Complete all courses listed below unless otherwise indicated. Also complete any corequisite labs, recitations, clinicals, or tools courses where specified and complete any additional courses needed beyond specific college and major requirements to satisfy graduation credit requirements.

Universitywide Requirements

All undergraduate students are required to complete the Universitywide Requirements.

NUpath Requirements

All undergraduate students are required to complete the NUpath Requirements.

Mathematics Requirements

Calculus
A grade of C or higher is required:
MATH 1341Calculus 1 for Science and Engineering4
MATH 1342Calculus 2 for Science and Engineering4
MATH 2321Calculus 3 for Science and Engineering4
Intermediate and Advanced Math
MATH 2331Linear Algebra4
MATH 2341Differential Equations and Linear Algebra for Engineering4
MATH 3081Probability and Statistics4
MATH 3175Group Theory4
Co-op Reflections
MATH 3000Co-op and Experiential Learning Reflection Seminar 11
Mathematics Elective
Complete two courses in the following range: 8
MATH 3101 to MATH 4899
Quantum Mechanics

Physics Requirements

Physics 1
Complete one of the following:5
Physics for Engineering 1
and Lab for PHYS 1151
and Interactive Learning Seminar for PHYS 1151
Physics 1
and Lab for PHYS 1161
and Recitation for PHYS 1161
Foundations of Theoretical Physics
and Lab for PHYS 1191
and Recitation for PHYS 1191
Physics 2
Complete one of the following:5
Physics for Engineering 2
and Lab for PHYS 1155
and Interactive Learning Seminar for PHYS 1155
Physics 2
and Lab for PHYS 1165
and Recitation for PHYS 1165
Intermediate Physics
PHYS 2303Modern Physics4
PHYS 2371
and PHYS 2372
Electronics
and Lab for PHYS 2371
4
Advanced Physics
PHYS 3600Advanced Physics Laboratory4
PHYS 3602Electricity and Magnetism 14
PHYS 4305Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics4
Elective Courses
Complete two courses in the following range:8
PHYS 3000 to PHYS 7999

Additional Requirements

Capstone Requirement
Complete one of the following:4
Research Capstone
Applied Mathematics Capstone
Introduction to Mathematical Methods and Modeling

Integrative Courses

MATH 4545Fourier Series and PDEs4
PHYS 3601Classical Dynamics4

Supporting Courses

Introduction to College
INSC 1000Science at Northeastern1
Experiential Learning Introduction
EESC 2000Professional Development for Co-op1
Writing Requirements
ENGW 1111First-Year Writing4
or ENGW 1102 First-Year Writing for Multilingual Writers
ENGW 3307Advanced Writing in the Sciences4
or ENGW 3315 Interdisciplinary Advanced Writing in the Disciplines

NUPath Requirements

The following NUPath Requirements are met by the major:

  • Analyzing and Using Data (AD)
  • Conducting Formal and Quantitative Reasoning (FQ)
  • Demonstrating Thought and Action in a Capstone  (CE)
  • Engaging with the Natural and Designed World (ND)
  • Exploring Creative Expression and Innovation (EI)

Other NUPath requirements may be fulfilled by electives in the program.

Combined Major Credit Requirement

Complete 87 semester hours in the major.

Science GPA Requirement

A minimum 2.000 GPA in the following course codes is required: MATH, PHYS.

Program Requirement

128 total semester hours required

Notes on Physics Courses in Sample Plans of Study

Some required physics courses are offered in both fall and spring semesters, while other required courses are offered less frequently. Therefore, the suggested plan of study will vary from student to student, depending on the year of entry for that student. 

Please contact your academic advisor for additional information and plans of study.

Four Years, Two Co-ops in Spring/Summer First Half

Year 1
FallHoursSpringHoursSummer 1HoursSummer 2Hours
MATH 13414MATH 13424MATH 23214MATH 23314
ENGW 11114PHYS 11654MATH 23414MATH 30814
Elective4PHYS 11661  
PHYS 11614Elective4  
PHYS 11621Elective4  
MATH 10001   
 18 17 8 8
Year 2
FallHoursSpringHoursSummer 1HoursSummer 2Hours
Elective4Co-op0Co-op0PHYS 36004
PHYS 23034  Physics UG Elective4
Elective4   
PHYS 23713   
PHYS 23721   
EESC 20001   
 17 0 0 8
Year 3
FallHoursSpringHoursSummer 1HoursSummer 2Hours
PHYS 36014Co-op0Co-op0Elective4
MATH 30001  Elective4
Elective4   
Math Elective4   
MATH 31754   
 17 0 0 8
Year 4
FallHoursSpringHours  
PHYS 36024MATH elective4  
PHYS 43054PHYS undergraduate elective4  
Elective4ENGW 33154  
MATH 45454MATH 40254  
 16 16  
Total Hours: 133

Five Years, Three Co-ops in Summer Second Half/Fall

Year 1
FallHoursSpringHoursSummer 1HoursSummer 2Hours
MATH 13414MATH 13424VacationVacation
ENGW 11114PHYS 11654  
Elective4PHYS 11661  
PHYS 11614Elective4  
PHYS 11621Elective4  
MATH 10001   
 18 17 0 0
Year 2
FallHoursSpringHoursSummer 1HoursSummer 2Hours
MATH 23214MATH 23414VacationCo-op0
Elective4MATH 23314  
PHYS 23034Elective4  
PHYS 23713EESC 20001  
PHYS 23721PHYS 36014  
 16 17 0 0
Year 3
FallHoursSpringHoursSummer 1HoursSummer 2Hours
Co-op0PHYS 36024PHYS 36004Co-op0
 PHYS 43054MATH 30814 
 MATH 30001  
 MATH elective4  
 Elective4  
 0 17 8 0
Year 4
FallHoursSpringHoursSummer 1HoursSummer 2Hours
Co-op0MATH 31754Elective4Co-op0
 MATH elective4Elective4 
 PHYS undergraduate elective4  
 ENGW 33154  
 0 16 8 0
Year 5
FallHoursSpringHours  
Co-op0PHYS undergraduate elective4  
 PHYS undergraduate elective4  
 MATH 40254  
 MATH 45454  
 0 16  
Total Hours: 133

Physics Course Offering Schedule

PHYS 2303 offered every fall, spring, and summer second half

PHYS 2371/PHYS 2372 offered every fall

PHYS 3600 offered every summer first half and summer second half

PHYS 3601 offered every fall and spring

PHYS 3602 offered every fall and spring

PHYS 3603 offered fall, spring all years, and summer first half (odd years)

PHYS 4115 offered every fall and spring

PHYS 4305 offered fall, spring all years, and summer second half (even years)

PHYS 4621 offered fall (even years) and spring (odd years)

PHYS 4623 offered fall (even years) and summer first half (even years)

PHYS 4651 offered fall (odd years) and spring (odd years)

PHYS 4652 offered every spring

PHYS 5318 offered every spring