Physicists study how the natural world behaves at basic levels: the motion of matter and the forces that govern it. Even though these properties may seem simple, they can be used to address many challenging, contemporary questions: How do we decrease our carbon footprint? Where are we going to get energy for the next 50 years? Why is gravity so weak? How can we stretch computers to the physical limits to increase their processing power?
To address these questions and questions like them through physics, you'll learn problem-solving skills to break challenges into smaller parts and build them back up into a whole. If you like to tackle big picture problems by exploring their fundamentals, have an affinity for calculation and reasoning, and seek to break new scientific ground in often unforeseen ways, then you may enjoy studying – and building a career – in physics.
MATH 160 Calculus I: Differential Calculus
MATH 161 Calculus II: Integral Calculus
MATH 260 Calculus III: Intermediate Calculus
MATH 261 Calculus IV: Multivariable Calculus
MATH 361 Differential Equations
PHYS 211 General Physics I: Calculus Based
PHYS 212 General Physics II: Calculus Based
PHYS 310 Mechanics
PHYS 361 Modern Physics
PHYS 370 Quantum Mechanics
PHYS 380 Theoretical Electricity and Magnetism
PHYS 480 Literature Search
PHYS 481 Research I
PHYS 482 Research II
Electives from math or PHYS at the 300 level
CHEM 151 General and Inorganic Chemistry
CHEM 152 Inorganic Chemistry and Qualitative Analysis
PHYS 353 Thermodynamics
CMSC 181 Computer Science I
CMSC 182 Computer Science II
MATH 160 Calculus I: Differential Calculus
MATH 161 Calculus II: Integral Calculus
MATH 260 Calculus III: Intermediate Calculus
MATH 261 Calculus IV: Multivariable Calculus
MATH 361 Differential Equations
PHYS 211 General Physics I: Calculus Based
PHYS 212 General Physics II: Calculus Based
PHYS 310 Mechanics
PHYS 370 Quantum Mechanics
PHYS 380 Theoretical Electricity and Magnetism
PHYS 390 Computational Physics
PHYS 480 Literature Search
PHYS 481 Research I
PHYS 482 Research II
Electives from CMSC or PHYS at the 300 level
CMSC 280 Computer Architecture
PHYS 353 Thermodynamics
PHYS 361 Modern Physics
This option is available only to the students in the dual degree program. A description of the dual degree program is available in the academic catalog.
MATH 160 Calculus I: Differential Calculus
MATH 161 Calculus II: Integral Calculus
MATH 260 Calculus III: Intermediate Calculus
MATH 261 Calculus IV: Multivariable Calculus
MATH 361 Differential Equations
PHYS 211 General Physics I: Calculus Based
PHYS 212 General Physics II: Calculus Based
2 courses in physics at the 300 level
Plus completion of engineering curriculum at Washington University
MATH 160 Calculus I: Differential Calculus
MATH 161 Calculus II: Integral Calculus
MATH 260 Calculus III: Intermediate Calculus
MATH 261 Calculus IV: Multivariable Calculus
MATH 361 Differential Equations
PHYS 211 General Physics I: Calculus Based
PHYS 212 General Physics II: Calculus Based
PHYS 310 Mechanics
PHYS 361 Modern Physics
PHYS 370 Quantum Mechanics
PHYS 380 Theoretical Electricity and Magnetism
Physics electives at the 300 level
Plus requirements for secondary education and education core
PHYS 353 Thermodynamics
BIOL 163 Biological Principles I
CHEM 151 General Chemistry I
PHYS 211 General Physics I: Calculus Based
PHYS 212 General Physics II: Calculus Based
PHYS 310 Mechanics
PHYS 361 Modern Physics
PHYS 353 Thermodynamics
PHYS 370 Quantum Mechanics
PHYS 380 Theoretical Electricity and Magnetism
PHYS 211 General Physics I: Calculus Based
PHYS 212 General Physics II: Calculus Based
Physics electives at the 300 level
Plus requirements for secondary education and education core