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 C– 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

Sample plans for physics majors

Below you can link to sample plans for different programs at OSU, including both first-year and transfer student plans. Your particular set of courses and the sequence in which you take them may differ from these samples. You and your advisor will create a customized plan when you enter the physics major.

Majors working under catalog year 2024-25 or earlier should refer to the old physics major.

Programs are 180 credits, as required for graduation at OSU. This includes requirements of the physics major, the Core Ed program, and free electives that can be used as desired. Students often use this space to complete a minor or second major. Students doing this in STEM disciplines can often benefit by adding one of the physics major options.

Transfer student requirements

Suggested plans for transfer students are included among the typical program curricula. Students who intend to transfer to OSU from another institution should review these and speak with the Head Advisor at the earliest possibility.

For students who plan to enter OSU after two years of previous college work, the typical programs will outline the courses you should complete before transferring to OSU. Failure to complete these courses, especially the physics and math courses, will almost certainly add a full year to your studies at OSU.