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Frequently Asked Questions: Physics

In your first two years, you will take courses covering Mechanics, Kinematics and Conservation Laws, Electricity and Magnetism, Waves and Oscillations , and Modern Physics. You will also take two semesters of general chemistry, English composition, three semesters of calculus, and three semesters of foreign language courses or equal cultural competency. Later in the curriculum, you will also be required to take:

  • Additional Physics courses
  • General education electives
  • Great issues and multidisciplinary courses
  • Statistics and computer science courses

Typical First-Year Coursework

Semester one:

PHYS 17200 (H), Mechanics, 4 credit hours

CHM 11500, General Chemistry I, 4 credit hours

MA 16100 or 16500, Calculus I and Analytical Geometry, 4-5 credit hours

ENGL 10600, English Composition, 4 credit hours

Total: 16 to 17 credit hours

 

Semester two:

PHYS 27200 (H), Electricity and Magnetism, 4 credit hours

CHM 11600, General Chemistry II, 4 credit hours

MA 16200 or 16600, Calculus II and Analytical Geometry, 4-5 credit hours

Foreign Language, 3-4 credit hours

Total: 15 to 17 credit hours

* Students must earn a minimum of 120 credit hours to graduate, which is an average of 15 credit hours / per semester.

Contact:
By phone: 765.494.1771 or 800.804.8061
College of Science: www.science.purdue.edu
 Department of Physics: www.physics.purdue.edu

Purdue University College of Science, 150 N. University St, West Lafayette, IN 47907 • Phone: (765) 494-1729, Fax: (765) 494-1736

Student Advising Office: (765) 494-1771, Fax: (765) 496-3015 • Science IT, (765) 494-4488

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