Physics Curriculum

This page contains information on the curriculum of the Bachelor of Arts in Physics and Bachelor of Science in Physics.

Course descriptions

Follow the links below for descriptions of each course. The physics majors use courses from several different disciplines:

Important planning notes

  • You must earn a minimum of 180 credits to complete a degree from UW Bothell.
  • All courses are 5 credits unless noted otherwise.

General education requirements

All UW students must complete a common set of general education requirements. As a Physics major, you will have already completed the Natural Science (NSc) and Reasoning (R) requirements, as well as some of your Social Science (SSc) credit, by taking physics, math, and chemistry classes, but make sure to plan for completion of the following:

  1. English Composition (C) – 5 credits
  2. Additional Writing (W) – 10 credits
  3. Diversity (DIV) – 5 credits (almost always also fulfills A&H or SSc; was only 3 credits prior to autumn 2023)
  4. Arts & Humanities (A&H) – 15 credits (cannot overlap with SSc)
  5. Social Sciences (SSc) – 10 more credits (cannot overlap with A&H)

Entry prerequisites

Visit our Admissions page for information on prerequisite coursework.

B.A. in Physics

The Bachelor of Art in Physics is intentionally flexible, and leaves space for you to take other courses you need for a minor, second major, or in preparation for graduate school or a career—or other courses you enjoy!

Complete all of the following:

  • BCHEM 143+144: General Chemistry I + Lab (6 credits)
  • STMATH 126: Calculus III
  • STMATH 207: Differential Equations
  • BPHYS 221: Classical Mechanics
  • BPHYS 222: Modern Physics
  • BPHYS 224: Thermal Physics
  • BPHYS 433: Senior Project
  • BPHYS 484: Physics, Society, and Industry
  • BPHYS 494: Physics Seminar (1 credit)
  • Physics Electives: Additional BPHYS coursework from approved list (10 credits; usually 2 courses)

B.S. in Physics

The Bachelor of Science in Physics allows students to pursue a rigorous curriculum focused on the study of the universe from the largest galaxies to the smallest subatomic particles.The degree includes the traditional areas of physics and has four possible (non-transcripted) concentrations: general physics, astrophysics, biophysics and condensed matter.

Complete all of the following:

  • CSS 112: Programming for Scientific Applications (4 credits)
  • STMATH 126: Calculus III
  • STMATH 207: Differential Equations
  • STMATH 208: Matrix Algebra
  • STMATH 224: Multivariable Calculus
  • BPHYS 221: Classical Mechanics
  • BPHYS 222: Modern Physics
  • BPHYS 224: Thermal Physics
  • BPHYS 231: Experimental Physics (3 credits)
  • BPHYS 321: Electricity and Magnetism I
  • BPHYS 322: Electricity and Magnetism II
  • BPHYS 324: Quantum Mechanics I
  • BPHYS 433: Senior Project
  • BPHYS 484: Physics, Society, and Industry
  • BPHYS 494: Physics Seminar (1 credit)
  • Experimental Physics – Choose one course from the following:
    • BPHYS 431: Experimental Physics
    • BPHYS 432: Experimental Physics lab II
    • BPHYS 450: Computational Physics & Theoretical Modeling
  • Physics Electives: Additional BPHYS coursework from approved list (20 credits; usually 4 courses)

Physics electives

Courses marked with a star (★) can be electives for the Bachelor of Arts, but not for the Bachelor of Science.

Courses marked with a diamond (◆) can only be used as an elective for the Bachelor of Science if not already used to fulfill the core requiremnt.

  • BPHYS 293: Special Topics in Physics (5 credits)
  • ★ BPHYS 321: Electricity and Magnetism I
  • ★ BPHYS 322: Electricity and Magnetism II
  • ★ BPHYS 324: Quantum Mechanics I
  • BPHYS 311: Astrophysics I
  • BPHYS 312: Astrophysics II
  • BPHYS 314: Introduction to Cosmology
  • BPHYS 317: Mathematical Physics
  • BPHYS 323: Electricity and Magnetism III
  • BPHYS 325: Quantum Mechanics II
  • BPHYS 328: Statistical Physics
  • ◆ BPHYS 431: Experimental Physics
  • ◆ BPHYS 432: Experimental Physics Lab II
  • BPHYS 441: Condensed Matter Physics I
  • BPHYS 442: Condensed Matter Physics II
  • ◆ BPHYS 450: Computational Physics & Theoretical Modeling
  • BPHYS 493: Advanced Topics in Physics
  • BPHYS 498: Independent Study (1-5 credits, maximum of 10)
  • BPHYS 499: Research (1-5 credits, maximum of 10)

Petitions

Physics-related courses that are not listed above are considered on a case-by-case basis. If you have a syllabus, letter from the instructor, or other detailed description for the class you want to use as an elective, you can submit a petition to request for the course to count. For information on submitting a petition, contact the physics advisor.