University requirements are summarized in the Academic Catalog. You should check in particular the grade point averages required to remain in good standing and to graduate. Courses required for the physics major may not be taken under S-U grading. Grades of Cā or better must be attained in all courses required for the Physics major. Courses in which a lower grade is received must be repeated until a satisfactory grade is received.
You must satisfy the OSU general education requirements in the Core Education program. Note that the physical science requirement will be satisfied by either your introductory physics course (PH 211, 212, 213). It is not necessary to complete another physical science course for Core Ed. You must, however, complete at least one term of biological science.
In order to satisfy the Writing Intensive Course (WIC) requirement of the OSU Baccalaureate Core, Physics majors are required to either write a senior thesis on a research project (thesis) or take PH 315 Advanced Lab (non-thesis). Students doing a thesis will enroll in PH 403 (Thesis) for three credits or do equivalent research in another department or even another school. For more information, please see the section below on satisfying the WIC.
Current Schedule of Courses
Corvallis Campus Courses
Ecampus Courses
Basic degree program requirements
Introductory physics
- PH 211, 212, 213, 315
Computational physics
- PH 264, 364 [Electives: PH 415, 464]
Paradigms
- PH 335, 422, 423, 424, 425, 426, 427
Capstones
- PH 431, 441, 451
Advanced labs
PH 411, 481
WIC Options
- Thesis option with PH 401 or approved substitute research
- Non-thesis option including PH 317
Physics Electives
- PH 455, 475, 485, 482, 483, 495, 562, 591, and special offerings
Other Science Electives
- CH 221 with lab and two others by choice
Mathematics
- MTH 251, 252, 254, 255, 256, 264, 265