PHYS-MIN - Physics (Minor)
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Program Overview
Students may choose to complete a minor in Physics.
How to Declare the Minor in Physics
The minor declaration deadline is three quarters before graduation, typically the beginning of the autumn quarter if the student is graduating at the end of the spring quarter.
Minimum Units in the Program
Minimum University Units
An undergraduate minor in Physics requires the following coursework.
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.
Students who entered Stanford prior to Autumn 2022 can refer to a prior year's requirements here: Stanford Bulletin 2020-21.
Complete all of the following for 23 units:
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.
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. 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.
PHYSICS 111 or MATH 131P is required for many PHYSICS courses numbered 110 and above.