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Undergraduate Physics at The Ohio State University
Physics Undergraduate Handbook
Degrees Offered by the Department of Physics:
Degree Types Offered:
- B.S. in Physics from the College of Arts and Sciences
- B.S. in Engineering Physics from the College of Engineering
- Minor in Physics from the College of Arts & Sciences
Quarter Requirements for Students Graduating on or before June 2012
Arts & Sciences Physics Quarter Requirements:
- Procedures for Arts and Sciences Physics Students
- Required courses for Options A,B,C,D,E,F
- Sample Curriculae for Options: A, B, C, D,
E, F
- Sample Curriculum (Double Major in Physics and Astronomy)
- New GEC Requirements for Arts and Sciences BS in Physics for students who entered OSU summer 2007 and after
- Old GEC Requirements for Arts and Sciences BS in Physics for students who entered OSU before summer
2007
- Arts and Sciences Physics Major Program Form (Bingo sheet) 2010-2011
Engineering Physics Quarter Requirements:
Physics Minor Requirements:
Physics BS/MS Program:
The combined BS/MS degree Program in Physics is an opportunity for qualified undergraduates in Phsyics or Engineering Physics to complete both
their undergraduate degree and a M.S. degree in Physics in an estimated 5 year time frame. Please visit the Physics BS/MS Program webpage for
additional information.
Semester Requirements for Students Graduating on or after August 2012
**Students who are graduating under semesters are encouraged to speak to one of the physics advisors to create a sample schedule tailored
specifically to your option or concentration. They can also answer any questions you may have about the new semester requirements.**
Arts & Sciences Physics Semester Requirements:
The physics options under semesters will change from 6 tracks labeled A through F, to a system of 4 options in which the names
are more closely tied to the expected outcome of the student.
- The Applied Physics Option for students interested in Engineering, Law, Journalism, or other Sciences (formerly
Options B,C,F)
- The Advanced Physics Option for graduate school bound students (formerly Option A)
- The Physics and Life Sciences Option for premed students (formerly Option D)
- The Teaching Option for students interested in teaching high school physics (formerly Option E)
The requirements for some of the options are changing slightly under semesters. For a complete list of requirements for each of the 4 semester options and semester sample schedules, please visit the
Physics Semester Transition webpage.
Engineering Physics Semester Requirements:
The requirements for Engineering Physics students graduating under semesters are different than the requirements for students
graduating under quarters. The following classes are no longer required for Engineering Physics students graduating on or after
August 2012:
- Chemistry 121, 122
- Physics 656, 632, 633, 621, 596
- Mechanical Engineering 410
The following requirements are being added:
- 6 additional quarter hours of engineering technical electives (for a total of 36 quarter hours or 24 semester hours)
- 12 semester hours (18 quarter hours) of physics/engineering electives which can be any 200 level or above physics, math, or engineering
course beyond what is already required for the major.
- Beginning June 2010, a two quarter (or two semester) sequence of the Engineering Physics Capstone Course is required.
For a complete list of requirements for each of the 4 semester options and semester sample schedules, please visit the
Physics Semester Transition webpage.
General information: