We've created a simple worksheet you can use to map out your four year plan and share with your academic advisor.
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Use the four-year academic pathways for each UMBC major/program listed below as a resource for major exploration and development of an individualized degree plan.

Please note that these academic pathways are sample pathways. Students, in consultation with their academic advisor, will create an individualized degree plan, reflecting their academic preparation, interests and goals. Students are strongly encouraged to develop an individualized degree plan by no later than 45 credits earned and to update the plan regularly, in consultation with an academic advisor.

For complete information on degree requirements, reference the Undergraduate Course Catalog (catalog.umbc.edu).

Select a major/program to view its pathway:

Physics - B.S.

Degree Requirements
Total Academic Credits:
120
Major Credits:
74
Min. Upper-Level Credits:
45
Min. Cumulative GPA:
2.0
§ indicates Benchmark requirements
‡ indicates Gateway courses
Curriculum Notes
  • This sample plan assumes no AP/IB/CLEP or transfer credit, foreign language proficiency up to the 201 level and a math placement level of MATH 151
  • All students must complete a credit-bear English and Mathematics course in the first year of study
Year One
Fall Semester Credits
MATH 151 Calc. & Analytic Geom. I (MATH GEP) 4
PHYS 121H Mechanics - Honors (S non-lab GEP) 4
PHYS 190 Becoming a Physicist 1
CMSC 201 Computer Science I 4
ENGL GEP 3
Total 16
Spring Semester Credits
MATH 152 Calculus & Analytic Geometry II 4
PHYS 122H Electricity & Magnetism - Honors 4
PHYS 133L Experimental Physics I (S w/ lab GEP) 3
AH GEP 3
Total 14
Year Two
Fall Semester Credits
PHYS 211 Intro. Physics III: Waves & Relativity 3
MATH 221 Introduction to Linear Algebra 3
MATH 251 Multivariable Calculus 4
AH GEP 3
C GEP 3
Total 16
Spring Semester Credits
PHYS 212 Intro Physics IV: Thermal & Quantum § 3
PHYS 233L Computational Physics I 4
MATH 225 Introduction to Differential Equations 3
Foreign Language 201 4
Total 14
Year Three
Fall Semester Credits
PHYS 311 Statistical Mechanics § 3
PHYS 300 or 400-level Elective 3
AH GEP 3
Upper-Level Elective 3
Upper-Level Elective 3
Total 15
Spring Semester Credits
PHYS 312 Quantum Mechanics I § 3
PHYS 333L Experimental Physics II (WI) § 3
PHYS 300 or 400-level Elective 3
SS GEP 3
Upper-Level Elective 3
Total 15
Year Four
Fall Semester Credits
PHYS 411 Classical Mechanics § 3
PHYS 300 or 400-level Elective 3
SS GEP 3
Upper-Level Elective 3
Upper-Level Elective 3
Total 15
Spring Semester Credits
PHYS 412 Electromagnetism § 3
PHYS 433L Experimental Physics III 3
PHYS 300 or 400-level Elective 3
SS GEP 3
Elective 3
Total 15
Advising Coordinator:
CNMS Advising cnmsadvising@umbc.edu University Center, Room 205