What College Majors Require Calc-Based Physics?

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High school physics teachers are exploring college majors that require calculus-based physics beyond the typical fields of physics and engineering. Notable majors include pre-med, architecture, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, and geology, although requirements can vary significantly between institutions. Some pre-med programs require calculus-based physics, while architecture may only need algebra-based physics. To effectively guide students, it is recommended to consult course catalogs from local colleges to understand specific requirements for various majors. This approach allows teachers to provide accurate information and help students navigate their options.
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I am a high school physics teacher and course sign ups for next year are coming soon. I am trying to find college majors that require calculus based physics in their coursework. Obviously physics majors and engineers. What are some other big ones? I think some premed are required to take it? Architects? Computer Science? Math? Geology? I am looking for majors not based off of the physics department. I am sorry if something like this has been posted already. I never have luck searching forums.
 
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Sorry not sure exactly what you're asking.
If you are looking for subjects other than physics that use calculus at college level.
Then almost all of engineering and physical chemistry.

Which courses at which institutions require student to have some experience/exam/certificate in calculus to admit them will depend on the individual instution
 
I currently teach AP Physics C, calculus based physics. To help improve my class size numbers, I am trying to find as many college majors as possible that have calculus based physics in it besides engineering and physics. But you just stated one for me, chemistry. Thanks you.
 
At a lot of schools, pre-medical students have to take calculus-based physics.
 
Since for majors other than physics and engineering, the physics requirements vary (for instance our university requires only algebra-based physics for architecture students and pre-med/pre-vet students... and chemistry, computer science and many math students take a calc-based truncated sequence of only two terms), if I were you, I'd get the course catalogs for some institutions in your region and use those to do your research, since these are the programs your students are most likely to enter. Then you can reference those catalogs and even show students how to determine this information themselves. Nowadays, most universities have their catalogs online.
 
physics girl phd said:
Since for majors other than physics and engineering, the physics requirements vary (for instance our university requires only algebra-based physics for architecture students and pre-med/pre-vet students... and chemistry, computer science and many math students take a calc-based truncated sequence of only two terms), if I were you, I'd get the course catalogs for some institutions in your region and use those to do your research, since these are the programs your students are most likely to enter. Then you can reference those catalogs and even show students how to determine this information themselves. Nowadays, most universities have their catalogs online.


I did that for a few majors and it seems to vary from college to college. Sometimes they have a physics class based class for that major or just don't require calculus based physics at all.
 
https://www.aapt.org/Conferences/ lists the next set of conferences 2026 Winter Meeting - January 17 - 19, Las Vegas, Nevada 2026 Summer Meeting - July 18 - 22, Pasadena, California 2027 Winter Meeting - January 9 - 12, New Orleans, Louisiana 2027 Summer Meeting - July 31 - August 4, Washington, DC I won't be attending the 2026 Winter Meeting in Las Vegas... For me, it's too close to the start of the semester. https://www.aapt.org/Conferences/wm2026/index.cfm...
Hi all, I am in the process of adding physics to my teachable subjects, and I have a project due soon where I have been asked to improve upon a Leaving Certificate Physics experiment. The only thing is I haven't actually taught physics yet, and was wondering if any teachers could share their thoughts on the experiments and any challenges you have faced or any improvements you would like to see made to the experiments.
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