Frequently Asked Questions
Please note:
These answers cover significant points but should not be considered a substitute for one-on-one academic advising. Any Emory student contemplating a physics or physics/astronomy major or minor should schedule an appointment with the Director of Undergraduate Studies, as early in their academic career as possible.
What are the main differences between the BS and the BA for a physics major
The BS in Physics is a concentrated, mathematics-rich program for students planning on graduate education in physics or engineering. Therefore, BS students have more physics requirements, continue to learn and apply higher-level mathematics throughout their program, and are required and encouraged to do more research than BA students. While covering most of the sophomore core physics curriculum, the BA in Physics requires fewer upper-level physics courses and offers more choice in physics electives. It is well-suited for students planning to enter medicine, dentistry, law, business, science writing, and teaching.
In addition, the BA schedule works well for students who take Physics 151 and 152 as sophomores (or in some cases, juniors) rather than during their freshman year. BS students, on the other hand, who do not take Physics 151 and 152 as freshmen will face a particularly challenging Fall semester in their junior year when they have to take three physics requirements instead of two. Having said that, many motivated students manage this late start well, so it should not prohibit qualified students from choosing the BS even if they take Physics 151 and 152 as sophomores or even juniors.
No student should attempt to choose either major without first speaking with the director of undergraduate studies.
What are the main differences between the BS and the BA degrees for physics and astronomy majors
The BS in Physics and Astronomy is designed for students planning on graduate school and a career in physics, particularly astrophysics. Therefore, BS students have more astrophysics requirements, and they continue to learn and apply higher-level mathematics throughout their program. The BA in Physics and Astronomy is ideal for those students with a serious interest in astronomy who would prefer a program containing fewer upper-level physics/astrophysics requirements. The BA is well-suited to students preparing to enter medicine, dentistry, law, business, science writing, secondary school teaching and multidisciplinary fields of science.
Like the BS physics students, BS physics/astronomy students complete the same core courses, but instead of electives there are required astrophysics courses. Thus the BS in Physics and Astronomy is equivalent to the Physics BS major, but with a specialization in astrophysics. Note we regularly offer additional astrophysics electives for students serious about a career or graduate program in astronomy, but these electives are not required for the major.
Physics 116: Introduction to Astronomy with Lab counts as a required course for BA Physics/Astronomy students but not for BS Physics/Astronomy students. (It is, however, recommended for BS students who do not have any previous experience with astronomy.)
Physics and Astronomy BS students take both Physics 311 and 312 (Astrophysics I and II) whereas BA students can choose one or the other. Physics 311 and 312 are not a sequence and may be taken in any order; they are offered in alternate Spring semesters (see our Degree Requirements page for a breakdown of our usual course schedules).
Are there any physics courses that do not count toward the BS or BA degrees in physics?
Physics 115, 116, 121, 125, and 190 do not fulfill requirements for the BS or BA physics majors (the one exception being that Physics 116 is required for the BA in Physics and Astronomy). Nevertheless, current and future majors often take these courses and find them to be an enjoyable introduction to these subjects. The aforementioned courses can count toward our minors, see the Degree Requirements page for more information.
Under special circumstances 141 and 142 may fulfill requirements for the physics or physics/astronomy major; this decision is made by the director of undergraduate studies. Normally, 141 and 142 are considered courses for non-science majors. If you have doubts about any other physics courses, please contact the director of undergraduate studies.
When are required courses offered?
Most physics courses required for our majors are offered only once a year in either the Fall or Spring semester, with a few exceptions (some courses, like PHYS 444W, are offered every semester, and others, like PHYS 311 and 312, alternate each year).
Please see Degree Requirements page for a semester-by-semester breakdown of our regularly offered courses. We also offer a comparison of the requirements for each of our degrees and recommended student schedules for each of our majors.