Physics Honors Program

Letters and Science Physics majors with an upper-division major GPA of 3.50 may earn academic credit by pursuing a bachelor's honors thesis by enrolling in one of the following courses: Physics 142L, 143L, 145L, 198, and 199.

Bachelor's Honors Thesis (Distinction in Major, L&S)

Students must submit a signed honors thesis proposal form to the faculty member or principal investigator (PI) for approval three quarters before the thesis is submitted. It is recommended that students discuss plans to pursue an honors thesis with their PI before the beginning of their junior year. Completion of an honors thesis involves developing a research project under the supervision of a PI, presenting a public seminar describing the work, and submitting a formal written report to the PI for grading and approval.

Recommended Courses

It is also recommended that (if applicable) Physics 127AL and 128AL be taken in the junior year so that thesis candidates can concentrate on thesis research in the senior year. While you may petition PHYS 128AL requirements for thesis work based on experimental research, those who are conducting theoretical research are required to complete Physics 128AL.

 Please note: L&S Physics majors will receive Distinction in the Major by completing the bachelor's honors thesis program.