Traditional Physics Track

Typical Sequence of Classes for Students
Taking PHYS 141P and MATH 130 Fall Term of their First Year


The sequence of classes listed below roughly outlines the physics and mathematics classes that a physics major can expect to take if he or she starts taking physics courses as a first-year student and who does not have a solid enough foundation in mathematics to be taking the regular Calculus I course (MATH 141Q, Calculus I with Analytic Geometry) in the fall semester.  Students in this group will need to take MATH 130, Calculus I with Review Part 1, in the fall and MATH 131Q, Calculus I with Review Part 2, in the spring.  If possible, MATH 142Q, Calculus II, should be taken in the summer after the first year* so that the student may take the standard sequence of courses for the sophomore year and beyond.

*Note: It is preferable to take Calculus II at Stetson, but it can also be taken at a state or community college.

The selection of courses offered each semester is determined both by student interest and the availability of faculty to teach them.  Physics and Mathematics courses that are in bold font are generally offered every year, and those shown in italics are generally offered in alternate years.

 

FALL OF FIRST YEAR  
PHYS 141P - University Physics I 1 unit
MATH 130 - Calculus I with Review, Part 1 1 unit
FSEM - First-Year Seminar 1 unit
ENGL 101 (or other appropriate Writing course as indicated by the Writing Placement criteria) or a General Education course  1 unit
   
SPRING OF FIRST YEAR   
PHYS 142P - University Physics II   1 unit
MATH 131Q - Calculus I with Review, Part 2  1 unit
ENGL 101 (or other appropriate Writing course as indicated by the Writing Placement criteria) or a General Education course   1 unit
General Education course   1 unit
   
SUMMER AFTER FIRST YEAR / BEFORE SOPHOMORE YEAR   
The following course is strongly recommended for the summer:
MATH 142Q - Calculus II with Analytic Geometry
 1 unit
   
If MATH 142Q is taken in the summer, switch to this sequence for sophomore year and beyondIf MATH 142Q is not taken in the summer, proceed with this sequence: 
   
FALL OF SOPHOMORE YEAR   
PHYS 380 - Physics Colloquium  non-credit
MATH 142 - Calculus II with Analytic Geometry   1 unit
General Education course   1 unit
General Education course  1 unit
General Education course   
   
Note: Students should verify on their degree audit that they have met all their General Education course requirements (noting that their JSEM will be taken junior year) before considering them completed on this checklist.  
   
SPRING OF SOPHOMORE YEAR   
PHYS 312 - Laboratory Techniques  1 unit
PHYS 380 - Physics Colloquium   non-credit
Elective course   1 unit
Elective course  1 unit
Elective course 1 unit
   
FALL OF JUNIOR YEAR  
PHYS 243 - Modern Physics 1 unit
PHYS 380 - Physics Colloquium non-credit
MATH 243 - Calculus III with Analytic Geometry 1 unit
JSEM - Junior Seminar or Elective course 1 unit
Physics Elective:  PHYS 253 - Optics or PHYS 356 - Electronics  1 unit
   
SPRING OF JUNIOR YEAR   
PHYS 304 - Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences  1 unit
PHYS 322 - Mechanics I   1 unit
PHYS 497 - Senior Project Proposal 1/2 unit
PHYS 380 - Physics Colloquium   non-credit
JSEM - Junior Seminar or Elective course   1 unit
Elective course   1 unit
The elective courses may include either one or more of the following physics courses or other courses:
        PHYS 362 - Thermophysics
        PHYS 412 - Advanced Laboratory Techniques
        PHYS 422 - Mechanics II
        PHYS 432 - Electromagnetic Theory
        PHYS 443 - Quantum Mechanics II
 
   
FALL OF SENIOR YEAR   
PHYS 332 - Electricity & Magnetism  1 unit
PHYS 343 - Quantum Mechanics I   1 unit
PHYS 498 - Senior Project  1 unit
PHYS 380 - Physics Colloquium   1/2 unit
Elective course, which may be a Physics elective or another course
          PHYS 253 - Optics or PHYS 356 - Electronics 
1 unit
   
SPRING OF SENIOR YEAR   
PHYS 499 - Senior Seminar 1/2 unit
PHYS 380 - Physics Colloquium   1 unit
Elective course  1 unit
Elective course  1 unit
Elective course   1 unit
The elective courses may include either one or more of the following physics courses or other courses:
        PHYS 362 - Thermophysics
        PHYS 412 - Advanced Laboratory Techniques
        PHYS 422 - Mechanics II
        PHYS 432 - Electromagnetic Theory
        PHYS 443 - Quantum Mechanics II