First-year students interested in majoring in physics should start with Physics 107 in the fall of their first year. Next they should take Physics 110 in the spring of their first year. In addition, students should have completed at least Calculus I (MATH 110 or 114) and Calculus II (MATH 120 or 128) by the end of their first year. Students who come to the college with a more advanced background in physics should consult the department’s Course Exemption page. Physics majors typically begin taking courses at the intermediate level in their sophomore year, and start taking 300-level courses in their junior year.
Placement Information
No placement exam is required in order to take the introductory-level physics courses. Students who received a 5 on the AP Mechanics C exam or who have previously taken college-level physics courses should see the department Course Exemption page for more information.
Most students who are interested in majoring in Physics should take the Calculus Placement Assessment (ALEKS) during the summer prior to their first year. You do not need to take the Calculus Placement Assessment if you any of the following are true:
- You received a score of 4 or 5 on either the AP Calculus AB or BC exam;
- You receive an IB Calculus HL score of 5 or above;
- You have already taken a Calculus 1 course at another accredited college or university.
Sample 4-Year Plans
Typical path through the Physics major
Curricular Notes:
- To complete Core by the end of the sophomore year, students will need to double dip at least one course.
- MATH 212 and MATH 214 can be taken in any order.
- The Upper Level Physics requirement can be any 4 courses from the 200 or 300 series, or 320, 330, 340, 350, 370, or an additional 2 units of 315/316+ 2 additional units of 200- or 300-level physics, including 2 units of 395.
- The Breadth Requirement can be another Upper Level Physics requirement or 4 units of any 300-level class in Chemistry, Computer Science, Education, Geology, or Mathematics, not including Junior or Senior seminars
Physics Transfer Student Advice
Transfer Course Limit for Transfer Students: No Limit
Designated Transfer Adviser
Expected preparation for transfer students wanting to major in Physics:
(Note that equivalent coursework taken elsewhere, as determined by the department chair, is sufficient)
- Junior transfer students
- Should have completed PHYS 110 (Mechanics) and PHYS 230 (Electricity and Magnetism). All with in-person labs. PHYS 107 (Waves) and PHYS 240 (Foundation of Modern Physics) both with an in-person lab are also recommended to have been completed, but can also be taken in Junior or Senior year. Should also have completed Calculus I, Calculus II, MATH 214 (Linear Algebra), and MATH 212 (Multivariable Calculus)
- Should have completed most of their Core requirements prior to transferring. It will be possible to get at most one or two more core requirements while at Occidental.
- Transfer students starting midway through their sophomore year:
- PHYS110 (Mechanics) and PHYS 230 (Electricity and Magnetism). All with in-person labs. Should also have completed Calculus I, Calculus II, MATH 214 (Linear Algebra), and MATH 212 (Multivariable Calculus)
- Should have completed as many of their Core requirements as possible prior to transferring with the expectation that all will be complete by the end of their first semester.
- Sophomore transfer students
- PHYS 110 (Mechanics) with an in-person lab. Should also have completed Calculus I and Calculus II
- Should have completed as many of their Core requirements as possible prior to transferring.
General advice for transfer students wanting to major Physics:
What courses should a transfer student take during their first semester at Occidental?
- Junior transfers should take PHYS 310 (Math Methods) and PHYS 320 (Analytical Dynamics)
- Transfer students starting midway through their sophomore year should take PHYS 240 (Foundation of Modern Physics) and PHYS 250 (Thermal and Statistical Physics), and should take any remaining Core requirements in order to complete all of their Core requirements by the end of their first semester at Occidental
- Sophomore students should take PHYS 230 (Electricity and Magnetism) and should enroll in Core requirements with a plan to complete them during their first two semesters at Occidental.
Late Starts
While we strongly encourage our physics majors to take Physics 107 in the fall of year 1, the physics major can be successfully completed even if started later.
Below are a few possible scenarios for late starts, but there are other pathways, depending on your math background. Please consult with a member of our physics faculty for more options.
Spring Start, year 1
|
| Year | Fall | Spring |
| 1 | Calculus I | Physics 110,
Calculus II |
| 2 | Physics 230,
Physics 107,
Math 212/214 | Physics 240,
Physics 250,
Math 212/214 |
| 3 | ... | ... |
| 4 | ... | ... |
| Fall Start, year 2 |
| Year | Fall | Spring |
| 1 | ... | Calculus I |
| 2 | Physics 115,
Calculus II | Physics 125,
Math 214 |
| 3 | Physics 310,
Physics 107,
Math 212 | Physics 240,
Physics 250
|
| 4 | ... | ...
|