DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY

Sample Schedules for Physics Majors

SCHEDULE 1

For students who enter with:

• BC Calculus Credit
• No Physics Credit

SCHEDULE 2

For students who enter with:

• No Math Credit
• No Physics Credit

Schedule 3

• Placement into any MENU sequence (or similar advanced math placement such as ISP)
• No Physics credit

Schedule 4

For students who enter with:

• No Math credit, placement into the Math 218 sequence, or starting later such that Physics 135-1 is not appropriate in Year 1. 
• No Physics credit

COMMENT: This path is not standard for Physics majors, as it corresponds to less math preparation than is typical of Physics majors. However, each year some students follow a similar path successfully, and what is shown here, or a variation specific to a student's placement, can be a viable path to complete the Physics major for students who need to push courses later. 

^ Students choosing to take the MATH 250, and 351 option instead of PHYSICS 250, and who are taking MATH 250 in Fall, could move PHYSICS 330-1,2 to Sophomore year and take MATH 250 and PHYSICS 330-1 concurrently. It is not recommended to take 330-1 if you are just starting MATH 211 and do not have MATH 240 and MATH 250/PHYSICS 250.

^^ Math 240 is required before PHYSICS 250, and MATH 230-2 is required for PHYSICS 135-2. Taking these concurrently can fulfill the scheduling needs, and the math course prerequisites allow this. For additional flexibility in Fall, PHYSICS 211 can be delayed a year, although this would lessen some of its benefits as preparation for PHYSICS 239 and PHYSICS 330.

^^^ MATH 360-1 is a MENU course equivalent to MATH 250. A differential equations course should be taken at least concurrently with PHYSICS 330-1. It is also acceptable to delay PHYSICS 330 until the next year, which can be helpful for scheduling.

* Astronomy concentration only. Either ASTRON 220-1 or 220-2 can be taken to fulfill the requirement, depending on which is offered in any year.

** Students intending to take the physics GRE in fall of senior year or spring of junior year (i.e. those intending to go to graduate school immediately after NU) may find it useful to switch 330-2 and 339-1 or take both concurrently. 

For more information, email the Director of Undergraduate Studies at dusphysics@northwestern.edu