Undergraduate Studies - Physics FAQs: Introductory Physics

No. We point students towards specific courses, based upon the student’s math background (more than AP Physics scores, etc.). If anything, we prefer people to be AHEAD in math rather than in physics…that way they can concentrate on the concepts, rather than volume integrals. Finding the right level (not too hard, not too easy) of intro math and physics gives you the best chance of getting the most out of your courses all the way through!

There are 5 lecture tracks available:

1 - Physics 110 (an overview of Physics for non-science majors) - offered in spring semester only
2 - Physics 170/171 (satisfies med school requirements)
3 - Physics 180/181 (calculus-based, closest to AP Physics)
4 - Physics 200/201 (calculus-based, beyond AP Physics)
5 - Physics 260/261 (calculus & more, significantly beyond AP Physics)

There are 2 lab sequences:

P165/166Lb (goes w/1-3 above), and
P165/166Lb (goes w/1-3 above), and P205/206Lb (goes w/3-5 above).
 

Students should start take the intro physics sequence that matches the level that of their math and physics background, keeping in mind the requirements of their potential major(s).

Most of the Physics majors take Physics 200 (~55%). A slightly smaller number take Physics 260 (~40%). The rest start out in Physics 180, fall in love with physics (it happens!) and then keep going (P181, P300…).

If your math background allows you to take either Math 225 or Math 230 when you first arrive, then you should probably try Physics 260. If you feel Math 120 is a better fit, then you should probably try Physics 200. If Math 115 is right for you, then you should probably start with Physics 180.

It is always possible to start at one level (of either physics or math), and move up (a rare, but possible occurence) or down (more common) during the semester. Math&Phys

No. The lab courses are “stand-alone”, so you can take them either ahead of, along with, or after the lecture course.

For the Physics major, you have until the end of your sophomore year to complete P205 and P206.

No, there is no Chemistry requirement. However, some Physics majors choose to take Chemistry courses, either because of intellectual curiousity or to fufill their requirements for med school. 

Yes, definitely. You should take Math in both semesters of your Freshman year. This will get you nicely “ahead” of the Physics courses, which you will start to take in your Sophomore year. Math&Phys

A student’s math background seems to be the best indicator of the “optimal” intro physics track for prospective majors. In this case, you should select the Math course (and matching Physics) that is the best match for your high school Math preparation.

If you find yourself on the fence, then you should pro-actively investigate the various options (comparing the texts, the syllabi, the problem sets, and the lectures). Be honest in your self-assessment… finding the right level (not too hard, and not too easy) will help you to get the most out of your courses all the way through. Math&Phys

Physics 170/171
Physics 170/171 is an introductory physics course for students with little or no preparation in calculus or physics. Those with such preparation are advised to enroll in Physics 180 or 200. It is not, however, a “physics appreciation” course; it is a physics participation course with problem solving being a very important component. While the material covered is the same as in the higher level courses, no calculus preparation is assumed and vector algebra beyond component resolution is kept to a minimum. The population of the course consists mainly of pre-medical and biological science students. Most take the laboratory course Physics 165/166 concurrently. Physics 170/171 in conjunction with a laboratory course satisfies pre-med requirements. Physics 110 does not.

Physics 180/181
Most students in Physics 180 are current or prospective biology, chemistry, MB&B majors taking the course to satisfy prerequisites for courses such as Neurobiology, to satisfy major requirements (note that Physics 170/171 is not acceptable for the MB&B major), and as part of premedical requirements and preparation for the MCATs. Others include engineering majors and social science and humanities majors who have a special interest in physics. Some students, who are thinking about majoring in physics or applied physics, should take Physics 180 if their preparation is not strong enough to start with Physics 200. Physics 200 is oriented more towards prospective physics majors and towards students who are interested in a more mathematical approach to the topics of classical physics. Another difference is that 180-181 covers the same topics in two semesters that the sequence 200, 201 and 300 covers in three. Naturally, 180-181 is more”superficial” but this allows a wider range of subjects to be included.Typical preparation consists of a good high school physics course and prior knowledge of calculus on the level of Math 115, though the backgrounds of students in the class range from no prior physics and Math 115 taken concurrently to a strong A.P. physics course and Math 120 taken in a previous semester. If you’ve not had Math 115, you should be taking it concurrently. About 80% of the students in Physics 180 take Physics 165/166, the 2 semester lab course designed to accompany this course. If you’re a prospective physics major, you will take Physics 300 after Physics 180 and then you should also take Physics 205/206 lab instead of Physics 165/166. One scheduling difference between the 2 lab sequences is that P205 is offered both spring and fall (and P206 too) whereas P165 is only offered in the fall and P166 only in the spring.

Physics 200/201
Most of the students in Physics 200/201 are either physical science majors (Physics, Astronomy, Geology, Engineering, etc.) or those biological science majors and premeds who are looking for a more mathematical and somewhat deeper introduction to physics than is provided in Physics 170/171 and Physics 180/181. Physics 200 assumes that students have completed calculus at the level of Math 115 and are currently enrolled in Math 120. Previous exposure to physics is helpful, but is not required. Physics 200a/201b students wishing to take a related lab course will typically enroll in Physics 205Lb (beginning in the Spring term) and then Physics 206La in the following Fall. This is the recommended sequence. Students may also enroll in Physics 165La/166Lb. Students with very strong preparation in Physics, AND currently enrolled in Math 230, may also want to consider taking the more intense/advanced Physics 260 sequence. Enrollment in the P260 course requires the permission of the instructor.