General Advice
If you are thinking of majoring in physics it is important to take Physics I and II as well as Calculus I and II in your first year. This permits you to satisfy all the requirements of the major and benefit from the full range of advanced physics electives in your junior and senior years. Even if you decide to major in another science subject these courses will likely serve you well. It is possible to major in physics beginning in your second year but more difficult and your choice of electives will be limited. For further advice, please see the physics undergraduate advisor.
Courses for Physics Majors for the Bachelor of Arts program
The typical course sequence for physics major begins in a students' first year at NYU:
Year 1:
Fall Semester:
MATH-UA 121 Calculus I
PHYS-UA 91 Physics I
PHYS-UA 71 Introductory Experimental Physics I
Spring Semester:
MATH-UA 122 Calculus II
PHYS-UA 93 Physics II
PHYS-UA 72 Introductory Experimental Physics II
Year 2:
Fall Semester:
MATH-UA 123 Calculus III
PHYS-UA 95 Physics III
PHYS-UA 73 Intermediate Experimental Physics I
Spring Semester:
PHYS-UA 106 Mathematical Physics
PHYS-UA 120 Dynamics
PHYS-UA 74 Intermediate Experimental Physics II
Year 3:
Fall Semester:
PHYS-UA 131 Electricity and Magnetism I
PHYS-UA 123 Quantum Mechanics I
Spring Semester:
PHYS-UA 112 Advanced Experimental Physics — or Year 4 (Fall or Spring)
PHYS-UA 140 Thermal and Statistical Physics
Year 4:
Fall Semester:
(Elective*)
(Elective*)
Spring Semester:
(Elective*)
(Elective*)
*The following are the elective courses and prerequisites. Note that these courses are offered in either the Fall or Spring semester--not both--and some of the courses are not offered every year. Additional electives may be available that are not listed. Mr. Bill LePage (wlp1@nyu.edu) in the Physics Department has up-to-date information on elective course offerings:
- PHYS-UA 110 Electronics for Scientists (fall semester) Prerequisite Physics II
- PHYS-UA 115 Advanced Mathematical Physics (fall semester) Prerequisites Physics III and Mathematical Physics
- PHYS-UA 124 Quantum Mechanics II (spring semester) Prerequisite Quantum Mechanics I
- PHYS-UA 133 Optics Prerequisites Physics III and Mathematical Physics
- PHYS-UA 136 Readings in Particle Physics (every other year)
- PHYS-UA 150 Astrophysics (every other year) Prerequisite Physics III or General Physics II
- PHYS-UA 210 Computational Physics (fall semester) Prerequisites Physics III and Mathematical Physics
- PHYS-UA 132 Electricity and Magnetism (spring semester) Prerequisite Electricity & Magnetism I
- PHYS-UA 135 Condensed Matter Physics (every other year) Prerequisite Mathematical Physics
- PHYS-UA 138 Quantum Information and Quantum Computing (every other year) Prerequisite Quantum Mechanics I
- PHYS-UA 160 Physics of Biology (every other year) Prerequisite Physics III
- PHYS-UA 170 General Relativity (spring semetser) Prerequisite Dynamics
- PHYS-UA 180 Introduction to Fluid Dynamics (every year alternating with math department) Prerequisite Calculus III; Mathematical Physics is recommended
- PHYS-UA 190 Philosophy of Physics
- PHYS-UA 800 Special Topics in Physics (offered occasionally)
Courses for Physics Majors for the Bachelor of Science Program
The typical course sequence for physics major in the BS program begins in a students' first year at NYU:
Year 1:
Fall Semester:
MATH-UA 121 Calculus I
PHYS-UA 91 Physics I
PHYS-UA 71 Introductory Experimental Physics I
(B.S. Elective*)
Spring Semester:
MATH-UA 122 Calculus II
PHYS-UA 93 Physics II
PHYS-UA 72 Introductory Experimental Physics II
(B.S. Elective*)
Year 2:
Fall Semester:
MATH-UA 123 Calculus III
PHYS-UA 95 Physics III
PHYS-UA 73 Intermediate Experimental Physics I
(B.S. Elective*)
Spring Semester:
PHYS-UA 106 Mathematical Physics
PHYS-UA 120 Dynamics
PHYS-UA 74 Intermediate Experimental Physics II
(B.S. Elective*)
Year 3:
Fall Semester:
PHYS-UA 131 Electricity and Magnetism I
PHYS-UA 123 Quantum Mechanics I
(B.S. Elective*)
Spring Semester:
PHYS-UA 112 Advanced Experimental Physics — or Year 4 (Fall or Spring)
Year 4:
Fall Semester:
(Elective*)
Spring Semester:
PHYS-UA 140 Thermal and Statistical Physics (can also be taken in Year 3)
*The following are the elective courses and prerequisites. For the Bachelor of Science a minimum requirement is the 4 electives listed below under B.S. Electives. You may substitute more advanced courses in Computer Science, Chemistry and Biology for the B.S. electives listed. Note that these courses are offered in either the Fall OR Spring semester--not both--and some of the Physics courses are not offered every year. Additional electives may be available that are not listed. Mr. Bill LePage (wlp1@nyu.edu) in the Physics Department has up-to-date information on elective course offerings:
(see electives for the B.A. Program)
Electives required for the B. S. degree:
- PHYS-UA 210 Computational Physics (Fall Semester) Prerequisites Physics III, Mathematical Physics
- CHEM-UA 125 General Chemistry I (Fall Semester)
- CHEM-UA 126 General Chemistry II (Spring Semester)
- BIOL-UA 11 Principles of Biology (Fall Semester) or a course in Chemistry above the level of General Chemistry II, CHEM-UA 126
Courses for Physics Majors for the dual degree program
General Information: A major in Physics can be combined with the following Engineering Majors:
- Civil Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
The typical course sequence for physics major in the dual degree program begins in a students' first year at NYU:
Year 1:
Fall Semester:
MATH-UA 121 Calculus I
PHYS-UA 91 Physics I
PHYS-UA 71 Introductory Experimental Physics I
Spring Semester:
MATH-UA 122 Calculus II
PHYS-UA 93 Physics II
PHYS-UA 72 Introductory Experimental Physics II
Year 2:
Fall Semester:
MATH-UA 123 Calculus III
PHYS-UA 95 Physics III
PHYS-UA 73 Intermediate Experimental Physics I
Spring Semester:
PHYS-UA 106 Mathematical Physics
PHYS-UA 120 Dynamics
PHYS-UA 74 Intermediate Experimental Physics II
Year 3:
Fall Semester:
PHYS-UA 131 Electricity and Magnetism I
PHYS-UA 123 Quantum Mechanics I
Spring Semester:
PHYS-UA 112 Advanced Experimental Physics
PHYS-UA 140 Thermal & Statistical Physics
Year 4:
Fall Semester
(Elective*)
Spring Semester:
(Elective*)
*The following are the elective courses and prerequisites. Students in the dual degree program are required to take ONE of the following elective courses. Note that these courses are offered in either the Fall OR Spring semester--not both--and some of the courses are not offered every year. Additional electives may be available that are not listed. Mr. Bill LePage (wlp1@nyu.edu) in the Physics Department has up-to-date information on elective course offerings:
(see electives for the B.A. Program)
Minor in Physics or Astronomy
Minor in Physics
Provides the student with a general survey of the field plus specialized study. Consists of four of the following courses, or three of the following courses plus one of the courses listed under the minor in astronomy: Sound and Music PHYS-UA 10, General Physics I PHYS-UA 11 and General Physics II PHYS-UA 12, 20th Century Concepts of Space, Time and Matter PHYS-UA 20, and all courses numbered above and including PHYS-UA 91 (Physics I) except for PHYS-UA 72 (Introductory Experimental Physics II) and PHYS-UA 73 (Intermediate Experimental Physics I).
Minor in Astronomy
Provides a comprehensive introduction to astronomy, including modern concepts, historical ideas, and observational experience. Consists of four courses: The Universe: Its Nature and History PHYS-UA 07, and the three following (or two of the following, and one of the courses listed under the minor in physics): Observational Astronomy PHYS-UA 13, Introduction to Cosmology PHYS-UA 15, and Astrophysics PHYS-UA 150.
Research
The department and NYU strongly encourage undergraduates to conduct research with faculty. The are many opportunities and possible areas of inquiry, including astrophysics, atomic and optical physics, condensed matter physics, high energy physics and non-linear dynamics. The first step is finding out about possible research subjects and projects:
- Talk with your faculty advisor in the department.
- Check out research on our website.
- Find out about projects that other students have worked on.
- Speak to your course instructors outside the classroom about research.
NYU also has an annual research conference (usually in April) in which undergraduates participate and present the results of their research. This is a wonderful event and a great way to find out more about undergraduate research at NYU. There are also some grants.