Physics Major
Students must also complete the Undergraduate Registration Requirement and the degree requirements of their home school.
NOTE: This Catalog describes Weinberg College BA requirements that pertain to students who matriculated at Northwestern after spring quarter 2023. Refer to the Archives if you are following BA requirements described in the 2018-2019 through 2022-2023 editions.
The physics major is designed to help students acquire a broad and varied background in physics and related fields; it provides an excellent intellectual foundation for many careers. The three basic steps toward completing the major are fulfilling prerequisites in introductory physics and calculus; taking a core sequence (common to all concentrations) of classical physics, modern physics, and mathematics; and completing a course concentration.
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| Prerequisites | |
| MATH 220-1 & MATH 220-2 | Single-Variable Differential Calculus and Single-Variable Integral Calculus |
| or MATH 218-1 & MATH 218-2 & MATH 218-3 | Single-Variable Calculus with Precalculus and Single-Variable Calculus with Precalculus and Single-Variable Calculus with Precalculus |
| PHYSICS 140-1 & PHYSICS 140-2 & PHYSICS 140-3 & PHYSICS 136-1 & PHYSICS 136-2 & PHYSICS 136-3 | Fundamentals of Physics and Fundamentals of Physics and Fundamentals of Physics and General Physics Laboratory and General Physics Laboratory and General Physics Laboratory |
| or PHYSICS 135-1 & PHYSICS 135-2 & PHYSICS 135-3 & PHYSICS 136-1 & PHYSICS 136-2 & PHYSICS 136-3 | General Physics and General Physics and General Physics and General Physics Laboratory and General Physics Laboratory and General Physics Laboratory |
| or PHYSICS 125-1 & PHYSICS 125-2 & PHYSICS 125-3 & PHYSICS 126-1 & PHYSICS 126-2 & PHYSICS 126-3 | General Physics ISP and General Physics for ISP and General Physics for ISP and Physics Laboratory for ISP and Physics Laboratory for ISP and Physics Laboratory for ISP |
| Major Requirements (units vary, depending on math courses and concentration selected) | |
| 10–11 core courses (depending on math concentration) | |
| Core mathematics and mathematical tools courses listed below or equivalent courses approved by the department: 1 | |
| Multivariable Differential Calculus and Multivariable Integral Calculus 1 | |
| Mathematical Tools for the Physical Sciences and Mathematical Tools for the Physical Sciences | |
| Linear Algebra and Elementary Differential Equations and Fourier Analysis and Boundary Value Problems | |
| Core physics courses: | |
| Foundations of Modern Physics | |
| Classical Mech | |
| Statistical Mechanics | |
| Advanced Electricity & Magnetism | |
| Quantum Mechanics | |
| 1 lab course chosen from: | |
| Observational Astrophysics | |
| Optics Laboratory | |
| Electronics | |
| Advanced Physics Laboratory (may not also count toward the concentration) | |
| 5–6 courses in the chosen concentration (A course may not be counted toward more than one requirement.) | |
- 1
PHYSICS 312-0 Scalar and Vector Field Methods in Physics may be used in place of MATH 230-2 Multivariable Integral Calculus with department permission.
Concentrations
Advanced Physics (6 units)
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| PHYSICS 330-2 | Classical Mechanics |
| PHYSICS 333-2 | Advanced Electricity & Magnetism |
| PHYSICS 339-2 | Quantum Mechanics |
| 1 lab course from: | |
| Observational Astrophysics | |
| Optics Laboratory | |
| Electronics | |
| Advanced Physics Laboratory | |
| 2 other 300-level physics or astronomy courses other than: | |
| Mathematical Tools for the Physical Sciences and Mathematical Tools for the Physical Sciences | |
| Scalar and Vector Field Methods in Physics | |
| Independent Thesis Research | |
| Independent Study | |
| Honors Independent Study | |
| Independent Study | |
Astronomy (6 units)
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| PHYSICS 330-2 | Classical Mechanics |
| PHYSICS 333-2 | Advanced Electricity & Magnetism |
| PHYSICS 339-2 | Quantum Mechanics |
| ASTRON 220-1 | Introduction to Astrophysics I: Life Cycle of Stars and Planets |
| or ASTRON 220-2 | Introduction to Astrophysics II: Galactic Evolution and Cosmology |
| 2 other 300-level astronomy classes other than ASTRON 398-0 or ASTRON 399-0 | |
Flexible (5 units)
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| 3 300-level physics or astronomy lecture or lab courses | |
| 2 courses from the following: | |
| Magnetic Resonance Imaging | |
| Supramolecular Design of Materials and Nanostructures | |
| Introduction to Feedback Systems | |
| Electronic Properties of Materials | |
| Applied Dynamical Systems | |
| Phase Equilibria & Diffusion of Materials | |
| Soft Materials | |
| Introductory Physics of Materials | |
| Introductory Physics of Materials | |
| Crystallography & Diffraction | |
| Nanomaterials | |
| Introduction to Tribology | |
Any 300-level physics or astronomy lecture or lab course that is not otherwise required | |
| May not count toward any of these requirements: | |
| Mathematical Tools for the Physical Sciences and Mathematical Tools for the Physical Sciences | |
| Scalar and Vector Field Methods in Physics | |
| Independent Thesis Research | |
| Independent Study | |
| Honors Independent Study | |
| Independent Study | |
Honors in Physics and Astronomy
Majors with strong records in their physics, astronomy, and mathematic courses and an interest in pursuing honors should notify the director of undergraduate studies in October of senior year. Eligible students must enroll for 2 units of PHYSICS 398-0 Independent Thesis Research or PHYSICS 399-0 Independent Study by the time of graduation. They participate in research culminating in a written report.
Students whose research reports and grades meet department criteria are recommended to the college for graduation with honors. For more information consult the director of undergraduate studies and see Honors in the Major.