College of the Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences

2026-2027 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. MAT 136 Calculus I 4 JACKSPLANNER Notes
Grade Required: GRADE OF "C" OR BETTER
Notes: This course may also meet a General Studies requirement: Scientific Literacy: Natural Science.
2. PHY 103 First-Year Seminar 1 JACKSPLANNER Notes
Notes: This course is not required but highly recommended
3. General Studies: Scientific Literacy 3 JACKSPLANNER Notes
Notes: Complete two courses in General Studies: Scientific Literacy. One course in Natural Sciences and one course in Social Sciences. See academic catalog for details.
4. General Studies and/or Inclusive Perspectives 3 JACKSPLANNER Notes
Notes: Courses in Inclusive Perspectives (US Ethnic, Global and Indigenous Peoples) are required. Double dipping General Studies and Inclusive Perspectives is encouraged. See academic catalog for details.
5. Foundation English 4
Year 1  Term 2: Spring
Course Description Units Notes
1. PHY 171 or PHY 161 4 JACKSPLANNER Notes
Notes: PHY 171 is highly recommended. This course may also meet a General Studies requirement: Scientific Methods.
2. PHY 171L or PHY 161L 1 JACKSPLANNER Notes
Notes: This course may also meet a General Studies requirement: Scientific Methods. Note: See advisor to ensure the correct Lecture + Lab pairing.
3. General Studies and/or Inclusive Perspectives 3 JACKSPLANNER Notes
Notes: Courses in Inclusive Perspectives (US Ethnic, Global and Indigenous Peoples) are required. Double dipping General Studies and Inclusive Perspectives is encouraged. See academic catalog for details.
4. General Studies and/or Inclusive Perspectives 3 JACKSPLANNER Notes
Notes: Courses in Inclusive Perspectives (US Ethnic, Global and Indigenous Peoples) are required. Double dipping General Studies and Inclusive Perspectives is encouraged. See academic catalog for details.

Year 2

Year 2  Term 1: Fall
Course Description Units Notes
1. PHY 172 or PHY 262 5 JACKSPLANNER Notes
Notes: PHY 172 is highly recommended. Note: If choosing PHY 262, MAT 137 can be taken as a Prerequisite or Corequisite.
2. PHY 262L University Physics II Lab 1
3. AST 280 Introduction To Astrophysics 3
4. MAT 137 Calculus II 4 JACKSPLANNER Notes
Grade Required: GRADE OF "C" OR BETTER
Notes: This course may also meet a General Studies requirement: Math Foundation.
5. General Studies and/or Inclusive Perspectives 3 JACKSPLANNER Notes
Notes: Courses in Inclusive Perspectives (US Ethnic, Global and Indigenous Peoples) are required. Double dipping General Studies and Inclusive Perspectives is encouraged. See academic catalog for details.
Year 2  Term 2: Spring
Course Description Units Notes
1. PHY 263 University Physics III 3
2. PHY 264 Electronics For Science Students 3
3. PHY 265 Introduction To Computational Physics 3
4. MAT 238 Calculus III 4
Grade Required: GRADE OF "C" OR BETTER
5. MAT 239 Differential Equations 3
6. General Studies and/or Inclusive Perspectives 3 JACKSPLANNER Notes
Notes: Courses in Inclusive Perspectives (US Ethnic, Global and Indigenous Peoples) are required. Double dipping General Studies and Inclusive Perspectives is encouraged. See academic catalog for details.

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. General Studies and/or Inclusive Perspectives 3 JACKSPLANNER Notes
Notes: Courses in Inclusive Perspectives (US Ethnic, Global and Indigenous Peoples) are required. Double dipping General Studies and Inclusive Perspectives is encouraged. See academic catalog for details.
5. General Elective Course 3
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

Year 4

Year 4  Term 1: Fall
Course Description Units Notes
1. General Elective Course 1
2. PHY 332 Electricity And Magnetism II 3
3. PHY 471 Quantum Mechanics 3
4. PHY 498C Senior Seminar 3
5. AST 401 Observational Astronomy 3
6. AST 401L Observational Astronomy Lab 1
Year 4  Term 2: Spring
Course Description Units Notes
1. PHY 441 Thermal And Statistical Physics 3
2. General Elective Course 3
3. General Elective Course 3
4. General Elective Course 3
5. General Elective Course 3

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.