Study Abroad

General Considerations:

Study abroad can be a life changing experience, and we encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity while you are at St. Lawrence. It is possible to do so with careful planning. Below we outline straightforward ways to pursue this opportunity and major in Physics or an Engineering Combined program.

• Recommendations:

  • Physics majors should plan to travel abroad in the spring of their junior year or the fall of their senior year.
  • Engineering Combined students should plan to travel abroad in the spring of their junior year.
  • Students planning to pursue graduate work in physics should plan to travel abroad in the fall of their senior year to insure adequate preparation for graduate school.

The following schedules list only the basic courses required for the physics major, but they will allow you to pursue travel abroad opportunities. 

Fall Semester of Senior Year Abroad

This option is most flexible and is most appropriate for Physics majors.

• First Year

  • Fall Semester
    • Phys 151 – University Physics
    • Math 135 – Calculus I
  • Spring Semester
    • Phys 152 – University Physics
    • Math 136 – Calculus II

• Sophomore Year

  • Fall Semester
    • Phys 221 – Modern Physics
    • Math 205 – Multivariable Calculus
  • Spring Semester
    • Phys 222 – Modern Physics
    • Math 230 – Differential Equations or Math 217 – Linear Algebra (optional)

• Junior Year

  • Fall Semester
    • Phys 307 – Classical Mechanics
    • Phys 317 – Instrumentation Lab
    • Phys 333 – Mathematical Methods of Physics
  • Spring Semester
    • Phys 308 – Electricity and Magnetism OR Phys 401 – Quantum Mechanics
    • Phys 318 – Electronics Lab

• Senior Year

  • Fall Semester
    • Abroad
  • Spring Semester
    • Phys 401 – Quantum Mechanics OR Phys 308 – Electricity and Magnetism
    • Phys 489 – Senior Research

Spring Semester of Junior Year Abroad

Travel abroad in the spring of the junior year is recommended for Engineering Combined students. This is possible for specific abroad programs that allow you to take a 300-level physics class that we will substitute for Phys 308 or Phys 401 with prior permission. The programs that have this option are the following: Australia, New Zealand, Trinidad/Tobago, and China.

• First Year

  • Fall Semester
    • Phys 151 – University Physics
    • Math 135 – Calculus I
  • Spring Semester
    • Phys 152 – University Physics
    • Math 136 – Calculus II

• Sophomore Year

  • Fall Semester
    • Phys 221 – Modern Physics
    • Math 205 – Multivariable Calculus
  • Spring Semester
    • Phys 222 – Modern Physics
    • Math 230 – Differential Equations or Math 217 – Linear Algebra (optional)
    • Phys 318 – Electronics Lab

• Junior Year

  • Fall Semester
    • Phys 307 – Classical Mechanics
    • Phys 317 – Instrumentation Lab 
    • Phys 333 – Mathematical Methods of Physics
  • Spring Semester
    • Abroad
    • Take an approved 300-level Physics course while abroad.

• Senior Year

  • Fall Semester
    • Phys 489 – SYE: Advanced Lab
  • Spring Semester
    • Phys 308 – Electricity and Magnetism OR Phys 401 – Quantum Mechanics
    • Phys 490 – SYE: Advanced Lab (optional second semester of research)