Schedule of Electives

Physics & Astronomy Elective Courses

Elective courses are typically offered once a year, or every other year, depending on demand. 

The schedule below gives the department's current plans for offering electives over the next several years. Specific times of day are given for classes in this academic year; for subsequent academic years, classes are listed in the quarter they are intended to be taught, but times are not yet known.  All information is subject to change based on room and instructor availability.

Schedule of Electives

YearFallWinterSpring
2025-26
  • ASTR 315 Solar System
    • MW 2-3:50pm
    • 4 credits; 1 Writing Point
    • Pre-reqs: PHYS 161-163
       
  • PHYS 345 Quantum Computing
    • MWF 12-12:50pm
    • 3 credits; Pre-reqs: MATH 204, CSCI 141
  • ASTR 316 Stars & Galaxies
    • TR 2-3:50pm
    • 4 credits; 1 Writing Point
    • Pre-reqs: ASTR 315
  • ASTR 320 Cosmology
    • TR 2-3:50pm
    • 4 credits; 1 Writing Point
    • Pre-reqs: ASTR 316
       
  • PHYS 339 Optics
    • MWF 9-9:50am
    • 3 credits
    • Pre-reqs: PHYS 163, MATH 331
       
  • PHYS 346 Introduction to Particle & Nuclear Physics
    • MWF 2-2:50pm
    • 3 credits
    • Pre-reqs: PHYS 230
       
  • PHYS 369 Electricity & Magnetism II
    • MWF 1-1:50pm
    • 3 credits
    • Pre-reqs: PHYS 368

2026-27 

(tentative)

  • ASTR 315 Solar System
    • (4 credits; P161-P163)
  • PHYS 344 Relativity
    • (3 credits; M204, CS141)
  • PHYS 391 Junior Lab
    • (3 credits; P230, P321, P322)
    • Required course, but may be taken a second time for elective credit
  • ASTR 316 Stars & Galaxies
    • (4 credits; ASTR 315)
  • PHYS 456 Quantum II
    • (3 credits; P455)
  • PHYS 475 Solids & Materials I
    • (3 credits; P230, P335, P363)
  • ASTR 320 Cosmology
    • (4 credits; ASTR 316)
  • PHYS 339 Optics
    • (3 credits; P163, M331)
  • PHYS 369 Electricity & Magnetism II
    • (3 credits; P368)
  • PHYS 476 Solids & Materials II
    • (3 credits; P475)

2027-28

(tentative)

  • ASTR 315 Solar System
    • (4 credits; P161-P163)
  • PHYS 391 Junior Lab
    • (3 credits; P230, P321, P322)
    • Required course, but may be taken a second time for elective credit
  • PHYS 486 Computational Physics
    • (3 credits; P321)
  • ASTR 316 Stars & Galaxies
    • (4 credits; ASTR 315)
  • PHYS 345 Quantum Computing
    • (3 credits; M204, CS141)
  • PHYS 456 Quantum II
    • (3 credits; P455)
  • ASTR 320 Cosmology
    • (4 credits; ASTR 316)
  • PHYS 346 Introduction to Particle & Nuclear Physics
    • (3 credits; P230)
  • PHYS 369 Electricity & Magnetism II
    • (3 credits; P368)