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 beyond. If 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 |
|