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How to prepare to major in physics at FSU

The best experience for an undergraduate physics major at FSU includes a full slate of elective courses that examine current physics research at the cutting edge and a substantial undergraduate research experience where the student becomes an integral and important member of a world-leading research group. Students who arrive for their first semester of college prepared to begin with the "standard" program of Calculus I (MAC 2311), General Physics A (PHY 2048C) and Discovering Physics (PHY 1090) have the best chance of taking advantage of these opportunities and of making themselves most attractive to strong graduate programs and employers after graduation.

As mentioned above, the "standard" program of studies for a physics major at FSU begins with Calculus I (MAC 2311), General Physics A (PHY 2048C) and Discovering Physics (PHY 1090) during the first semester. To prepare for this, a student entering FSU for her or his first semester in college should make sure that credit for MAC 1140 (Precalculus Algebra) and MAC 1114 (Analytic Trigonometry) has been earned prior to registration for the first semester at FSU. Credit for MAC 1147 (Precalculus Algebra and Trigonometry) can substitute for MAC 1140 and MAC 1114.

International Baccalaureate (IB) students may earn credit for MAC 1147 by achieving a score of 4 or better on the IB Mathematics examination. A student earning a score of 6 or 7 on this examination also receives credit for Calculus I (MAC 2311) and begins the FSU Physics program with an advantage in the area of mathematics. A score of 5 or better on the IB Mathematics-Methods examination earns credit for MAC 1140. Such a student would still be required to complete MAC 1114 prior to registration for Calculus I at FSU.

Students can also earn credit for precalculus algebra and trigonometry through the College Level Examination Program (CLEP). A student earning a score of 50 or better on the CLEP Precalculus examination receives credit for MAC 1147 and is prepared for registration in Calculus I at FSU.

Students entering with advanced placement credit for Calculus I (by earning a score of 3 or better on the Calculus AB or Calculus BC examinations) also begin the FSU Physics program with an advantage in the area of mathematics.

A first-time college student who arrives at FSU needing to take MAC 1140 and MAC 1114 prior to registration for MAC 2311 can "catch up" by taking both MAC 1140 and MAC 1114 in the first (fall) semester, taking MAC 2311 and PHY 2048C in the spring semester, and then MAC 2312 (Calculus II) and PHY 2049C (General Physics B) during the summer.