(updated August 23, 2023)

A minor in physics appeals to students who have an interest in physics but intend to pursue a degree in some other field. If this other field is a technical discipline, it is likely that it already requires two or three of the courses needed for a minor in physics and at least eight of the expected seventeen credits. A student may confer with the academic advisor for the physics minor to select courses with a particular focus, such as biophysics, condensed matter physics, quantum physics, particle-astrophysics-cosmology, experimental physics, theoretical/mathematical physics, and more.

PHYSICS MINOR PROGRAM (effective fall 2021)*

PHYS 121 (or 115 or 123) and PHYS 122 (or 116 or 124) and PHYS 221 plus at least one additional 200 or higher-level course and one 300-level course, excluding the following:

PHYS 260, 314, 329**, 333, 339**, 386**, 390**.

*A student’s Academic Requirements page in SIS and the University’s General Bulletin, http://bulletin.case.edu/ and https://bulletin.case.edu/bulletinarchives/ are the definitive sources for course and degree information for their individual Academic Requirement Term (normally the year of matriculation to CWRU). The minor was modified for the entering class of fall 2021; students who matriculated earlier may use the rules in place for your entering class or our newer policies.

** PHYS 329, 339, 386 and 390 might be allowed to count towards a minor in physics on an individual basis based on the specific content of the course taken by the student, with approval of the academic advisor for the minor.

*** Students sometimes worry about double-counting courses for a physics minor and for other purposes, such as technical electives in a Case School of Engineering degree program.  This is generally not a problem.  From Dean of Undergraduate Studies, J. Wolcowitz on 11/28/2018:  There are no global rules about double-counting courses toward majors and minors.  Many programs establish a limit of six credit-hours than can double-count.  Neither the CSE nor the Physics Department has such a limit.

For more information, contact Prof. Harsh Mathur harsh.mathur@case.edu.