Physics and Engineering Physics Home / Academics / Undergraduate Studies / Physics Program / Physics Major
The intention of Tulane’s physics major program is to encourage students to continue on to graduate education in Physics and related disciplines or to pursue cross-disciplinary preparation in physics for medical or other professional schools. Dual majors are encouraged. Students pursuing a career in physics are advised to follow the “Pre-graduate Training” sequence.
Students are encouraged to consider a bachelor of science in physics as preparation for graduate study in disciplinary and interdisciplinary sciences (physics, astrophysics, biophysics, chemistry, neuroscience, materials science, geophysics, meteorology, oceanography, and applied physics), for professional study in medicine, patent law, business, or engineering, and for careers in environmental science, in mathematical or computer modeling, in science writing, or in science and public policy.
Within the requirements above, programs can be tailored to suit the needs of students who elect these career options. In addition, the department offers a 4+1 program that allows students to obtain a Master’s Degree in five years, by enabling them to take graduate level courses as an undergraduate. Tulane University is a member of the Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) consortium.
Research opportunities are often available for undergraduate Physics majors in conjunction with faculty, on a case by case basis.
Students are responsible for fulfilling all TIDES, cultural knowledge, foreign language, writing, service learning, and other requirements, required by Tulane and the School of Science and Engineering.
The student who intends to continue graduate work in physics should complete at least 32 credits in physics including 1310, 1320, 2350, 2360, 3630, 3740, 4230, 4470, and 4650. Students are encouraged to undertake a research project and write a senior honors thesis under the supervision of a physics faculty member. Recommended mathematics courses include 3050, 3090, 4060, 4210, and 4300. Courses in scientific computing, e.g., PHYS 3170 or MATH 3310 are also recommended.