Course Planning

Chemical Physics Major - Planning

Course planning advice here is limited to majors. For a full description of degree requirements, please see this overview of the Academic Program and refer to the Catalog for details and official rules. Any discrepancy between the Course Planning Pages and the Catalog will be resolved in favor of the Catalog.

Possible Degree Path – starting in the first year with physics.  The following is a typical major plan for this 14 course major.  This is not the only way forward.  Please consult with your advisor to create your unique path. 

 

Fall Semester

Spring Semester

First Year

Physics I Workshop (PHYS 235)

Calculus I (MATH 130)

Physics II Workshop (PHYS 245)

Calculus II (MATH 140)

Sophomore

General Chemistry I (CHEM 110)

Vibrations & Waves (PHYS 305)

Differential Equations (MATH 260)

General Chemistry II (CHEM 120)

Junior

Organic Chemistry I (CHEM 240)

Quantum Mechanics (PHYS 430) or possible major elective

1-2 major electives

Senior

Physical Chemistry I (CHEM 310)

Quantum Mechanics (PHYS 430) or possible major elective

1-2 major electives

       Many upper-level Chemistry and Physics courses, including Quantum Mechanics are offered every other year. Please plan accordingly

       If you have AP credit for Calculus I, then you could enroll in Calculus II in the fall rather than the spring. If you have AP credit for General Chemistry I, you could then enroll in General Chemistry II in the spring rather than waiting for the sophomore year.

 

Possible Degree Path starting in the first year with chemistry. The following is a typical major plan for this 14 course major. This is not the only way forward. Please consult with your advisor to create your unique path.

 

Fall Semester

Spring Semester

First Year

General Chemistry I (CHEM 110)

Calculus I (MATH 130)

General Chemistry II (CHEM 120)

Calculus II (MATH 140)

Sophomore

Physics I Workshop (PHYS 235)

Organic Chemistry I (CHEM 240)

Differential Equations (MATH 260)

Physics II Workshop (PHYS 245)

 

Junior

Physical Chemistry I (CHEM 310)

Vibrations & Waves (PHYS 305)

Quantum Mechanics (PHYS 430) or possible major elective

1-2 major electives

Senior

Quantum Mechanics (PHYS 430) or possible major elective

1-2 major electives

       Many upper-level Chemistry and Physics courses, including Quantum Mechanics are offered every other year. Please plan accordingly

       If you have AP credit for Calculus I, then you could enroll in Calculus II in the fall rather than the spring.

 
 Three-Year Plan

 

Fall Semester

Spring Semester

First Year

 

 

Sophomore

General Chemistry I (CHEM 110)

Physics I Workshop (PHYS 235)

Calculus I (MATH 130)

General Chemistry II (CHEM 120)

Physics II Workshop (PHYS 245)

Calculus II (MATH 140)

Junior

Organic Chemistry I (CHEM 240)

Vibrations & Waves (PHYS 305)

Differential Equations (MATH 260)

Quantum Mechanics (PHYS 430) or possible major elective

1-2 major electives

Senior

Physical Chemistry I (CHEM 310)

Quantum Mechanics (PHYS 430) or possible major elective

1-2 major electives

       Many upper-level Chemistry and Physics courses, including Quantum Mechanics are offered every other year. Please plan accordingly

       If you have AP credit for Calculus I, then you could enroll in Calculus II in the fall rather than the spring.