Physics at Virginia
The Physics BS degree is designed for students who are planning graduate study in physics or physics-related areas, or who are planning careers in a scientific or technical field. The program provides intensive preparation in physics and lays a solid foundation for a lifetime of discovery. Official information regarding the major requirements is available in the Undergraduate Record.
The BS degree requires a concentration in either Fundamental Physics or Applied Physics. The Fundamental Physics concentration is designed for students who seek to pursue a career as a researcher. It provides the most rigorous foundation in basic physics principles and is excellent preparation for continuing work towards a Physics Ph.D. The Applied Physics concentration is designed for students who seek to apply their understanding of physics to practical problems in technology and other sciences. It features customizable elective and capstone coursework.
While not required, we recommend that prospective physics majors take PHYS 1930 (Physics in the 21st Century), which introduces many of the 'big ideas' in physics, provides an overview of potential career paths, and helps connect students with research opportunities in the department.
Core Requirements
Students in both concentrations must complete the following courses:
- PHYS 1420 or PHYS 1425 - Introductory Physics 1 (prereq: Calc 1)
- PHYS 1429 - Physics 1 Workshop (coreq: Intro Physics 1)
- PHYS 1655 - Intro Python for Scientists and Engineers or PHYS 3630 - Computational Physics
- MATH 2310 or APMA 2120 - Multivariable Calculus (prereq: Calc 2)
- PHYS 2410 or PHYS 2415 - Introductory Physics 2 (prereq: Multivariable Calc)
- PHYS 2419 - Physics 2 Workshop (coreq: Intro Physics 2)
- PHYS 2620 - Modern Physics (prereq: Intro Physics 2)
- MATH 3250 or APMA 2130 - Differential Equations (prereq: Calc 2)
- PHYS 2720 - Problem Solving (coreq: Intro Physics 2, Differential Equations)
- PHYS 3140 - Intermediate Lab (prereq: Physics Workshops 1 and 2, Modern Physics)
- PHYS 3340 - Mathematics for Physics (prereq: Multivariable Calc)
- MATH 4220 or APMA 3140 - Partial Differential Equations (prereq: Differential Equations)
Fundamental Physics
Students must complete the following additional courses:
- PHYS 3170 or PHYS 3180 - Advanced Lab (prereq: Intermediate Lab)
- PHYS 3210 - Classical Mechanics (prereq: Intro Physics 2, Differential Equations)
- PHYS 3310 - Statistical Physics (prereq: Modern Physics)
- PHYS 3420 - Electricity and Magnetism 1 (prereq: Intro Physics 2, Partial Differential Equations)
- PHYS 3430 - Electricity and Magnetism 2 (prereq: E&M 1)
- PHYS 3650 - Quantum Mechanics 1 (prereq: Modern Physics, Differential Eqns, Math for Physics)
- PHYS 3660 - Quantum Mechanics 2 (prereq: QM 1)
- PHYS 3995 - Research
- One additional 3000- or 5000-level physics elective
Applied Physics
Students must complete the following three requirements:
- Advanced Physics: Three courses chosen from PHYS 3210, PHYS 3310, PHYS 3420, PHYS 3430, PHYS 3650, and PHYS 3660.
- Topical Electives: Twelve credits of courses addressing a cohesive physics-related topic in science or engineering, on which the student intends to focus their capstone. Three credits can be at the 2000-level or higher, and the other nine must be at the 3000-level or higher. A list of potential topics and corresponding courses available here.
- Capstone: Six credits of research or project work on the student’s chosen topic. These credits can be from any department, but projects outside of the physics department require approval by the student's major advisor.
Declaring the Major
You are welcome to declare a physics major at any time, there are no prerequisites or conditions to fulfill. To start the process, please fill out this form to request a major advisor.
Grade Requirements
Required courses must be passed with a minimum grade of C, and a major grade point average of at least 2.000 must be achieved. (For students declaring the major prior to Fall 2024, the minimum acceptable grade is C-.)
Course Substitutions
A number of substitutions are possible for courses required in the major. Common alternatives are listed here, and if you have a special circumstance that you think warrants a substitution not listed, you can discuss it with your physics advisor.
- Students in Electrical and Computer Engineering can substitute ECE 3209 (Electromagnetic Fields) for PHYS 2415 (Intro Physics 2) and PHYS 2419 (Physics 2 Workshop).
- PHYS 3340 (Mathematics for Physics) covers linear algebra and complex variables. If you plan to take upper-level mathematics courses on these topics, consult with your physics advisor to determine whether PHYS 3340 can be waived. The honors calculus sequence MATH 2315/3315 satsifies the requirements for multivariable calculus and differential equations, and also covers the linear algebra portion of PHYS 3340.
- For the Fundamental Physics concentration, you can take either PHYS 3170 (Advanced Lab A) or PHYS 3180 (Advanced Lab B) for the advanced lab requirement. Both courses are equivalent. You can take both 3170 and 3180, picking different experiments to work on the second time, and the second course can count as an elective.
- With the permision of your physics advisor, you can substitute PHYS 5310 (Optics) for PHYS 3430 (Electricity and Magnetism 2). We recommend PHYS 3430 for students planning to pursue graduate studies in physics, but PHYS 5310 could be more useful for some fields. If you make this substitution, you cannot double-count PHYS 5310 as an elective.
- It is possible to take PHYS 3995 (Research) multiple times. If you do so with different professors working in distinct fields, your advisor can approve it to use it in the Fundamenal Physics as your elective course in addition to the Research requirement.
- With the permission of your physics advisor and the course instructor, you can enroll in graduate courses at the 7000 or 8000 level, and these can be used to satisfy elective requirements.
Distinguished Major Program
Students demonstrating outstanding academic performance are eligible to receive the BS degree with distinction (GPA > 3.400), high distinction (GPA > 3.600), or highest distinction (GPA > 3.800).
Sample Course Schedules
Both concentrations offer some flexibility in the order and timing of courses. Consult with your major advisor to develop a course plan that suits your situation.
Note that in all schedules, only courses related to the physics degree are shown.
*PHYS 1930 Physics in the 21st Century and PHYS 1660 Practical Computing are optional courses that are not required for the major.