The main requirement for a Physics (or a related field) major is a real interest. Contrary to popular belief, physics is not harder than any other subject matter. But it is very different. If you are willing to work hard and are ready for some totally unconventional way of thinking then you will do fine.

With minor exceptions, in your first two years with us you can take all the courses required by all baccalaureate institutions for the freshman-sophomore curriculum in physics. At minimum, you should take with us PHY 201, PHY 202, MAT 221, and MAT 222. The complete sequence includes the following courses.

• PHY 201: General Physics (5 credits); offered in the fall of every year.
• PHY 202: General Physics (5 credits); a continuation of PHY 201, offered in the spring of every year.
• PHY 205: Modern Physics (3 credits); this course is not offered due to low enrollments unless enough interest exists at a local campus, in which case the local instructor may offer it. If you do not take this course with us you can easily take it at the institution you transfer to and still be in step with the recommended sequence in your junior and senior years. The Department is discussing the possibility of offering this course via DE to all campuses either in the spring or summer of every year.

• MAT 221: Calculus and Analytic Geometry I (5 credits); offered in the fall and spring of every year. This is a prerequisite for PHY 201 (or you must be concurrently enrolled in both classes and have consent of your physics instructor).
• MAT 222: Calculus and Analytic Geometry II (5 credits); a continuation of MAT 221, offered in the fall and spring of every year. This is a prerequisite for PHY 202 (or you must have consent of your physics instructor).
• MAT 223: Calculus and Analytic Geometry III (5 credits); a continuation of MAT 222, offered in the fall and spring of every year.
• MAT 271: Ordinary Differential Equations (3 credits); offered in the spring of every year.

This includes majors in business, elementary education, medical technology, pharmacy, pre-dentistry, and pre-medical studies. Contrary to popular belief, physics is not harder than any other subject matter. But it is very different. If you are willing to work hard and are ready for some totally unconventional way of thinking then you will do fine.

In your first two years with us you can take all the courses required by all baccalaureate institutions for the freshman-sophomore curriculum in physics. The complete sequence includes the following courses.

• PHY 141: General Physics (4-5 credits); offered in the fall of every year.
• PHY 142: General Physics (4-5 credits); a continuation of PHY 141, offered in the spring of every year.

• MAT 105: Introduction to College Algebra (3 credits); offered in the fall and spring of every year. This is a prerequisite for PHY 141 (or you must have consent of instructor if you are competent at this level).

There are three physics classes we offer for those simply interested in a gentle introduction to the discipline. Depending on your interest, background and transfer needs you can choose among the following.

• PHY 107: Ideas of Modern Physics (3-4 credits); for non-science majors.

• PHY 110: Physics for the Health Sciences (3-4 credits); for those interested in the health sciences.

• PHY115: Energy and the Environment (3 cr); for non-science majors.

• PHY 120: Physical Science (3-4 credits); it covers general topics from physics, geology and astronomy.

If you have any questions about which course(s) you should take, consult with your local Student Services personnel or instructor(s). 

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