Choosing a Physics Course Pathways to the Major: The appropriate course for students considering a physics major depends primarily on their preparation. There are three common tracks beginning in the fall semester. * PHYS 113, General Physics, is a calculus based introductory mechanics course requiring one semester of calculus, taken in either secondary school or in college, at about the level of MATH 121. A student who has had no calculus is advised to take calculus during the first year, then PHYS 113 in the first semester of the sophomore year. * Students who have had a strong preparation in physics and calculus may take PHYS 215, Special Relativity, and PHYS 217, Chaos. These are two half credit courses, offered sequentially in two halves of the fall semester, but not sequential in content. They are intended for majors, but available to first year, or other students who have had both integral and differential calculus at about the level of MATH 121/122, and a solid course in mechanics with calculus, at the level of PHYS 113. Students from both of the above tracks merge into the electricity and magnetism half of General Physics, PHYS 116, in the spring. Students intending to major in physics must complete either track no later than the end of their sophomore year, preferably by the end of their first year. * Exceptionally well prepared students may begin with PHYS 213, Waves and Oscillations. Student who feels that they fall into this category should consult with a member of the physics faculty. Laboratory Courses: The General Physics course has associated laboratory courses, PHYS 123 in the fall, and PHYS 124 in the spring. These laboratory sections are half credit courses associated with the lecture courses, but are not required. We encourage you to take the laboratory courses for a first hand opportunity to observe, both qualitatively and quantitatively, some of the physical phenomena that are discussed in the lecture. Students interested in a physics major may also wish to consider PHYS 125, Honors General Physics Lab. This course is a more intensive version of the General Physics Lab, PHYS 123, and intended for students interested in a more rigorous application of their physics background to the laboratory experience.