Program

In the Physics program at Lafayette, you will study the world at its most fundamental level while also gaining skills applicable to a wide range of technical fields, engineering, computing, quantitative analysis.

Please note: several courses linked here were added in Fall 2024, and have not yet propagated to main catalog page. If a link is broken, please check the descriptions on our Courses page.

First-Year students and others seeking introductory physics courses

Please see the First-year Course Selection Advice and Choosing the Right Physics Course pages for guidance on choosing introductory physics courses.

B.S. in Physics

The Physics major requirements were revised in Fall 2024. Students who declared a Physics major in or before Spring 2024 should consult with their advisor on how to appropriately manage these changes. The old requirements can be found here.

The requirements for the B.S. degree in Physics are:

Any given course can fulfill only one requirement. In particular, PHYS 314 can fulfill a physics elective requirement or the Math/CS/CM/PHYS 314 requirement, but not both.

See also the note on Course Substitutions below.

A.B. in Physics

The Physics major requirements were revised in Fall 2024. Students who declared a Physics major in or before Spring 2024 should consult with their advisor on how to appropriately manage these changes. The old requirements can be found here.

The requirements for the A.B. degree in Physics are:

See also the note on Course Substitutions below.

Concentration in Astronomy

The requirements for the A.B. or B.S. in Physics with a concentration in Astronomy are:

Minor in Physics

The Minor in Physics requires a sequence of six Physics courses which must include a two-semester introductory calculus-based sequence (i.e. Phys 131-133, or Phys 151-152) and 215. The three additional Physics courses are to be chosen from among those that may be used to meet the requirements for a major in Physics. Courses with numbers below 111 are designed primarily for students in non-technical programs, are less mathematical in their approach to physics, and are not acceptable for the purpose of meeting this requirement.

Typical Course Patterns

Shown below are some typical course patterns for fulfilling the physics degree requirements, particularly in the first two years of study. Depending on your interests and background, however, there may be other possibilities or options available. Please consult with any physics faculty member about the opportunities available to you.

Year Fall Spring
1st Phys 130 Phys 131  or Phys 151
Math 161 Math 162
FYS Elective
Elective Elective
2nd Phys 133  or Phys 152 Phys 215
Elective Phys 238
Math 263 Math 264
Elective Elective
3rd Phys 351 Elective
Electives and Advanced Physics Courses Electives and Advanced Physics Courses
4th Electives and Advanced Physics Courses Electives and Advanced Physics Courses

Starting Spring of First Year

Sometimes students take their first physics course in the spring of their first year. In this situation, the only change from the pattern above is that Phys 130 should be taken any subsequent fall semester.

Course Substitutions for Physics A.B. and B.S requirements

In special circumstances, students who have taken advanced electrical and computer engineering or mechanical engineering courses in electromagnetic theory, electronics, dynamics, or thermodynamics may waive certain of the required courses with approval of the head of the physics department and the Academic Progress Committee.

Advanced courses from other science or engineering departments may be substituted for physics elective courses and up to two required physics courses with the approval of the head of the physics department and the Academic Progress Committee, when doing so will produce a coherent program of physics applied to an interdisciplinary field such as material science, biophysics, geophysics, etc.