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.

Physics Major Requirements

Introductory Physics
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
Foundations of Theoretical Physics
and Lab 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
Intermediate Physics
PHYS 2303Modern Physics4
PHYS 2371
and PHYS 2372
Electronics
and Lab for PHYS 2371
4
Advanced Physics
PHYS 3600Advanced Physics Laboratory4
PHYS 3601Classical Dynamics4
PHYS 3602Electricity and Magnetism 14
PHYS 3603Electricity and Magnetism 24
PHYS 4115Quantum Mechanics4
PHYS 4305Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics4
Elective Course
Complete one of the following:4
Mathematical and Computational Methods for Physics
PHYS 3500 to PHYS 7999
Experiential Learning
Complete one course in experiential learning. See department for approved courses. Note: The experiential learning requirement is waived following a student presentation connected with a co-op and/or research experience. The requirement is often fulfilled by a talk at a Society of Physics Students meeting but can be fulfilled by an adequately documented presentation at a professional meeting or at an appropriate campus event. Contact your faculty advisor for additional information.
Senior Capstone
PHYS 5318Principles of Experimental Physics4

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
Mathematics
MATH 1341Calculus 1 for Science and Engineering4
MATH 1342Calculus 2 for Science and Engineering4
MATH 2321Calculus 3 for Science and Engineering4
MATH 2331Linear Algebra4
MATH 2341Differential Equations and Linear Algebra for Engineering4
MATH 3081Probability and Statistics4
Computational Methods
GE 1111Engineering Problem Solving and Computation4
or PHYS 1211 Computational Problem Solving in Physics
Chemistry
CHEM 1211
and CHEM 1212
General Chemistry 1
and Lab for CHEM 1211
5
Technical Electives
Complete 8 semester hours from the following:8
BIOL 2301 to BIOL 5999
CHEM 2311 to CHEM 5999
CHME 2001 to CHME 4699
CIVE 2001 to CIVE 4699
CS 2990 to CS 4900
EECE 2001 to EECE 5999
ENVR 2300 to ENVR 5999
IE 2001 to IE 4699
Statistics and Software
MATH 2321 to MATH 5999
ME 2001 to ME 4699
PHYS 2303 to PHYS 7999

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.

Physics Major Credit Requirement

Complete 91 semester hours in the major.

Science GPA Requirement (Physics)

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

Astrophysics Concentration (Optional)

Students working toward this concentration must declare it with their advisor for it to be added to their academic record.

Note: Opting to take this concentration may require additional coursework to be completed beyond the total program hours.

Astrophysics Core
PHYS 1111Introduction to Astronomy4
The following courses may be counted toward major electives, if they are listed as applicable options in the approved curriculum.
Complete two of the following:8
Astrophysical Processes: Decoding the Universe
Multimessenger Astrophysics
Principles of Radio Astronomy
Complete one of the following:4
Advanced Astrophysics Topics
General Relativity and Cosmology

Program Requirement

133 total semester hours required