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Program checklist · BS

Physics, BS

George Mason University · Fairfax, VA

A checklist is the list of requirements to complete this program and receive the award, as the college publishes it in its catalog. It is the same for everyone. It does not say what you have completed; that comes from applying your own record.

Program
Award
BS
Credential class
ceterms:BachelorDegree
CIP
40.0801
Total credits (published)
40
Credits (computed from items)
150
Catalog edition
2026-2027
Checklist type
degree-program
Identifiers
IPEDS UNITID
232186
CourseShelf checklist
CK_232186_88155e3e
CollegeTransfer.Net
Institution Transfer Profile
Source
CourseShelf publish 59

Requirements to complete

Every course or condition the catalog lists, in the catalog's order.

Alternative Introductory Sequence

2 items
  1. PHYS 160& PHYS 161
    University Physics I (Mason Core)and University Physics I Laboratory (Mason Core)
    Not resolved to a course
    4
  2. PHYS 260& PHYS 261
    University Physics II (Mason Core)and University Physics II Laboratory (Mason Core)
    Not resolved to a course
    4

Or

2 items
  1. PHYS 170& PHYS 161
    Introductory and Modern Physics I (Mason Core)and University Physics I Laboratory (Mason Core)
    Not resolved to a course
    4
  2. PHYS 270& PHYS 261
    Introductory and Modern Physics II (Mason Core)and University Physics II Laboratory (Mason Core)
    Not resolved to a course
    4

Physics Core Courses

major core · 1 item
  1. Choose one of the following two sequences:
    Not resolved to a course
    8

Sequence One

2 items
  1. PHYS 160& PHYS 161
    University Physics I (Mason Core)and University Physics I Laboratory (Mason Core) (the lab can be taken with, or any time after, PHYS 160)
    Not resolved to a course
  2. PHYS 260& PHYS 261
    University Physics II (Mason Core)and University Physics II Laboratory (Mason Core) (the lab can be taken with, or any time after, PHYS 260)
    Not resolved to a course

Sequence Two

9 items
  1. PHYS 170& PHYS 161
    Introductory and Modern Physics I (Mason Core)and University Physics I Laboratory (Mason Core) (the lab can be taken with, or any time after, PHYS 170)
    Not resolved to a course
  2. PHYS 270& PHYS 261
    Introductory and Modern Physics II (Mason Core)and University Physics II Laboratory (Mason Core) (the lab can be taken with, or any time after, PHYS 270)
    Not resolved to a course
  3. PHYS 251
    Introduction to Computer Methods in Physics
    As published: “Introduction to Computer Methods in Physics (Mason Core)”
    3
  4. PHYS 262
    University Physics III
    As published: “University Physics III (Mason Core)”
    3
  5. PHYS 301
    3
  6. PHYS 303
    3
  7. PHYS 305
    Electromagnetic Theory
    As published: “Electromagnetic Theory 1”
    3
  8. PHYS 307
    3
  9. PHYS 402
    3

Mathematics

3 items
  1. MATH 113
    Analytic Geometry and Calculus I
    As published: “Analytic Geometry and Calculus I (Mason Core)”
    4
  2. MATH 114
    4
  3. MATH 213
    3

BS without Concentration

concentration · 0 items

    Mathematics/Computational Physics

    0 items

      Select 6 credits from the following:

      3 items
      1. MATH 203
        3
      2. MATH 214
        3
      3. PHYS 325
        3

      Intermediate Laboratory

      2 items
      1. PHYS 311
        3
      2. PHYS 312
        3

      Research, Internship, or Independent Study

      0 items

        Select 3 credits from the following:

        5 items
        1. PHYS 326
          1-3
        2. PHYS 405
          3
        3. PHYS 406
          3
        4. PHYS 408
          2-3
        5. PHYS 409
          3

        Capstone

        2 items
        1. PHYS 407
          Senior Laboratory in Modern Physics
          As published: “Senior Laboratory in Modern Physics (Mason Core) 1”
          4
        2. PHYS 410
          Computational Physics Capstone
          As published: “Computational Physics Capstone (Mason Core) 1”
          4

        Physics Theory

        0 items

          All students complete the following 9 credits:

          3 items
          1. PHYS 306
            3
          2. PHYS 403
            3
          3. PHYS 428
            3

          Only students who are not completing a second major or a second bachelor's degree must select 6 additional credits from the following:

          major core · 11 items
          1. ASTR 210
            3
          2. ASTR 328
            3
          3. ASTR 403
            3
          4. ASTR 404
            3
          5. PHYS 308
            3
          6. PHYS 331
            3
          7. PHYS 370
            3
          8. PHYS 412
            3
          9. PHYS 440
            3
          10. PHYS 465
            3
          11. PHYS 475
            3

          Applied and Engineering Physics Concentration (PHAE)

          concentration · 0 items

            Mathematics/Computational Physics

            1 item
            1. PHYS 325
              3

            Intermediate Laboratory

            2 items
            1. PHYS 311
              3
            2. PHYS 312
              3

            Physics Theory

            1 item
            1. PHYS 306
              3

            Select 6 credits from the following:

            4 items
            1. PHYS 331
              3
            2. PHYS 370
              3
            3. PHYS 403
              3
            4. PHYS 412
              3

            Capstone

            0 items

              Select 4 credits from the following:

              2 items
              1. PHYS 407
                Senior Laboratory in Modern Physics
                As published: “Senior Laboratory in Modern Physics (Mason Core) 1”
                4
              2. PHYS 410
                Computational Physics Capstone
                As published: “Computational Physics Capstone (Mason Core) 1”
                4

              Practical Work

              0 items

                Students who are not completing a second major or a second bachelor's degree should select 12 credits from the following. Students who are completing a second major or a second bachelor's degree should select 6 credits:

                major core · 7 items
                1. PHYS 405
                  3
                2. PHYS 406
                  3
                3. PHYS 408
                  2-3
                4. PHYS 409
                  3
                5. BENG 320
                  3
                6. ECE 415
                  3
                7. ECE 416
                  3

                Or other approved 300 or 400-level Volgenau School of Engineering courses

                0 items

                  Astrophysics Concentration (PHAP)

                  concentration · 0 items

                    Mathematics/Computational Physics

                    2 items
                    1. ASTR 401
                      3
                    2. MATH 214
                      3

                    Intermediate Laboratory

                    2 items
                    1. PHYS 311
                      3
                    2. PHYS 312
                      3

                    Research, Internship, or Independent Study

                    0 items

                      Select 3 credits from the following:

                      9 items
                      1. ASTR 405
                        3
                      2. ASTR 406
                        3
                      3. ASTR 408
                        3
                      4. ASTR 409
                        3
                      5. PHYS 326
                        1-3
                      6. PHYS 405
                        3
                      7. PHYS 406
                        3
                      8. PHYS 408
                        2-3
                      9. PHYS 409
                        3

                      Capstone

                      0 items

                        Select 4 credits from the following:

                        3 items
                        1. ASTR 402
                          RS: Methods of Observational Astronomy
                          As published: “RS: Methods of Observational Astronomy (Mason Core) 1”
                          4
                        2. PHYS 407
                          Senior Laboratory in Modern Physics
                          As published: “Senior Laboratory in Modern Physics (Mason Core) 1”
                          4
                        3. PHYS 410
                          Computational Physics Capstone
                          As published: “Computational Physics Capstone (Mason Core) 1”
                          4

                        Physics and Astronomy Theory

                        0 items

                          Students who are not completing a second major or a second bachelor's degree must complete the following:

                          major core · 4 items
                          1. ASTR 210
                            3
                          2. ASTR 328
                            3
                          3. PHYS 306
                            3
                          4. PHYS 428
                            3

                          Select two courses from the following:

                          4 items
                          1. ASTR 403
                            3
                          2. ASTR 404
                            3
                          3. ASTR 420
                            3
                          4. ASTR 480
                            3

                          Students who are completing a second major or a second bachelor's degree must complete the following:

                          major core · 2 items
                          1. ASTR 210
                            3
                          2. ASTR 328
                            3

                          Select 3 credits from the following:

                          2 items
                          1. PHYS 306
                            3
                          2. PHYS 428
                            3

                          Select 3 credits from the following:

                          4 items
                          1. ASTR 403
                            3
                          2. ASTR 404
                            3
                          3. ASTR 420
                            3
                          4. ASTR 480
                            3

                          Computational Physics Concentration (PHCP)

                          concentration · 0 items

                            Mathematics/Computational Physics

                            3 items
                            1. PHYS 325
                              3
                            2. MATH 203
                              3
                            3. MATH 214
                              3

                            Select 6 credits from the following:

                            5 items
                            1. ASTR 401
                              3
                            2. CDS 302
                              Scientific Data and Databases
                              As published: “Scientific Data and Databases (Mason Core)”
                              3
                            3. CDS 303
                              3
                            4. MATH 446
                              3
                            5. MATH 447
                              3

                            Intermediate Laboratory

                            1 item
                            1. PHYS 311
                              3

                            Research, Internship, or Independent Study

                            0 items

                              Select 3 credits from the following:

                              5 items
                              1. PHYS 326
                                1-3
                              2. PHYS 405
                                3
                              3. PHYS 406
                                3
                              4. PHYS 408
                                2-3
                              5. PHYS 409
                                3

                              Capstone

                              1 item
                              1. PHYS 410
                                Computational Physics Capstone
                                As published: “Computational Physics Capstone (Mason Core) 1”
                                4

                              Physics and Astronomy Theory

                              0 items

                                Students who are not completing a second major or a second bachelor's degree must select 9 credits of the following. Students who are completing a second major or a second bachelor's degree must select 3 credits from the following:

                                major core · 5 items
                                1. ASTR 210
                                  3
                                2. ASTR 328
                                  3
                                3. ASTR 403
                                  3
                                4. PHYS 306
                                  3
                                5. PHYS 412
                                  3

                                Mason Core

                                major core · 0 items

                                  Foundation Requirements

                                  4 items
                                  1. Written Communication (lower-level)
                                    Not resolved to a course
                                    3
                                  2. Oral Communication
                                    Not resolved to a course
                                    3
                                  3. Quantitative Reasoning
                                    Not resolved to a course
                                    3
                                  4. Information Technology and Computing
                                    Not resolved to a course
                                    3

                                  Exploration Requirements

                                  6 items
                                  1. Arts
                                    Not resolved to a course
                                    3
                                  2. Global Contexts
                                    Not resolved to a course
                                    3
                                  3. Global History
                                    Not resolved to a course
                                    3
                                  4. Literature
                                    Not resolved to a course
                                    3
                                  5. Natural Science
                                    Not resolved to a course
                                    7
                                  6. Social and Behavioral Sciences
                                    Not resolved to a course
                                    3

                                  Just Societies (optional) 1

                                  0 items

                                    Integration Requirements

                                    3 items
                                    1. Written Communication (upper-level)
                                      Not resolved to a course
                                      3
                                    2. Writing Intensive 2
                                      Not resolved to a course
                                      3
                                    3. Mason Apex 3
                                      Not resolved to a course
                                      3

                                    Graduate Course Suggestions

                                    5 items
                                    1. BINF 630
                                      3
                                    2. BINF 631
                                      3
                                    3. GBUS 623
                                      3
                                    4. GBUS 643
                                      3
                                    5. GBUS 738
                                      3

                                    Graduate Course Suggestions

                                    12 items
                                    1. ASTR 601
                                      3
                                    2. PHYS 502
                                      3
                                    3. PHYS 510
                                      3
                                    4. PHYS 513
                                      3
                                    5. PHYS 534
                                      3
                                    6. PHYS 591
                                      3
                                    7. PHYS 613
                                      3
                                    8. PHYS 620
                                      3
                                    9. PHYS 683
                                      3
                                    10. PHYS 684
                                      3
                                    11. PHYS 685
                                      3
                                    12. PHYS 690
                                      3

                                    Advanced Standing Courses

                                    0 items

                                      Select from the following options:

                                      0 items

                                        Up to one 500-600 level specialized course from the following:

                                        19 items
                                        1. ASTR 601
                                          3
                                        2. BINF 690
                                          3
                                        3. CS 583
                                          3
                                        4. CS 630
                                          3
                                        5. CS 635
                                          3
                                        6. CSI 690
                                          3
                                        7. ECE 511
                                          3
                                        8. ECE 547
                                          3
                                        9. ECE 633
                                          3
                                        10. ECE 647
                                          3
                                        11. GGS 579
                                          3
                                        12. MATH 625
                                          3
                                        13. MATH 685
                                          3
                                        14. MATH 686
                                          3
                                        15. OR 541
                                          3
                                        16. OR 542
                                          3
                                        17. OR 646
                                          3
                                        18. PHYS 510
                                          3
                                        19. PHYS 613
                                          3

                                        Remaining credits are selected from the following:

                                        7 items
                                        1. QSE 500
                                          3
                                        2. QSE 501
                                          Mathematical Foundations of QSE
                                          As published: “Mathematical Foundations of QSE 1”
                                          3
                                        3. QSE 502
                                          Programming Foundations of QSE
                                          As published: “Programming Foundations of QSE 1”
                                          3
                                        4. QSE 505
                                          3
                                        5. QSE 511
                                          3
                                        6. QSE 520
                                          3
                                        7. QSE 570
                                          Quantum Computing System Design
                                          or: ECE 570 Quantum Computing System Design
                                          3

                                        Reserve Credit Courses

                                        0 items

                                          Select up to 6 credits of not previously completed courses from the following:

                                          7 items
                                          1. QSE 500
                                            3
                                          2. QSE 501
                                            Mathematical Foundations of QSE
                                            As published: “Mathematical Foundations of QSE 1”
                                            3
                                          3. QSE 502
                                            Programming Foundations of QSE
                                            As published: “Programming Foundations of QSE 1”
                                            3
                                          4. QSE 505
                                            3
                                          5. QSE 511
                                            3
                                          6. QSE 520
                                            3
                                          7. QSE 570
                                            Quantum Computing System Design
                                            or: ECE 570 Quantum Computing System Design
                                            3
                                          Source. George Mason University, catalog 2026-2027 — https://catalog.gmu.edu/colleges-schools/science/physics-astronomy/physics-bs/. Captured page pages/0481.html.gz. Assembled from the institution's published catalog as captured; every record names its captured page and source URL. Assembled, not asserted.