Physics Major Physics Major Advanced study in physics provides skill in critical thinking valued by all branches of the Army and an academic foundation well-suited for later specialization in virtually any technical field of value to the Army. Breadcrumb physics major Majors-and-Minors-left MENU Explore Academic Majors and Minors Academic Majors American Politics Major Applied Statistics and Data Sciences Major Chemical Engineering Major Chemistry Major Civil Engineering Major Computer Science Major Cyber Science Major Defense and Strategic Studies Major Economics Major Electrical Engineering Major Engineering Management Major Engineering Psychology Major English Major Environmental Engineering Major Environmental Science Major Foreign Area Studies: Africa Major Foreign Area Studies: East Asia Major Foreign Area Studies: Eurasia Major Foreign Area Studies: Europe Major Foreign Area Studies: Latin America Major Foreign Area Studies: Middle East Major Foreign Language: Arabic Major Foreign Language: Chinese Major Foreign Language: French Major Foreign Language: German Major Foreign Language: Persian Major Foreign Language: Portuguese Major Foreign Language: Russian Major Foreign Language: Spanish Major Geography Major Geospatial Information Science Major History Major International Affairs Major Kinesiology Major Law and Legal Studies Major Life Science Major Management Major Mathematical Sciences Major Mechanical Engineering Major Nuclear Engineering Major Operations Research Major Philosophy Major Physics Major Sociology Major Space Science Major Systems & Decision Sciences Major Systems Engineering Major Academic Minors Aeronautical Engineering Minor America in the World Minor American Foundations Minor Applied Statistics Minor Cyber Security Minor Diversity and Inclusion Studies Minor Engineering Management Minor General History Minor Geography Minor Grand Strategy Minor Network Science Minor Nuclear Science Minor Photonics Minor Regional Studies Minor Robotics Minor Space Science Minor Systems Engineering Minor Terrorism Studies Minor War Technology and Society Minor Guidance on Choosing an Academic Major Overview Courses Enrichment The physics major integrates phases of modern technology to develop a fundamental knowledge that can support a variety of technical interests and activities in future years. The major is designed to provide cadets a solid foundation in the essential pillars of theoretical physics, classical mechanics, electrodynamics, statistical physics, and quantum mechanics. Additionally, a strong experimental component emphasizes the skills necessary to design and build experimental apparatus and applies these skills to modern physics, lasers and optics. Physics majors have a lab requirement component. To learn more about this area of study, visit the Department of Physics and Nuclear Engineering. Required CoursesPH365 MODERN PHYSICS PH381 INTRMED CLASSICAL MECHANICS PH382 INTERMEDIATE ELECTRODYNAMICS PH384 APPLIED OPTICS PH481 STATISTICAL PHYSICS PH482 ADVANCED CLASSICAL MECHAN PH484 INTERMEDIATE QUANTUM MECHANICS PH485 LASER PHYSICSPH486 EXPERIMENTAL PHYSICS PH487 ADVANCED QUANTUM MECHANICS Sample ElectivesEE301 FUNDAMENTALS OF ELEC ENGIN MA364 ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS MA365 ADV MATH FOR ENGRS/SCIENTISTS XE383 ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES This major offers an honors track. To learn more, view the full Physics Major Curriculum. Majors can join the Astronomy Club or the Society of Physics Students. They can also apply to Sigma Pi Sigma, the National Honor Society within the Society of Physics Students. Majors also have the opportunity to apply to participate in a summer Academic Individual Advanced Development (AIAD) program, USMA-run academic enrichment experience. Past opportunity in locations such as Los Alamos National Laboratory, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, AFIT, German Bundeswehr Research Center, the Army Research Laboratory, and NASA.Other Honor Societies:Golden Key - International Honour SocietyPhi Kappa Phi - Oldest and Largest Collegiate Honor SocietyTo learn more about enrichment for this area of study, visit the Department of Physics and Nuclear Engineering or the Photonics Research Center.