College of Engineering, Informatics, and Applied Sciences

2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog Progression Plans are for planning purposes
only; see the catalog for official details.

Physics and Astrophysics, Bachelor of Science

Progression Plan-Classic

Campus Availability

  • Flagstaff

Year 1

Year 1  Term 1: Fall
Course Description Units Notes
1. PHY 171 or PHY 161 5 JACKSPLANNER Notes
Notes: PHY 171 is highly recommended. This course may also meet a Liberal Studies requirement: Lab Science.
2. MAT 136 Calculus I 4 JACKSPLANNER Notes
Grade Required: GRADE OF "C" OR BETTER
Notes: This course is not required, but is a pre-requisite for other courses in the major. This course may also meet a Liberal Studies requirement: Science & Applied Science.
3. PHY 103 First-Year Seminar 1 JACKSPLANNER Notes
Notes: This course is not required but highly recommended
4. Liberal Studies and/or Diversity 3 JACKSPLANNER Notes
Notes: Courses in US Ethnic and Global Diversity are required. Double dipping liberal studies and diversity is encouraged. See academic catalog for details.
5. Liberal Studies and/or Diversity 3 JACKSPLANNER Notes
Notes: Courses in US Ethnic and Global Diversity are required. Double dipping liberal studies and diversity is encouraged. See academic catalog for details.
Year 1  Term 2: Spring
Course Description Units Notes
1. PHY 172 or PHY 262 5 JACKSPLANNER Notes
Notes: PHY 172 is highly recommended. This course may also meet a Liberal Studies requirement: Science & Applied Science.
2. PHY 262L University Physics II Lab 1
3. MAT 137 Calculus II 4 JACKSPLANNER Notes
Grade Required: GRADE OF "C" OR BETTER
Notes: This course is not required, but is a pre-requisite for other courses in the major.
4. Foundation English 4
5. Liberal Studies and/or Diversity 3 JACKSPLANNER Notes
Notes: Courses in US Ethnic and Global Diversity are required. Double dipping liberal studies and diversity is encouraged. See academic catalog for details.

Year 2

Year 2  Term 1: Fall
Course Description Units Notes
1. PHY 263 University Physics III 3
2. AST 280 Introduction To Astrophysics 3
3. MAT 238 Calculus III 4 JACKSPLANNER Notes
Grade Required: GRADE OF "C" OR BETTER
Notes: This course is not required, but is a pre-requisite for other courses in the major.
4. Liberal Studies and/or Diversity 3 JACKSPLANNER Notes
Notes: Courses in US Ethnic and Global Diversity are required. Double dipping liberal studies and diversity is encouraged. See academic catalog for details.
Year 2  Term 2: Spring
Course Description Units Notes
1. PHY 264 Electronics For Science Students 3
2. PHY 265 Introduction To Computational Physics 3
3. MAT 239 Differential Equations 3 JACKSPLANNER Notes
Notes: This course is not required, but is a pre-requisite for other courses in the major.
4. Liberal Studies and/or Diversity 3 JACKSPLANNER Notes
Notes: Courses in US Ethnic and Global Diversity are required. Double dipping liberal studies and diversity is encouraged. See academic catalog for details.
5. General Elective Course 3 JACKSPLANNER Notes
Notes: CHM 151/L and CHM 152/L highly recommended for general electives.

Year 3

Year 3  Term 1: Fall
Course Description Units Notes
1. PHY 301 Methods Of Analytical Physics 3
2. PHY 321 Mechanics I 3
3. AST 391 Astrophysics: Stars 3
4. Liberal Studies and/or Diversity 3 JACKSPLANNER Notes
Notes: Courses in US Ethnic and Global Diversity are required. Double dipping liberal studies and diversity is encouraged. See academic catalog for details.
5. General Elective Course 3 JACKSPLANNER Notes
Notes: CHM 151/L and CHM 152/L highly recommended for general electives.
Year 3  Term 2: Spring
Course Description Units Notes
1. PHY 331 Electricity And Magnetism I 3
2. PHY 333W Advanced Lab 3
3. PHY 361 Modern Physics 3
4. AST 390 or AST 392 3
5. General Elective Course 3 JACKSPLANNER Notes
Notes: CHM 151/L and CHM 152/L highly recommended for general electives.

Year 4

Year 4  Term 1: Fall
Course Description Units Notes
1. PHY 332 Electricity And Magnetism II 3
2. PHY 471 Quantum Mechanics 3
3. PHY 498C Senior Seminar 3
4. AST 401 Observational Astronomy 3
5. AST 401L Observational Astronomy Lab 1
CHM 151/L and CHM 152/L highly recommended for general electives.
Year 4  Term 2: Spring
Course Description Units Notes
1. PHY 441 Thermal And Statistical Physics 3
2. General Elective Course 3 JACKSPLANNER Notes
Notes: CHM 151/L and CHM 152/L highly recommended for general electives.
3. General Elective Course 3 JACKSPLANNER Notes
Notes: CHM 151/L and CHM 152/L highly recommended for general electives.
4. General Elective Course 3 JACKSPLANNER Notes
Notes: CHM 151/L and CHM 152/L highly recommended for general electives.
5. General Elective Course 3 JACKSPLANNER Notes
Notes: CHM 151/L and CHM 152/L highly recommended for general electives.

Program Information

PROGRAM INFORMATION

No more than one grade of "D" in a physics or astronomy course is allowed.

General Information

Progression Plans are intended to provide a general road map related to the sequencing of courses. The use of Progression Plans does not constitute a contract with the University. Progression Plans are a planning tool to help you define a pathway towards degree completion.

The NAU academic catalog is the official, authoritative source for all academic requirements and policies. Any discrepancies in curricular requirements from other sources will default to the academic catalog as the official, authoritative source. For a full description of degree requirements and course descriptions, refer to the Academic Catalog (link at the top of the page).

Some courses may have prerequisites and/or require an appropriate placement score (i.e. Mathematics and English). If you do not have the prerequisite course(s) or placement, you may have to take more courses than are presented on the Progression Plan.

If you are an NAU student, Jacks Planner (an interactive version of progression plans) may be available to you. To get to Jacks Planner, log into your Student Center in LOUIE and click on Jacks Planner.