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Undergraduate Record 2024-2025
Physics, B.S.
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 Return to: College of Arts & Sciences: Degree Programs
The Department of Physics offers both Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degrees. In addition, there is an Astronomy/Physics B.S. offered jointly by the Astronomy and Physics departments. The Physics B.A. is designed for students interested in physics and planning to enter other fields including engineering, medicine, education, business, and law, and for liberal arts students seeking a strong background in physics. Students planning graduate study in physics or physics-related areas should elect the B.S. or the Astronomy/Physics B.S.
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Universal Curriculum Requirements
To be awarded a degree from the College of Arts and Sciences, students are required to complete universal curriculum requirements in addition to the program requirements provided below. The school universal curriculum requirements can be found on the school Degree Programs page .
Program Requirements
All required courses must be passed with a minimum grade of C. The Schools imposes other requirements for graduation; e.g. students in the College of Arts and Sciences need to earn a certain number of credits, and, if not Echols scholars, must fulfill General Education requirements.
There are three groups of courses that are needed for the B.S. degree:
Group 1: - MATH 2310 - Calculus III Credits: 4
AND - PHYS 1420 - Introductory Physics 1: Classical Mechanics, Waves, and Thermodynamics Credits: 3
- PHYS 1429 - Introductory Physics 1 Workshop Credits: 1
- PHYS 2410 - Introductory Physics 2: Electricity, Magnetism and Optics Credits: 3
- PHYS 2419 - Introductory Physics 2 Workshop Credits: 1
Group 2: - MATH 3250 - Ordinary Differential Equations Credits: 4
- PHYS 2620 - Modern Physics Credits: 4
- PHYS 2720 - Problem Solving and Special Topics in Classical Physics Credits: 2
AND - PHYS 1655 - Introduction to Python for Scientists and Engineers Credits: 3
OR - PHYS 3630 - Computational Physics Credits: 3
Group 3: - MATH 4210 - Mathematics for Physics Credits: 3
OR - PHYS 3340 - Mathematics for Physics Credits: 3
- MATH 4220 - Partial Differential Equations and Applied Mathematics Credits: 3
AND - PHYS 3140 - Intermediate Laboratory Credits: 4
- PHYS 3170 - Advanced Laboratory A Credits: 3
OR - PHYS 3180 - Advanced Laboratory B Credits: 3
- PHYS 3210 - Classical Mechanics Credits: 3
- PHYS 3310 - Statistical Physics Credits: 3
- PHYS 3420 - Electricity and Magnetism I Credits: 3
- PHYS 3430 - Electricity and Magnetism II Credits: 3
- PHYS 3650 - Quantum Physics I Credits: 3
- PHYS 3660 - Quantum Physics II Credits: 3
- One 3000-5000 level Physics elective.
The classification of the courses into components reflects the order in which classes are taken. Physics courses are more sequential than courses in some other majors. Course descriptions in SIS, or at the department webpage, list other courses that are expected to be taken earlier, or concurrently.
Students can substitute APMA 2120 (Multivariable Calculus) for MATH 2310 (Calculus III), APMA 2130 (Applied Differential Equations) for MATH 3250 (Ordinary Differential Equations), APMA 3140 (Applied Partial Differential Equations) for MATH 4220 (Partial Differential Equations), PHYS 1425 (Introductory Physics 1 for Engineers) for PHYS 1420 (Introductory Physics 1), and PHYS 2415 (Introductory Physics 2 for Engineers) for PHYS 2410 (Introductory Physics 2).
Concentrations
Three special concentrations can be pursued by students in either the Physics B.A. or the Physics B.S. programs:
Computational Physics Concentration
- PHYS 5630, 5640 Computational Physics I, II
Optics Concentration
- PHYS 5310 Optics and PHYS 5320 Fundamentals of Photonics
Experimental Physics Concentration
Distinguished Majors Program
The Distinguished Major Program provides recognition of outstanding academic performance in a challenging sequence of Physics courses including a research project. Students who complete the B.S. requirements with final grade point averages exceeding 3.4, 3.6, or 3.8, are given departmental recommendation to receive their degrees with distinction, high distinction, or highest distinction, respectively.
Requirements B.S. in Astronomy-Physics
This is an interdepartmental major administered jointly with the Astronomy Department. This major prepares a student for graduate study in either astronomy or physics or related fields. Students in this major have advisors both from Astronomy and Physics.
Students must take the following courses:
Distinguished Astronomy-Physics Major Program
Students must maintain a GPA of 3.400 or better.
For the Distinguished Majors Program (DMP),
- Students must meet the requirements of the astronomy-physics major described above,
- Must complete either PHYS 3660 or any PHYS course at the 5000-level,
- Complete a two-semester Senior Thesis (ASTR 4998),
- Complete at least two ASTR courses at the 4000 - 5000-level (excluding ASTR 4993 and 4998) as part of the six credits of elective astronomy courses.
This program leads to the award of degrees with distinction, high distinction, or highest distinction
Additional Information
For more information, contact Physics Department, Jesse W. Beams Laboratory of Physics, P.O. Box 400714, Charlottesville, VA 22904-4714, (434) 924-3781; www.phys.virginia.edu.
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