The Department of Physics and Astronomy offer two minors: Minor in Physics and Minor in Astronomy.
Students majoring in Physics or Engineering Physics have a range of attractive options to complete a minor in another discipline or a second major. Below is a sample list of minors in SCSE that require five or fewer additional courses. Some of them can be extended into second majors, as the minor may include the gateway courses to upper level electives.
Potential minors for Physics majors
Astronomy Minor
- How: one course AST 2050, and you double-count the electives
- Why: astronomy is why you were interested in physics in the first place!
- Gateway to: you took all the astro courses; now do a research project or work in the Planetarium!
Computer Science Minor
- How: five additional courses IF you choose CS 1612 as your programming course
- Why: data science, machine learning, information technology
- Gateway: the math gateway course MATH 3355 is one of the courses for the CS minor. Also you might like PHYS 4052 or 5053 as an elective
Energy Engineering Minor
- How: five additional courses (four if you take ME2211 for sustainability); take Chemistry your first year
- Why: sustainable energy, electrical grid, nuclear energy
- Gateway to: PHYS 5531 or lots of applied EE electives
Electrical Engineering Minor
- How: four additional courses because we will waive the PHYS 3061 requirement in their place
- Why: circuits, robotics, instrumentation/telescope control and data acquisition
- Gateway: take Phys5531 or lots of applied EE electives
Environmental Science Minor
- How: four additional courses from a long list
- Why: make a difference for your neighborhood and planet
- Gateway to: lots of different hands-on or modeling research projects where you can have high impact
Materials Science and Engineering Minor
- How: four additional courses if you double count PHYS 4031 and either PHYS 5041 or PHYS 5531 for your major
- Why: it has elements of a chemistry minor but fewer courses and faster access to electives
- Gateway: it is packed with electives, but be careful to check their prerequisites
Math Minor
- How: two additional courses including MATH 3355; the rest of them are already required for the physics major
- Why: math is a fun part of physics!
- Gateway to: upper level math courses, or leaves room for the most physics electives.
Several additional minor options require six or more courses. Most options above are already gateways to more electives, so you don’t have to stop at the minimum. Consider CS+Math, Chemistry, or Biology. Some of our students also completed an art history minor and linguistics, philosophy, french, and english second majors. Second degrees of our physics faculty include CS, music, and philosophy.