As a physics concentrator at the University of Michigan, you have considerable latitude in designing your own program. These five courses form the core of any program:

Physics 401: Intermediate Mechanics
Physics 405: Intermediate Electricity and Magnetism
Physics 406: Statistical and Thermal Physics
Physics 453: Quantum Mechanics
Math 451: Methods in Theoretical Physics

How you round out this core set of courses depends on your educational goals.

Sample Programs

Below are several sample program options for undergraduates. Within the sample programs shown below, honors alternatives or challenging options are shown in [brackets].

The courses you take as a physics concentrator in your third and fourth year are a combination of required core courses and electives which you select based on your interests. During this period you should also become involved in research, either through a Physics 415 independent study project or as a paid research assistant. If you are planning to attend graduate school in physics or a related science you should consider taking several extra theoretically oriented courses. We describe here two possible 3rd and 4th year programs, one leaning towards early employment, and the other intended as preparation for graduate school.

• Sample 4-year Physics program for those with no calculus background
• Sample 4-year Physics program for those with AP credit for differential calculus
• Sample 4-year Biophysics program

Note: If you hope to attend graduate school, you may want to try to complete most of the basic material--including the 5 core courses mentioned at the top of this page--by the end of your 3rd year. In the fall of your 4th year you will need to take the Graduate Record Examinations, which will cover this material.

Bottom Line: Consult Advisors

The above programs are illustrative only. Many other combinations are possible, and some may be more desirable in individual cases. The Department concentration advisors can help suggest what may be best for you.