Physics Major

The mission of the undergraduate program in Physics is to provide students with a strong foundation in both classical and modern physics. The goal of the program is to develop both quantitative problem solving skills and the ability to conceive experiments and analyze and interpret data. These abilities are acquired through both course work and opportunities to conduct independent research. The program prepares students for careers in fields that benefit from quantitative and analytical thinking, including physics, engineering, teaching, medicine, law, science writing, and science policy, in government or the private sector. In some cases, the path to this career will be through an advanced degree in physics or a professional program.

For B.S. in Engineering Physics information use this link

B.S. In Physics

To help in deciding where to start in the introductory Physics sequences, take the Physics Placement Diagnostic to receive sound advice.  If you have questions about interpreting the advice, send an email to choosingphysics [at] stanford.edu (choosingphysics[at]stanford[dot]edu).  

To complete the Physics or Engineering Physics major in four years, students must complete MATH 21 and PHYSICS 41 & 43 (or AP or other equivalent) no later than their Frosh year, and complete MATH 51, 52, 53 (or MATH 61CM 62CM, 63CM) and PHYSICS 61 + 61L, 71 + (79L or 89L), 81 + (81L or 71L) no later than their Sophomore year.  See these six plans for starting the Physics or Engineering Physics major. For more advice, see this extensive list of Physics advising resources.  

Students who have had previous college-level courses should make an advising appointment for placement and possible transfer credit by sending an email to  choosingphysics [at] stanford.edu (choosingphysics[at]stanford[dot]edu). For advanced placement advice, see the Registrar's website.

If you are ready to declare,  send an email to choosingphysics [at] stanford.edu (choosingphysics[at]stanford[dot]edu) to set up a meeting with the Physics pre-major advisor.

To learn more about the Physics major, please refer to the Stanford Bulletin.

Capstone Experience

The capstone in the major requirement is effective for the class of 2025. This applies to:

• Undergraduates who matriculate as freshmen in AY 2021-22 or later, and who will graduate in AY 2024-25 or later
• Transfer students who enter in AY 2022-23 or AY 2023-24 and who will graduate in AY 2024-25 or later

Students must complete ONE of the following three options to fulfill the Capstone requirement for the Physics major.

1. Complete a Senior thesis. The requirements for a Senior thesis are listed in the Senior Thesis and Honors information webpage. Please note that to fulfill the Capstone requirement using this option, it is unnecessary to meet the other requirements for Honors (e.g., GPA requirements). Thus, a student can complete the Capstone requirement with this option even if they are not graduating with Honors.
2. Complete a research project plus a Capstone paper. Students carry out a physics-related research project, which can be pursued at Stanford or another institution during the summer quarter or the academic year. During their junior or senior year, the student submits a proposal describing the topic of their Capstone paper based on their research project and identifying their research advisor. The Director must approve the proposal for Undergraduate Studies. After this approval, the student writes a Capstone paper. This paper can be written for either PHYSICS191 (WIM) or PHYSICS192. If the student chooses to write the paper in Physics 191, it will be written for one of the assignments in the style of a journal article (e.g., Physics Review Letters). If the student chooses instead to write the paper in Physics 192, then the student enrolls in that course with the official research advisor as the instructor.   If the project is carried out with an advisor at another institution, the student must identify an official advisor who is a faculty member in the Physics Department at Stanford to write their Capstone paper. If the project is carried out with a faculty member at Stanford who is not in the Physics department, then that advisor can serve as the instructor for Physics 192.
3. Complete at least one of the following three courses: PHYSICS100, PHYSICS108, or PHYSICS171. Note that Physics 100 and Physics 108 may have limited enrollment, so students planning to use one to fulfill their Capstone requirement should have a backup plan in case they cannot enroll in one of these courses. Physics 100, Physics 108, or Physics 171 may be counted for both the Capstone requirement and a pathway requirement for the Physics major.  This is the only instance in which a course can double-count for two different requirements.