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 330-2Classical Mechanics
PHYSICS 333-2Advanced Electricity & Magnetism
PHYSICS 339-2Quantum 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 330-2Classical Mechanics
PHYSICS 333-2Advanced Electricity & Magnetism
PHYSICS 339-2Quantum Mechanics
ASTRON 220-1Introduction 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.