Requires at least 38 hours in physics and must include the following courses:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Major Courses | ||
| PHY 123 | General Physics I - Studio Format | 4 |
| or PHY 113 | General Physics I | |
| or PHY 111 | Mechanics Waves and Heat | |
| PHY 124 | General Physics II - Studio Format | 4 |
| or PHY 114 | General Physics II | |
| PHY 215 | Elementary Modern Physics | 3 |
| PHY 230 | Electronics | 3 |
| PHY 262 | Mechanics | 3 |
| PHY 265 | Intermediate Laboratory I | 1 |
| PHY 266 | Intermediate Laboratory II | 1 |
| PHY 301 | Physics Seminar (at least twice) | 1 |
| PHY 337 | Analytical Mechanics | 1.5 |
| PHY 339 | Electricity and Magnetism | 1.5 |
| PHY 340 | Electricity and Magnetism | 3 |
| PHY 341 | Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics * | 3 |
| PHY 343 | Quantum Physics | 3 |
| PHY 344 | Quantum Physics | 3 |
| Three more hours of Physics are required which can be satisfied with any other 300-level course in the department except PHY 381. | 3 | |
| Co-Requirements | ||
| MTH 113 | Multivariable Calculus | 4 |
| MTH 205 | Introduction to Linear Algebra and Differential Equations | 4 |
| or MTH 121 & MTH 251 | Linear Algebra I and Ordinary Differential Equations | |
| One additional course at the 200 level or above in statistics, mathematics, or computer science other than independent study courses is required | 3-4 | |
Students are advised to complete math requirements as early as possible. Students are strongly encouraged to take either CSC 102 or CSC 111; early in their curriculum if possible. CSC 111 would be appropriate for majors who are interested in further study in computer science, such as through a double major or minor in Computer Science. Otherwise, we encourage our majors to take CSC 102.
No student may be a candidate for a degree with a major in physics with a grade less than C in General Physics without special permission of the department. Students must achieve a minimum GPA of 2.0 in physics courses for graduation. In addition, all major students must complete a senior survey and participate in a senior focus group held during their senior year
Physics Concentrations
Students who wish to focus their coursework in a specific subarea of physics may pursue a Physics Concentration. Pursuit of a Physics Concentration does not change the degree, which may be a Bachelor of Arts in Physics, a Bachelor of Science in Physics, or a Bachelor of Science in Biophysics. A concentration requires 3 courses, although some of the courses selected may have additional prerequisite courses. These courses may also count towards the requirements for their BA or BS degree. A course, however, can only be counted toward one concentration. A minimum overall GPA of 2.0 must be earned on all Wake Forest courses taken to complete the concentration. The requirements for the concentration are those that are in effect at the time of the declaration of the concentration.
Quantum Information Sciences Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PHY 343 | Quantum Physics | 3 |
| Select two of the following options: | ||
| Introduction to Quantum Computing | ||
| Physical Optics and Optical Design | ||
| Introduction to Solid State Physics | ||
Computational Physics
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CSC 102 | Problem Solving with Python * | 3 |
| Select two of the following options: | ||
| Physics of Biological Macromolecules | ||
| Computational Physics | ||
| Introduction to Quantum Computing | ||
Highly qualified majors are invited by the department to apply for admission to the honors program in physics through the major advisor. To be graduated with the designation “Honors in Physics,” students must:
- pass PHY 381
- write a paper on the results of the research in that course
- pass an oral exam on the research and related topics given by a committee of three physics faculty members
- obtain a GPA of at least 3.3 in physics and 3.0 overall