Physical Science

(for 2012–2013 academic year)

Adviser M. E. Parks

Students taking courses in chemistry, mathematics, and physics who do not wish to major in only one of them should consider a physical science interdisciplinary major. The major consists of thirteen courses divided among the three subjects.

The usual program is to complete CHEM 101, 102, MATH 111, 112, 113, and PHYS 131, 232, 233 by the end of the sophomore year. After that, five more courses, which must be approved by the major adviser, are taken. One of these must be a chemistry course and one must be a physics course; three must be at the 300 level or higher.

Students who receive Colgate credit, either through advanced placement or through transfer credit, for any courses that would normally count toward the major are allowed to apply that credit toward the major. Students who place into a higher-level course without receiving credit for the introductory course will be required to take another course in order to bring the total number of courses taken in the major to thirteen. The alternative course need not be in the same department as the one exempted, but it must be at the 200, 300, or 400 level.