. It covers mechanics, electricity and magnetism, heat and thermodynamics, physical optics, elementary quantum theory, atomic and nuclear physics. A year of calculus (usually Math 131, 132) is a prerequisite. These courses taken with the laboratory courses, Phys 201L, 202L satisfy the physics requirements of medical and dental schools. They are normally taken in the second year. Students desiring more extensive preparation in basic physics, and particularly those planning to take physics courses numbered 315 and higher (except Phys 384) should replace Phys 201L, 202L with the higher level laboratory sequence Phys 221, 222 to be taken after completing Phys 231, 232.

Phys 142E, 241E - General Physics [credits: 4,3] This is a two-semester calculus-based introductory sequence for engineering students. It covers mechanics, electricity and magnetism, heat and thermodynamics, and optics. One semester of calculus is prerequisite for Phys 142E; the second semester of calculus is usually taken concurrently with Phys 241E. A workshop, Phys 142W and 241W, is designed to be taken concurrently with Physics 142E and 241E, respectively. Engineering students needing a third course covering modern physics (special relativity, quantum physics, atomic and nuclear physics) should enroll in Phys 252.