PHYS-BS - Physics (BS)
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Program Overview
The undergraduate program in Physics aims to provide students with a strong foundation in classical and modern physics. The program develops quantitative problem-solving skills and the ability to conceive experiments and analyze and interpret data. These abilities are acquired through both coursework and opportunities to conduct independent research. The program prepares students for careers in fields that benefit from quantitative and analytical thinking, including physics, engineering, teaching, medicine, law, science writing, and science policy in government or the private sector. Sometimes, the path to this career will be through an advanced degree in physics or a professional program.
Physics is concerned with a rigorous, mathematical understanding of the fundamental laws that govern our universe and everything in it. The Physics major provides students with a foundational knowledge of the pillars of modern physics: mechanics, electromagnetic theory, quantum mechanics, and statistical mechanics. The major is designed around a range of pathways that allow students the flexibility to explore a particular interest in more depth, including but not limited to astrophysics, biophysics, computational and mathematical physics, education, geophysics, and quantum information science.
Physics majors have pursued careers in basic or applied research, teaching, and policy, as well as in many parts of the private sector as engineers, consultants, and founders of startups. Others have combined the Physics major with a minor or major in the humanities and pursued careers in the arts.
Physics majors often pursue advanced degrees, including coterminal master’s degrees in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Applied & Engineering Physics, Statistics and other fields, and PhD programs in physics or other fields.
All prospective physics majors should take the Physics Placement Diagnostic to get sound advice on which introductory physics sequence will be sufficiently challenging without being overwhelming and where to begin in that sequence. During their first year at Stanford, prospective Physics majors are encouraged to take, each quarter, the highest level Math course (among Math 19, 20, 21, and the 50 series) for which they satisfy the prerequisites. Prospective majors, especially those beginning the major during sophomore year, can contact the pre-major advisor at choosingphysics@stanford.edu to arrange an advising appointment. Students who have had previous college-level courses should make an advising appointment for placement and possible transfer credit. External credit is only for introductory courses. For additional information, about the transfer process, see the Registrar’s Office webpages on External Test Credit (e.g., AP or IB) and Transfer Credit.
Physics Placement Diagnostic
All students: You must take the Physics Placement Diagnostic if you intend to enroll in either course, course, course, or course and you have never taken an entry-level Physics course at Stanford -- i.e., you have not taken at least one of PHYS 21, 23, 25, 40, 41, 41E, 43, or 45.
For more information, see the department’s Physics Placement Diagnostic page.
Course Plans for the Start of the Physics Major
See these sample plans for starting the Physics and Engineering Physics majors for students enrolling in autumn 2022 or later. Since incoming students have a wide range of backgrounds in math and physics, six different plans are provided; each plan assumes a different starting point in math (MATH 19, 20, 21, or 51 or 61) and/or in physics (PHYSICS 41, 43, or 61). You will receive advice on the best starting point when taking the Placement Diagnostics for Math and Physics.
Course plans for pursuing different Physics pathways are provided below the sample plans for the start of the major.
Preparing for the Major
To declare a major in Physics, see the Physics Department website on How to Declare.
Suggestions for Students Interested in Pursuing a Ph.D. Program in Physics or Closely-Related Fields
Physics research is roughly divided into fields that include astrophysics, atomic, molecular and optical (AMO) physics, biophysics, condensed matter physics, and particle physics. Physics research at Stanford includes computational, experimental, observational, and theoretical work in these fields. It can be helpful to consult with faculty in each research area you might be interested in pursuing in graduate school since recommendations for preparation often vary by field. See the Physics Research Areas webpage to get started.
The core requirements are the minimum for the Physics major; they are intended to provide a foundation in math and physics that prepares students for the wide range of careers pursued by Physics majors. However, if a student is considering pursuing a PhD in Physics, the department recommends completing more than the required Math and Physics courses in a pathway. In particular, they should take PHYSICS 110, 121, 131, 134, and 171, which are necessary elements of undergraduate Physics in preparation for PhD programs.
The department also recommends acquiring laboratory experience, e.g., courses such as PHYSICS 100, 104, 105, 106, 107, or 108, or research experience in an experimental laboratory. It also recommends completing additional Physics and Math courses based on the student’s interests and the advice of faculty in their field(s) of interest. In addition, they should pursue research in physics, e.g., through the Undergraduate Summer Research program in the Physics department or through research opportunities outside Stanford.
The department strongly recommends that students consult with their Physics major advisor (and faculty in any research area in which they are interested) for recommendations on courses and research or internship opportunities and attend the faculty-led group advising meetings held near the end of autumn quarter on applying for summer research and in the autumn and spring quarters on thinking about advanced degrees.
Minimum Units in the Program
Minimum University Units
Each Physics major takes a set of required courses common to all pathways (Core Program Requirements and WIM), and an additional six courses in one of eight defined pathways or, in rare cases, an individually designed pathway (Depth in Discipline). The eight defined pathways are: Astrophysics, Biophysics, Computational Physics & Data Science, Geophysics, Mathematical Physics, Physics Education, Quantum Science & Information, or the Core pathway, which is the recommended starting point for students considering applying to PhD programs in Physics. The Writing in the Major requirement is satisfied by PHYSICS 191 (Scientific Communication in Physics).
See these sample plans for starting the Physics and Engineering Physics majors for students enrolling in autumn 2022 or later; each plan assumes a different starting point in math and/or physics. Course plans for pursuing different Physics pathways are provided below the sample plans for the start of the major.
Grade requirements for Physics Majors who entered Stanford in autumn 2024 or later:
All courses for the Physics major must be taken for a letter grade, and a grade of C- or better must be received for all units applied toward the major, with the following exceptions: a grade of S is acceptable for PHYSICS 41, 61, 61L, 71L, and 89L. Please note that Physics 43 should be taken for a letter grade if you matriculated Autumn 2024 or later.
Grade requirements for Physics Majors who entered Stanford during the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 academic years:
All courses for the Physics major must be taken for a letter grade, and a grade of C- or better must be received for all units applied toward the major, with the following exceptions: a grade of S or CR is acceptable for PHYSICS 41, 43, 61, 61L, 71L, and 89L.
Grade requirements for courses completed for the Physics Major before autumn 2022:
All courses for the Physics major must be taken for a letter grade, and a grade of C- or better must be received for all units applied toward the major. The only exceptions for which a grade of S or CR is acceptable are PHYSICS 42, 44, 46, 62, 64, 67, and one and only one of the following courses: PHYSICS 41, 43, 45, 61, 63, 65. Temporary exceptions to this policy are:
Academic Year 2019-20: The Department of Physics counts all courses taken in winter 2020 and spring 2020 with a CR (credit) or S (satisfactory) grade to satisfy undergraduate Physics degree requirements that otherwise require a letter grade. Physics majors who enrolled in Physics 43 or Physics 65 in the spring quarter of 2020 are not required to take the associated lab courses (Physics 44 or Physics 67) since those classes were canceled due to COVID in that quarter. This does not change the other introductory lab requirements.
Academic Year 2020-21: The Department of Physics counts all courses taken in the academic year 2020-21 with a grade of CR (credit) or S (satisfactory) to satisfy undergraduate Physics degree requirements that otherwise require a letter grade. Students who took PHYSICS 61 and PHYSICS 63 in autumn 2020 and winter 2021 may count either PHYSICS 65 in Summer 2021 or EE 65 in Spring 2021 to complete the requirement of an introductory physics sequence for the Physics major.
Academic Year 2021-22: The Department of Physics counts PHYSICS 41, 43, 45, 61, 63, or 65 taken in the academic year 2021-22 with a grade of CR (credit) or a letter grade of C- or higher toward satisfaction of undergraduate Physics degree requirements for introductory physics.
Note that students who entered Stanford in Autumn 2021 and completed Physics 41 and 43 during the academic year 2021-22 are allowed to use either the requirements that were in place when they entered Stanford if they took Physics 45, 70, and 120 during the academic year 2022-23 or the requirements that are described in the following sections for students entering in Autumn 2022 or later.
Note that some students may be able to place out of Physics 41 and/or 43 based on advice from the Physics Placement Diagnostic, as described in the “Program Policies” section.
Although not generally recommended, students with sufficient lab preparation who do not take all three required introductory lab courses may substitute an extra advanced lab course (PHYSICS 100, 104 (formerly 105), 106 (formerly 107), or 108) for all three required introductory labs. In this case, taking any of the introductory labs does not reduce the requirement of taking an extra advanced lab. No courses other than these may substitute for the introductory labs. A student must apply to make this substitution using the usual course substitution form.
Changes:
Physics 79L - This course was offered as PHYSICS 89L prior to Academic Year 2025-2026. Students requiring 89L credit may use this course to satisfy that requirement.
Physics 81L - This course is new to the department as of the Academic Year 2025-2026. Students requiring credit for 71L may take this course to satisfy that requirement.
Although not generally recommended, students with sufficient lab preparation who do not take all three required introductory lab courses may substitute an extra advanced lab course (PHYSICS 100, 104 (formerly 105), 106 (formerly 107), or 108) for all three required introductory labs. In this case, taking any of the introductory labs does not reduce the extra advanced lab requirement. Generally, only an extra advanced lab, not any other courses, may substitute for the intro labs. A student must apply using the usual course substitution form to make this substitution.
This is the requirement for students who matriculated in autumn 2022 or later.
Requirements for Physics Majors who entered Stanford prior to autumn 2022 can be found in the 2021-2022 Bulletin.
In addition to the courses listed within the Core Program Requirements section above (required for all majors), Physics Majors must also complete six additional courses as defined for one of the Individual Pathways listed below. A course taken to satisfy a Core Program Requirement (above) cannot also count for an Individual Pathway requirement. In general no course can double-count for two different requirements of the Physics Major.
Any course you take to satisfy a pathway requirement must be at least three units. Pathways are not declarable in Axess; they do not appear on the transcript or the diploma. A letter grade of C- or higher is required for all courses in each pathway; therefore, any course in another department that does not offer a letter grade cannot count towards the requirement for a pathway, even if the course is listed as an option for a pathway.
Note that some courses that satisfy specific Pathway requirements may not be offered in any given year. There will always be a way to complete the Physics Major, but you may need to consider changes to the courses or Pathways you have planned to satisfy the requirements.
Or any MATH course numbered 101 and above (not 197) of three units or more.
This is the requirement for students who enrolled in autumn 2023 or later.
For students who enrolled in autumn 2022 or earlier, please see the Academic Year 2022-2023 PHYSICS-BS Bulletin entry.
PHYSICS ELECTIVE: Complete one Physics (PHYSICS) or Applied Physics (APPPHYS) course of 3 or more units, numbered 100 and above (not including PHYSICS 190, 198, 199, 201, 205, 240, 241, 290, 291, 293, 294, APPPHYS 100, APPPHYS 290, APPPHYS 291, APPPHYS 390, or any PHYSICS or APPPHYS course numbered 400 or higher).
The Core Pathway is the recommended starting point for students considering applying to Ph.D. programs in Physics.
GEOLSCI 219 counts for this requirement but GEOLSCI 119 does not.
It is recommended that Physics majors interested in pursuing a career in biophysics consider a minor in biology.
This is the requirement for students who enrolled in autumn 2023 or later.
For students who enrolled in autumn 2022 or earlier, please see the Academic Year 2022-2023 PHYSICS-BS Bulletin entry.
Or any MATH course numbered 101 and above (not 197), of 3 units or more.
Additional MATH electives may be chosen from the Math Electives section above.
Physics Electives may be Physics (PHYSICS) or Applied Physics (APPPHYS) courses of 3 or more units, numbered 100 and above (not including PHYSICS 190, 198, 199, 201, 205, 240, 241, 290, 291, 293, 294, APPPHYS 100, APPPHYS 290, APPPHYS 291, APPPHYS 390, or any PHYSICS or APPPHYS course numbered 400 or higher).
This is the requirement for students who matriculated in autumn 2023 or later.
For students who matriculated in autumn 2022 or earlier, please see the Academic Year 2022-2023 PHYSICS-BS Bulletin entry.
This is the requirement for students who matriculated in autumn 2023 or later.
For students who matriculated in autumn 2022 or earlier, please see the Academic Year 2022-2023 PHYSICS-BS Bulletin entry.
course Intermediate Physics Laboratory II: Experimental Techniques and Data Analysis qualifies for WIM if taken in 2019-20 or earlier.
The capstone in the major requirement is effective for the class of 2025. This applies to:
Undergraduates who matriculate as freshmen in AY 2021-22 or later, and who will graduate in AY 2024-25 or later
Transfer students who enter in AY 2022-23 or AY 2023-24 and who will graduate in AY 2024-25 or later
Students must complete ONE of the following three options to fulfill the Capstone requirement for the Physics major.
The requirements for a Senior thesis are listed in the Honors section (below). However, note that to fulfill the Capstone requirement using this option, it is unnecessary to meet the other requirements for Honors (e.g., GPA requirements). Thus, a student can complete the Capstone requirement with this option even if they are not graduating with Honors.
Students carry out a physics-related research project, which can be pursued at Stanford or another institution during the summer quarter or the academic year. During their junior or senior year, the student submits a proposal describing the topic of their Capstone paper based on their research project and identifying their research advisor. The Director must approve the proposal for Undergraduate Studies. After this approval, the student writes a Capstone paper. This paper can be written for either course (WIM) or course. If the student chooses to write the paper in Physics 191, it will be written for one of the assignments in the style of a journal article (e.g., Physics Review Letters). If the student chooses instead to write the paper in Physics 192, then the student enrolls in that course with the official research advisor as the instructor. If the project is carried out with an advisor at another institution, the student must identify an official advisor who is a faculty member in the Physics Department at Stanford to write their Capstone paper. If the project is carried out with a faculty member at Stanford who is not in the Physics department, then that advisor can serve as the instructor for Physics 192.
Complete at least one of the following three courses: course, course, or course. Note that Physics 100 and Physics 108 may have limited enrollment, so students planning to use one to fulfill their Capstone requirement should have a backup plan in case they cannot enroll in one of these courses. Physics 100, Physics 108, or Physics 171 may be counted for both the Capstone requirement and a pathway requirement for the Physics major. This is the only instance in which a course can double-count for two different requirements.
The student files for entry into the honors program by completing an Honors Program Application by the same deadline as the Senior Thesis Application. The department confirms eligibility.
The student completes coursework with an overall GPA of 3.30 or higher and a GPA of 3.50 or higher in courses required for the Physics major.
The student completes a senior thesis by meeting the deadlines and requirements described in the Senior Thesis section below:
The department offers all Physics majors the opportunity to complete a Senior Thesis.
Here are the guidelines:
Students must submit a Senior Thesis Application form once they identify a physics project, either theoretical or experimental, in consultation with individual faculty members. Proposal forms are available from the undergraduate coordinator. They must be submitted by the week before the Thanksgiving break of the academic year in which the student plans to graduate.
The advisor assigns credit for the project within the course Senior Thesis Research framework. A minimum of three course Senior Thesis Research units must be completed for a letter grade during the senior year. Work completed in the senior thesis program may not be used as a substitute for regular required courses for the Physics major.
A written report and a presentation of the work at its completion are required for the senior thesis. By mid-May, the senior thesis candidate must present the project at the department’s Senior Thesis Presentation Program. This event is publicized and open to the general public. The student’s advisor, second reader, and all other senior thesis candidates are expected to attend.