What follows are some common plans of study for the physics major at Davidson College. Four plans are given as a guide (two typical plans, a plan for semester abroad, and a plan for starting the major in the sophomore year). These four plans are not the only ones possible because there is a lot of flexibility in when you might take certain courses [for example, your elective or PHY 200 (computational physics)]. We strongly recommend that you talk to the Chair of the department as soon as possible if you are considering majoring in physics.
Plan of Study A (which frees up senior year for independent research)
| year 1 | year 2 | ||
| fall | spring | fall | spring |
| PHY 130/120 | PHY 230/220 | PHY 320 | PHY 200 |
| PHY 201 | |||
| year 3 | year 4 | ||
| fall | spring | fall | spring |
| PHY 310 | PHY 335 | PHY 360 | elective |
| PHY 330 | PHY 350 |
Plan of Study B (which more evenly distributes courses in junior and senior years)
| year 1 | year 2 | ||
| fall | spring | fall | spring |
| PHY 130/120 | PHY 230/220 | PHY 320 | PHY 200 |
| PHY 201 | |||
| year 3 | year 4 | ||
| fall | spring | fall | spring |
| PHY 330 | PHY 335 | PHY 310 | elective |
| PHY 350 | PHY 360 |
Plan of Study with spring semester abroad (junior year)
| year 1 | year 2 | ||
| fall | spring | fall | spring |
| PHY 130/120 | PHY 230/220 | PHY 320 | PHY 200 |
| PHY 201 | |||
| year 3 | year 4 | ||
| fall | spring | fall | spring |
| PHY 310 | PHY 360 | PHY 335 | |
| PHY 330 | elective | PHY 350 |
Note: going abroad for the entire
junior year is possible
but requires advanced planning, please contact the department chair for details.
Plan of Study for starting the major during the sophomore year
| year 1 | year 2 | ||
| fall | spring | fall | spring |
| PHY 130/120 | PHY 230/220 | ||
| PHY 201 | |||
| year 3 | year 4 | ||
| fall | spring | fall | spring |
| PHY 320 | PHY 200 | PHY 310 | PHY 335 |
| PHY 330 | PHY 350 | PHY 360 | elective |
Return to the Davidson Physics department home page