Physics

The physics department offers a comprehensive program with the flexibility to accommodate students with a range of interests. Those students wishing to maximize their preparation for graduate school can choose from a variety of advanced-level courses. The requirements of the core curriculum, however, are such that students with diverse interests can take a considerable course load outside the department. Thus, in addition to those students planning to enter graduate school in physics, the department encourages students with career goals in such areas as engineering physics, biophysics, law, medicine, materials science, and teaching.

Upon completion of the prerequisites described above, courses required for concentration in physics are as follows.

1. Two semesters of quantum mechanics: PHY 208 and PHY 305.
2. One semester of thermodynamics and statistical mechanics: PHY 301.
3. One semester of advanced electromagnetism: PHY 304.
4. One semester of experimental physics: PHY 312.
5. Two math courses at the 300-level or higher, as detailed below.
6. One elective course at the 300-level or higher, as detailed below.

One of the two math courses must be selected from APC 350, MAE 305, MAE 306, MAT 330, MAT 335, or MAT 427, which all focus either on complex analysis or on differential equations.  The other can be any Mathematics Department course, including cross-lists, at the 300-level or higher, with the proviso that if the first 300-level math course focused on complex analysis, the second should be on a different topic, and likewise if the first 300-level math course focused on differential equations, the second should be on a different topic.

The elective course can be any Physics Department course (including cross-lists) at 300-level or above.  400-level physics courses are particularly recommended.  Courses in astrophysics, biophysics or biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, geophysical science, materials science, plasma physics, and mathematics may also be appropriate depending on the interests of the student.  Graduate courses may also be taken with permission from both the instructor and the departmental representative.

Courses required for concentration in physics may not be taken on a pass/D/fail basis by physics concentrators.

Independent Work

Junior Year. In addition to the coursework carried out during the junior year, the student is required to complete two junior papers, each of which is on a research topic of current interest. The purpose of the papers is to give students exposure to how physics research is actually performed by immersing them in journal, as opposed to textbook, literature. Each paper is written in close consultation with a faculty adviser, who is typically performing research in the subject area of the paper. A junior paper may serve as a preliminary investigation of a senior thesis topic. Junior independent work may also be satisfied with a short experimental project.

Early Concentration.  Students who complete the prerequisites for concentration before the end of sophomore year may declare early concentration in physics.  They may be offered an opportunity to undertake independent work during the spring term by writing the first junior paper.

Senior Year. In the senior year, in addition to coursework, students write a senior thesis based on their own research. The topic might be chosen from one of the active experimental or theoretical research fields of the Physics Department, or might be suggested by a faculty member with some subsidiary interest. A student could also choose a topic relating physics and another field, such as biophysics, geophysics, the teaching of physics, history of science, or engineering physics. Students whose main adviser is outside the Physics Department must also have a co-adviser who is a faculty member in the Physics Department.

Senior Departmental Examination

An oral examination conducted by a departmental committee at the end of the senior year serves as the senior departmental examination.

Courses

• PHY 101 Introductory Physics I Fall STLA course in fundamental physics that covers classical mechanics, fluid mechanics, basic thermodynamics, sounds, and waves. Meets premedical requirements. One lecture, three classes, one three-hour laboratory. Staff
• PHY 102 Introductory Physics II Spring STLContinuation of 101. A course in fundamental physics that covers electricity, magnetism, and an introduction to the quantum world. Meets premedical requirements. Two 90-minute lectures, one preceptorial, and one three-hour laboratory. Staff
• PHY 103 General Physics I Fall STLThe physical laws that govern the motion of objects, forces, and forms of energy in mechanical systems are studied at an introductory level. Calculus-based, primarily for engineering and science students, meets premedical requirements. Some preparation in physics and calculus is desirable; calculus may be taken concurrently. One demonstration lecture, three classes, one three-hour laboratory. Staff
• PHY 104 General Physics II Spring STLContinuation of 103. Electromagnetism from electrostatics, DC and AC circuits to optics, and topics of modern physics are treated at an introductory level. Some preparation in physics and calculus is desirable; calculus may be taken concurrently. Calculus-based, primarily for engineering and science students, meets premedical requirements. One demonstration lecture, three classes, one three-hour laboratory. Staff
• PHY 105 Advanced Physics (Mechanics) Fall STLThis course parallels 103 at a level that assumes a good preparation in physics and calculus. The material is treated in more depth and with more mathematical sophistication than in 103. Students interested in 105 should enroll in 103. After three weeks, the course will reorganize with those students who qualify and are interested in entering 105 for the remainder of the term. Either course can lead to a major in physics. One demonstration lecture, three classes, one three-hour laboratory. Staff
• PHY 106 Advanced Physics (Electromagnetism) Spring STLParallels 104 at a more sophisticated level, emphasizing the unification of electric and magnetic forces and electromagnetic radiation. To enter this course, students must have done well in 103 or 105. 103 students must attend the lectures on special relativity given in reading period as part of 105. Three lectures, one class, one three-hour laboratory. Staff
• PHY 111 Contemporary Physics Not offered this year STLDesigned for students in the humanities and social sciences, the presentation stresses concepts over formulas and intuition over formalism. However, some proficiency in algebra and trigonometry is assumed. Offered both terms, this course does not satisfy requirements for science majors, premedical students, architects, or engineers. Two lectures, one class, one three-hour laboratory. Staff
• PHY 115A Physics for Future Leaders (also STC 115A ) Fall STNWhat do future leaders of our society need to know about physics and technology? The course is designed for non-scientists who will someday become our influential citizens and decision-makers. Whatever the field of endeavor, they will be faced with important decisions in which physics and technology play an important role. The purpose of this course is to present the key principles and the basic physical reasoning needed to interpret scientific and technical information and to make the best decisions. Topics include energy and power, atomic and subatomic matter, wave-like phenomena and light, and Einstein's theory of relativity. Staff
• PHY 115B Physics for Future Leaders (also STC 115B ) Fall STLWhat do future leaders of our society need to know about physics and technology? The course is designed for non-scientists who will someday become our influential citizens and decision-makers. Whatever the field of endeavor, they will be faced with important decisions in which physics and technology play an important role. The purpose of this course is to present the key principles and the basic physical reasoning needed to interpret scientific and technical information and to make the best decisions. Topics include energy and power, atomic and subatomic matter, wave-like phenomena and light, and Einstein's theory of relativity. Staff
• PHY 191 An Integrated Introduction to Engineering, Mathematics, Physics (See EGR 191)
• PHY 192 An Integrated Introduction to Engineering, Mathematics, Physics (See EGR 192)
• PHY 203 Classical Mechanics A Not offered this year STNClassical mechanics, with emphasis on the Lagrangian method. The underlying physics is Newtonian, but with more sophisticated mathematics introduced as needed to understand more complex phenomena. Topics include the formalism of Lagrangian mechanics, central-force motion, small oscillations, coupled oscillations, and waves. The course differs from 205 in that it assumes less preparation, omitting some material in favor of a more pedagogical treatment of the ideas and techniques needed for 208. Prerequisites: 103-104, or 105-106, or permission of instructor; MAT 201 or 203 recommended. Two 90-minute lectures. Staff
• PHY 205 Classical Mechanics B Fall STNClassical mechanics, with emphasis on the Lagrangian method. The underlying physics is Newtonian, but with more sophisticated mathematics introduced as needed to understand more complex phenomena. Topics in this intensive course include the formalism of Lagrangian mechanics, central-force motion and scattering, rigid body motion and noninertial forces, small oscillations, coupled oscillations, and waves. Prerequisite: 103-104, or 105-106 (recommended), or permission of instructor; prior completion of MAT 201 or 203 recommended. Two 90-minute lectures. Staff
• PHY 207 Mechanics and Waves Fall STNCovers the basics of analytical mechanics, but shifts the emphasis to wave phenomena before moving on to aspects of quantum mechanics and quantum statistical mechanics. Special relativity is given greater weight than it usually is in PHY 205. Offers students a path toward the physics concentration that is less intensive than PHY 205 and more accessible to students with less mathematical background. Prerequisites: PHY103-104, or PHY105-106; one 200-level math course; or permission of instructor. Two 90-minute lectures. Staff
• PHY 208 Principles of Quantum Mechanics Spring STNAn introduction to quantum mechanics, the physics of atoms, electrons, photons, and other elementary particles. Topics include state functions and the probability interpretation, the Schrödinger equation, the uncertainty principle, the eigenvalue problem, operators and their algebras, angular momentum and spin, perturbation theory, and the hydrogen atom. Prerequisites: PHY 106, PHY 205, or PHY 207 and MAT 203 or MAT 217, and MAT 204 or MAT 218 (MAT 204/MAT 218 can be taken concurrently); or instructor's permission. Two 90-minute lectures. Staff
• PHY 209 Computational Physics Seminar Fall STLIntroductory course in the application of computers to physics research. Two main themes are numerical analysis methods and the computer-based techniques for implementing them. Methods discussed include least-squares fitting, numerical integration, and Monte Carlo simulation. Techniques include scientific programming, spreadsheets, symbolic-manipulation programs, statistical and plotting packages, and computer graphics. Examples are drawn from various fields of physics, including elementary particle physics and astrophysics. Prerequisites: 104 or 106 or permission of instructor. One 90-minute seminar, one three-hour laboratory. Staff
• PHY 210 Experimental Physics Seminar Spring STLThis seminar introduces students to the basic techniques of electronics and instrumentation used to conduct experiments in the physical sciences. The course begins by teaching a foundation in analog and digital circuits including programmable digital logic devices using an iPad interface for data acquisition. Students develop measurement techniques in a wide range of experimental areas. Prerequisites: PHY 102, 104, 106 or 304. One three-hour seminar. Staff
• PHY 231 An Integrated, Quantitative Introduction to the Natural Sciences I (See ISC 231)
• PHY 232 An Integrated, Quantitative Introduction to the Natural Sciences I (See ISC 232)
• PHY 233 An Integrated, Quantitative Introduction to the Natural Sciences II (See ISC 233)
• PHY 234 An Integrated, Quantitative Introduction to the Natural Sciences II (See ISC 234)
• PHY 235 An Integrated, Quantitative Approach to Biochemistry and Neuroscience (See ISC 235)
• PHY 236 An integrated, Quantitative Approach to Genetics and Genomics (See ISC 236)
• PHY 301 Thermal Physics Fall STNA unified introduction to the physics of systems with many degrees of freedom: thermodynamics and statistical mechanics, both classical and quantum. Applications will include phase equilibrium, classical and quantum gases, and properties of solids. Three lectures. Prerequisites: Any one of PHY 106, 205, 207 or 208, or instructor's permission. Staff
• PHY 304 Advanced Electromagnetism Spring STNExtensions of electromagnetic theory including some important applications of Maxwell's equations. Solutions to Laplace's equation--boundary value problems. Retarded potentials. Electromagnetic waves and radiation. Special relativity. Mathematical tools developed as required. Two 90-minute lectures. Prerequisites: 104 or 106. Staff
• PHY 305 Introduction to the Quantum Theory Fall STNA second course on the basic principles of quantum mechanics with emphasis on applications to problems from atomic and solid-state physics. Two 90-minute lectures. Prerequisites: 208. Staff
• PHY 309 Science and Technology of Nuclear Energy: Fission and Fusion (See AST 309)
• PHY 312 Experimental Physics Spring STLThe course offers six different experiments from the advanced laboratory collection. Experiments include Josephson effect, ß-decay, holography, Mössbauer spectroscopy, optical pumping. Lectures stress modern experimental methods and devices. One lecture, one laboratory. Staff
• PHY 321 General Relativity (See AST 301)
• PHY 371 Global Geophysics (See GEO 371)
• PHY 401 Cosmology (See AST 401)
• PHY 402 Stars and Star Formation (See AST 403)
• PHY 403 Mathematical Methods of Physics (also MAT 493 ) Not offered this year QRMathematical methods and techniques that are essential for modern theoretical physics. Topics such as group theory, Lie algebras, and differential geometry are discussed and applied to concrete physical problems. Special attention will be given to mathematical techniques that originated in physics, such as functional integration and current algebras. Three classes. Prerequisite: MAT 330 or instructor's permission. Staff
• PHY 405 Modern Physics I: Condensed-Matter Physics Spring STNAn introduction to modern condensed-matter physics, this course builds on quantum and statistical mechanics to study the electronic properties of solids, including band theory. Metals, quantum Hall effects, semiconductors, superconductors and magnetism, as well as phase transitions in condensed systems and structure and dynamic of solids and liquid crystals. Two 90-minute lectures. Prerequisites: PHY 208, PHY 301, and PHY 305. Staff
• PHY 406 Modern Physics II: Nuclear and Elementary Particle Physics Fall STNThe basic features of nuclear and elementary particle physics are described and interpreted, primarily in the context of the "Standard Model." Problems of current interest are discussed. Two 90-minute lectures. Staff
• PHY 408 Modern Classical Dynamics Spring STNThe course discusses some of the most important and beautiful phenomena described by classical dynamics. This includes generalized Hamiltonian systems and variational principles, shock waves propagation, gravitational instabilities, simple solitons and vortices plus elementary exposition of the theories of turbulence and period doubling. Two 90-minute lectures. Prerequisite: PHY 205 or 207. Staff
• PHY 419 Physics and Chemistry of Earth's Interior (See GEO 419)
• PHY 442 Geodynamics (See GEO 442)

1. Submit
   • A Completed Application. You must submit your application online through either the Common Application, Coalition Application or the Universal College Application. 
   • Princeton's Supplement. In addition to the application provided by the Common Application, Coalition Application or Universal College Application, all applicants must submit the Princeton Supplement. You should submit the Princeton Supplement online through the Common Application, Coalition Application or Universal College Application website. 
   • Application Fee or Fee Waiver. You may submit a fee waiver one of two ways: 1) Select the fee waiver option on the Common Application, Coalition Application or Universal College Application. Your college or guidance counselor must approve your fee waiver request online or submit your fee waiver form by mail or fax. 2) Select one of the following fee waiver options on the Princeton Supplement: Princeton-specific, ACT, College Board, NACAC or Realize Your College Potential. All low-income students are eligible for the Princeton-specific fee waiver. Students named QuestBridge Finalists should select the QuestBridge fee waiver. If you use the Princeton-specific fee waiver, you do not need to get approval from your college counselor. Learn more about fee waivers on the How to Apply page.
2. Request
   • Transcript. An official transcript must be sent by a guidance counselor or school official.
   • School Report (SR). The SR form is available from the Common Application and Universal College Application websites. Please ask your guidance counselor or other school official to complete and submit the SR form. If you are using the Coalition Application, the SR and counselor recommendation are uploaded as one item.
   • Counselor Recommendation. If you are using the Common Application online, please note that the SR and the Counselor Recommendation are separate items. Be sure to 'invite' your guidance counselor or academic adviser to complete both items. If you are using the Coalition Application, please invite your counselor to upload the counselor recommendation and school report.
   • Two (2) Teacher Recommendations. Please ask two of your teachers from different academic areas of study to complete and send the teacher recommendation forms, available on the Common Application, Coalition Application and Universal College Application websites. Choose teachers who have taught you in higher-level courses.
   • Mid-year School Report. Please ask your guidance counselor or other school official to complete and submit this form when your mid-year grades are available. The form may be found on the Common Application, Coalition Application and Universal Application websites.
3. Report
   • SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing. Early action applicants are strongly encouraged to complete their SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing test before the Nov. 1 deadline. Regular decision applicants should take the SAT with Essay test by the January test date or take the ACT with Writing by the December date. When registering for the SAT or ACT, use the following codes to ensure your scores are sent to Princeton: SAT: 2672 and ACT: 2588. Learn more about standardized testing for admission.
   • SAT Subject Tests. We recommend, but do not require, the submission of two SAT Subject Tests, which often assist us in the evaluation process. We have no preference for the specific SAT Subject Tests applicants might choose to take. However, if you apply for the Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree, we recommend that you take mathematics Level I or II, and either physics or chemistry. If you decide to submit Subject Tests, early action applicants should take them by the November test date, and regular decision applicants should take them by the January test date. Learn more about standardized testing for admission.
   • TOEFL, IELTS or PTE Academic scores. If English is not your native language and you are attending a school where English is not the language of instruction, you must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System Academic (IELTS Academic) or the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic), in addition to the SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing. You are not required to take the TOEFL, IELTS or PTE Academic if English is your native language or if you have spent at least three years at a secondary school where English is the primary language of instruction. Please have your scores sent directly to Princeton: TOEFL: 2672

Optional Application Components

• Arts Form, if applicable. If you've excelled in architecture, creative writing, dance, music, theater or visual arts, and would like us to consider your talent, consult Princeton's online Optional Arts Form. Early action applicants must submit digital arts materials by Nov. 7; regular decision applicants must submit digital arts materials by Jan. 6. You can only submit your online Optional Arts Form after we have received the Common Application, Coalition Application or Universal College Application. If you are unable to submit online, please use the paper Optional Arts Form. For a list of acceptable file formats and submission types, review our Optional Arts Form page. For more information on the optional arts supplement, please visit our FAQs page.
• Interview. Depending on availability, once you have applied, you may be invited to interview with a member of one of our Princeton Alumni Schools Committees. If so, we encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity. Interviews take place after the Admission Office has received your application. Many Princeton Alumni Schools Committees have enough volunteers to offer every applicant an interview. As the interview is not a required element of the application, you will not be at a disadvantage if an interview is not available in your area. We do not offer on-campus interviews. Please visit our FAQs page for more information.

The full need of all admitted international students is met the same as it is for students from the United States. Your family’s ability to pay for your university education is not a factor in our admission decision. Students who qualify for financial aid will receive a grant, rather than a loan that has to be repaid, and a term-time job (8-9 hours per week) to meet their need as determined by the Financial Aid Office.

Our financial aid program is entirely based on need. Princeton does not offer academic or athletic merit scholarships. Financial aid awards cover the difference between Princeton’s costs and the amount your parents are expected to contribute to your education. The parental contribution is based on our evaluation of your financial aid application.