Effective Winter 2024
Advising
Students with any questions about courses or majors in Physics should speak with Physics department advisors.
Students wishing to pursue a minor in Physics must develop a specific plan for its completion in consultation with the department's designated advisor.
Advising appointments can be scheduled in the Physics Student Services Office, 1440 Randall Lab [(734) 764-5539] or via the online advising calendar http://lsa.umich.edu/physics/undergraduate-students/major---minor-programs.html
Grade Policies
Students must earn at least a C-in all courses they plan to include in the major, including the prerequisites.
Prerequisites
Students prepare for the study of physics by completing the following introductory sequences (four courses total).
One of the following 100 level lectures:
- PHYSICS 140: General Physics I (should be taken concurrently with PHYSICS 141)
- PHYSICS 150: Fundamental Physics for the Life Sciences I (should be elected concurrently with PHYSICS 151)
- PHYSICS 160: Honors Physics I (should be elected concurrently with PHYSICS 141 or 161)
One of the following 100 level labs:
- PHYSICS 141: Elementary Laboratory I (should be taken concurrently with PHYSICS 140)
- PHYSICS 151: Physics for the Life Sciences Laboratory I (should be elected concurrently with PHYSICS 150)
- PHYSICS 161: Honors Introductory Mechanics Lab (should be elected concurrently with PHYSICS 160)
One of the following 200 level lectures:
- PHYSICS 240: General Physics II (should be elected concurrently with PHYSICS 241)
- PHYSICS 250: Fundamental Physics for the Life Sciences II (should be elected concurrently with PHYSICS 251)
- PHYSICS 260: Honors Physics II (should be elected concurrently with PHYSICS 241 or 261)
One of the following 200 level labs:
- PHYSICS 241: Elementary Laboratory I (should be elected concurrently with PHYSICS 240)
- PHYSICS 251: Physics for the Life Sciences Laboratory II (should be elected concurrently with PHYSICS 250)
- PHYSICS 261: Honors Electricity and Magnetism Lab (should be elected concurrently with PHYSICS 260)
Students who begin the introductory sequence should have completed at least one semester of calculus (MATH 115 or equivalent). Students who have not already done so should continue their study of mathematics concurrently with their PHYSICS coursework, progressing through differential equations (typically the fourth semester of calculus).
Students who passed one or more AP Physics exams with a score of 5 or higher or who passed the IB HL exam with a 4 or higher are strongly encouraged to elect the honors introductory sequence (PHYSICS 160, 161, 260, and 261).
It is not necessary to complete all courses in the prerequisite sequences in order to declare the physics major. Students are encouraged to officially declare as soon as they make the decision.
Requirements
Once a student has mastered introductory content and declared the major, they prepare for advanced study of the discipline by fulfilling the Intermediate Courses Requirement (four courses), then move on to master advanced concepts, skills, problems, and topics of the discipline by completing the Advanced Courses Requirement (five courses), an Elective Requirement (two courses), and Advanced Elective Requirement (one course).
Intermediate Courses Requirement
Students must complete all of the following:
- PHYSICS 340: Waves, Heat, and Light –OR– PHYSICS 360: Honors Physics III
- PHYSICS 351: Methods of Theoretical Physics I
- PHYSICS 390: Introduction to Modern Physics
- PHYSICS 391: Introduction to Modern Physics Lab
Ideally, PHYSICS 351 is elected no later than the second semester of the sophomore year. PHYSICS 390 and 391 can be elected concurrently with PHYSICS 401 or 405 (part of the Advanced Courses Requirement).
Advanced Courses Requirement
Students must complete all of the following:
- PHYSICS 401: Intermediate Mechanics
- PHYSICS 405: Intermediate Electricity and Magnetism
- PHYSICS 406: Statistical and Thermal Physics
- PHYSICS 441: Advanced Laboratory I
- PHYSICS 453: Quantum Mechanics
Students are encouraged to complete both PHYSICS 401 and 405 before electing PHYSICS 453.
Elective Requirement
Students round out their study of physics by taking two of the following elective courses:
- PHYSICS 402: Optics
- PHYSICS 411: Introduction to Computational Physics*
- PHYSICS 413 / CMPLXSYS 541: Introduction to Nonlinear Dynamics and the Physics of Complexity
- PHYSICS / BIOPHYS / CHEM 417: Dynamical Processes in Biophysics
- PHYSICS / BIOPHYS 433: Biocomplexity
- PHYSICS 435: Gravitational Physics
- PHYSICS 438: Electromagnetic Radiation
- PHYSICS 442: Advanced Laboratory II*
- PHYSICS / BIOPHYS 450: Laboratory Techniques in Biophysics
- PHYSICS 452: Methods of Theoretical Physics II
- PHYSICS 460: Quantum Mechanics II (requires previous completion of PHYSICS 453)
- PHYSICS 463: Introduction to Solid State Physics (requires previous completion of PHYSICS 453)
Advanced Elective Requirement
Students complete their study of physics by taking one of the following advanced elective courses:
- PHYSICS 411: Introduction to Computational Physics*
- PHYSICS 440: Instrumentation for the Physical Sciences
- PHYSICS 442: Advanced Laboratory II*
- PHYSICS 495: Physics Research Capstone
Physics Honors students are ineligible to elect PHYSICS 495 as their Advanced Elective Requirement. Honors students should elect PHYSICS 496/497.
*If either PHYSICS 411 or PHYSICS 442 are being used to meet the Elective Requirement, the course cannot be used to also meet the Advanced Elective Requirement.
Constraints
Courses elected as pass/fail may not be included in the major.
Residency
A minimum of 15 credits at the 300 level or above must be completed in residence. In-residence: Courses elected on the Ann Arbor campus or at off-campus sites directed by Ann Arbor faculty. This includes STDABRD, Camp Davis, Biological Station, Michigan-in-Washington
Distribution Policy
No course used to fulfill a major requirement may be used toward the LSA Distribution Requirement. In addition, courses in the PHYSICS subject area may not be used toward the Distribution Requirement.
Honors
Talented and highly motivated students who have an interest in conducting independent research are encouraged to complete an honors major. In addition to the requirements for major, honors majors must complete an additional six PHYSICS credits numbered at the 400 level or above and produce a senior thesis under the supervision of a faculty member. PHYSICS 495 cannot be used towards an Honors major. Instead, students may count up to 3-credits of PHYSICS 496/497: Senior Thesis upon department advisor approval. (Note: PHYSICS 415 will not count toward a Physics Honors major.)
Physics (Major) (Fall 2021 - Fall 2023)
Effective Fall 2021
Advising
Students with any questions about courses or majors in Physics should speak with Physics department advisors.
Students wishing to pursue a minor in Physics must develop a specific plan for its completion in consultation with the department's designated advisor.
Advising appointments can be scheduled in the Physics Student Services Office, 1440 Randall Lab [(734) 764-5539] or via the online advising calendar http://lsa.umich.edu/physics/undergraduate-students/major---minor-programs.html
Grade Policies
Students must earn at least a C-in all courses they plan to include in the major, including the prerequisites.
Prerequisites
Students prepare for the study of physics by completing the following introductory sequences (four courses total).
One of the following 100 level lectures:
- PHYSICS 140: General Physics I (should be taken concurrently with PHYSICS 141)
- PHYSICS 150: Fundamental Physics for the Life Sciences I (should be elected concurrently with PHYSICS 151)
- PHYSICS 160: Honors Physics I (should be elected concurrently with PHYSICS 141 or 161)
One of the following 100 level labs:
- PHYSICS 141: Elementary Laboratory I (should be taken concurrently with PHYSICS 140)
- PHYSICS 151: Physics for the Life Sciences Laboratory I (should be elected concurrently with PHYSICS 150)
- PHYSICS 161: Honors Introductory Mechanics Lab (should be elected concurrently with PHYSICS 160)
One of the following 200 level lectures:
- PHYSICS 240: General Physics II (should be elected concurrently with PHYSICS 241)
- PHYSICS 250: Fundamental Physics for the Life Sciences II (should be elected concurrently with PHYSICS 251)
- PHYSICS 260: Honors Physics II (should be elected concurrently with PHYSICS 241 or 261)
One of the following 200 level labs:
- PHYSICS 241: Elementary Laboratory I (should be elected concurrently with PHYSICS 240)
- PHYSICS 251: Physics for the Life Sciences Laboratory II (should be elected concurrently with PHYSICS 250)
- PHYSICS 261: Honors Electricity and Magnetism Lab (should be elected concurrently with PHYSICS 260)
Students who begin the introductory sequence should have completed at least one semester of calculus (MATH 115 or equivalent). Students who have not already done so should continue their study of mathematics concurrently with their PHYSICS coursework, progressing through differential equations (typically the fourth semester of calculus).
Students who passed one or more AP Physics exams with a score of 5 or higher or who passed the IB HL exam with a 4 or higher are strongly encouraged to elect the honors introductory sequence (PHYSICS 160, 161, 260, and 261).
It is not necessary to complete all courses in the prerequisite sequences in order to declare the physics major. Students are encouraged to officially declare as soon as they make the decision.
Requirements
Once a student has mastered introductory content and declared the major, they prepare for advanced study of the discipline by fulfilling the Intermediate Courses Requirement (four courses), then move on to master advanced concepts, skills, problems, and topics of the discipline by completing the Advanced Courses Requirement (five courses), an Elective Requirement (two courses), and Advanced Elective Requirement (one course).
Intermediate Courses Requirement
Students must complete all of the following:
- PHYSICS 340: Waves, Heat, and Light –OR– PHYSICS 360: Honors Physics III
- PHYSICS 351: Methods of Theoretical Physics I
- PHYSICS 390: Introduction to Modern Physics (must be taken concurrently with PHYSICS 391)
- PHYSICS 391: Introduction to Modern Physics Lab (must be taken concurrently with PHYSICS 390)
Ideally, PHYSICS 351 is elected no later than the second semester of the sophomore year. It is an enforced prerequisite for PHYSICS 390 and the Advanced Courses Requirement. PHYSICS 390 and 391 can be elected concurrently with PHYSICS 401 or 405 (part of the Advanced Courses Requirement).
Advanced Courses Requirement
Students must complete all of the following:
- PHYSICS 401: Intermediate Mechanics
- PHYSICS 405: Intermediate Electricity and Magnetism
- PHYSICS 406: Statistical and Thermal Physics
- PHYSICS 441: Advanced Laboratory I
- PHYSICS 453: Quantum Mechanics
Students are encouraged to complete both PHYSICS 401 and 405 before electing PHYSICS 453.
Elective Requirement
Students round out their study of physics by taking two of the following elective courses:
- PHYSICS 402: Optics
- PHYSICS 411: Introduction to Computational Physics*
- PHYSICS 413 / CMPLXSYS 541: Introduction to Nonlinear Dynamics and the Physics of Complexity
- PHYSICS / BIOPHYS / CHEM 417: Dynamical Processes in Biophysics
- PHYSICS / BIOPHYS 433: Biocomplexity
- PHYSICS 435: Gravitational Physics
- PHYSICS 438: Electromagnetic Radiation
- PHYSICS 442: Advanced Laboratory II*
- PHYSICS / BIOPHYS 450: Laboratory Techniques in Biophysics
- PHYSICS 452: Methods of Theoretical Physics II
- PHYSICS 460: Quantum Mechanics II (requires previous completion of PHYSICS 453)
- PHYSICS 463: Introduction to Solid State Physics (requires previous completion of PHYSICS 453)
Advanced Elective Requirement
Students complete their study of physics by taking one of the following advanced elective courses:
- PHYSICS 411: Introduction to Computational Physics*
- PHYSICS 442: Advanced Laboratory II*
- PHYSICS 495: Physics Research Capstone
Physics Honors students are ineligible to elect PHYSICS 495 as their Advanced Elective Requirement. Honors students should elect PHYSICS 496/497.
*If either PHYSICS 411 or PHYSICS 442 are being used to meet the Elective Requirement, the course cannot be used to also meet the Advanced Elective Requirement.
Constraints
Courses elected as pass/fail may not be included in the major.
Residency
A minimum of 15 credits at the 300 level or above must be completed in residence. In-residence: Courses elected on the Ann Arbor campus or at off-campus sites directed by Ann Arbor faculty. This includes STDABRD, Camp Davis, Biological Station, Michigan-in-Washington
Distribution Policy
No course used to fulfill a major requirement may be used toward the LSA Distribution Requirement. In addition, courses in the PHYSICS subject area may not be used toward the Distribution Requirement.
Honors
Talented and highly motivated students who have an interest in conducting independent research are encouraged to complete an honors major. In addition to the requirements for major, honors majors must complete an additional six PHYSICS credits numbered at the 400 level or above and produce a senior thesis under the supervision of a faculty member. PHYSICS 495 cannot be used towards an Honors major. Instead, students may count up to 3-credits of PHYSICS 496/497: Senior Thesis upon department advisor approval. (Note: PHYSICS 415 will not count toward a Physics Honors major.)
Physics (Major) (Winter 2017 - Summer 2021)
Effective Winter 2017
Advising
Students with any questions about courses or majors in Physics should speak with Physics department advisors.
Students wishing to pursue a minor in Physics must develop a specific plan for its completion in consultation with the department's designated advisor.
Advising appointments can be scheduled in the Physics Student Services Office, 1440 Randall Lab [(734) 764-5539] or via the online advising calendar http://lsa.umich.edu/physics/undergraduate-students/major---minor-programs.html
Grade Policies
Students must earn at least a C-in all courses they plan to include in the major, including the prerequisites.
Prerequisites
Students prepare for the study of physics by completing the following introductory sequences (four courses total).
One of the following 100 level lectures:
- PHYSICS 135: Physics for the Life Sciences I (should be elected concurrently with PHYSICS 136)
- PHYSICS 140: General Physics I (should be taken concurrently with PHYSICS 141)
- PHYSICS 160: Honors Physics I (should be elected concurrently with PHYSICS 141 or 161)
One of the following 100 level labs:
- PHYSICS 136 Physics for the Life Sciences Laboratory I (should be elected concurrently with PHYSICS 135)
- PHYSICS 141: Elementary Laboratory I (should be taken concurrently with PHYSICS 140)
- PHYSICS 161: Honors Introductory Mechanics Lab (should be elected concurrently with PHYSICS 160)
One of the following 200 level lectures:
- PHYSICS 235: Physics for the Life Sciences II (should be elected concurrently with PHYSICS 236)
- PHYSICS 240: General Physics II (should be elected concurrently with PHYSICS 241)
- PHYSICS 260: Honors Physics II (should be elected concurrently with PHYSICS 241 or 261)
One of the following 200 level labs:
- PHYSICS 236: Physics for the Life Sciences Laboratory II (should be elected concurrently with PHYSICS 235)
- PHYSICS 241: Elementary Laboratory I (should be elected concurrently with PHYSICS 240)
- PHYSICS 261: Honors Electricity and Magnetism Lab (should be elected concurrently with PHYSICS 260)
Students who begin the introductory sequence should have completed at least one semester of calculus (MATH 115 or equivalent). Students who have not already done so should continue their study of mathematics concurrently with their PHYSICS coursework, progressing through differential equations (typically the fourth semester of calculus).
Students who passed one or more AP Physics exams with a score of 5 or higher or who passed the IB HL exam with a 4 or higher are strongly encouraged to elect the honors introductory sequence (PHYSICS 160, 161, 260, and 261).
It is not necessary to complete all courses in the prerequisite sequences in order to declare the physics major. Students are encouraged to officially declare as soon as they make the decision.
Requirements
Once a student has mastered introductory content and declared the major, they prepare for advanced study of the discipline by fulfilling the Intermediate Courses Requirement (four courses), then move on to master advanced concepts, skills, problems, and topics of the discipline by completing the Advanced Courses Requirement (four courses), Advanced Laboratory Requirement (two courses), and an Advanced Elective Requirement (two courses).
Intermediate Courses Requirement
Students must complete all of the following:
- PHYSICS 340: Waves, Heat, and Light –OR– PHYSICS 360: Honors Physics III
- PHYSICS 351: Methods of Theoretical Physics I
- PHYSICS 390: Introduction to Modern Physics (must be taken concurrently with PHYSICS 391)
- PHYSICS 391: Introduction to Modern Physics Lab (must be taken concurrently with PHYSICS 390)
Ideally, PHYSICS 351 is elected no later than the second semester of the sophomore year. It is an enforced prerequisite for PHYSICS 390 and the Advanced Courses Requirement. PHYSICS 390 and 391 can be elected concurrently with PHYSICS 401 or 405 (part of the Advanced Courses Requirement).
Advanced Courses Requirement
Students must complete all of the following:
- PHYSICS 401: Intermediate Mechanics
- PHYSICS 405: Intermediate Electricity and Magnetism
- PHYSICS 406: Statistical and Thermal Physics
- PHYSICS 453: Quantum Mechanics
Students are encouraged to complete both PHYSICS 401 and 405 before electing PHYSICS 453.
Advanced Laboratory Requirement
Students must complete the following two courses:
- PHYSICS 441: Advanced Laboratory I
- PHYSICS 442: Advanced Laboratory II
Elective Requirement
Students round out their study of physics by taking two of the following elective courses:
- PHYSICS 402: Optics
- PHYSICS 411: Introduction to Computational Physics
- PHYSICS 413 / CMPLXSYS 541: Introduction to Nonlinear Dynamics and the Physics of Complexity
- PHYSICS / BIOPHYS / CHEM 417: Dynamical Processes in Biophysics
- PHYSICS / BIOPHYS 433: Biocomplexity
- PHYSICS 435: Gravitational Physics
- PHYSICS 438: Electromagnetic Radiation
- PHYSICS / BIOPHYS 450: Laboratory Techniques in Biophysics
- PHYSICS 452: Methods of Theoretical Physics II
- PHYSICS 460: Quantum Mechanics II (requires previous completion of PHYSICS 453)
- PHYSICS 463: Introduction to Solid State Physics (requires previous completion of PHYSICS 453)
- PHYSICS / CMPLXSYS 470: Experiments in Nonlinear Dynamics
Constraints
Courses elected as pass/fail may not be included in the major.
Residency
A minimum of 15 credits at the 300 level or above must be completed in residence.
Distribution Policy
No course used to fulfill a major requirement may be used toward the LSA Distribution Requirement. In addition, courses in the PHYSICS subject area may not be used toward the Distribution Requirement.
Honors
Talented and highly motivated students who have an interest in conducting independent research are encouraged to complete an honors major. In addition to the requirements for major, honors majors must complete an additional six PHYSICS credits numbered at the 400 level or above and produce a senior thesis under the supervision of a faculty member. (Note: PHYSICS 415 will not count toward a Physics Honors major).
