Physics

Who should take the placement exam:
Students majoring in the sciences for premedical, pre-engineering, and other professional programs, and others who desire a more analytical approach to physics, have two tracks to choose from. Students with little prior exposure to physics may prefer to begin with PHYS 0108 (Physics of Motion), followed by PHYS 0111 (Waves, Optics, and Thermodynamics) or PHYS 0114 (Electricity and Magnetism). Students who have successfully completed high school physics and calculus courses should instead opt for PHYS 0109 (Introductory Mechanics), a more accelerated version of introductory Newtonian mechanics than PHYS 0108. [Source and additional information: https://www.middlebury.edu/college/academics/physics/requirements]

Exam components:
If you are planning to register for either mechanics course, please review the

PHYSICS placement information online (go.middlebury.edu/physicsplacement)

and the MATH placement information online (go.middlebury.edu/mathplacement).

Then fill out the physics placement survey form with information about your math/physics background (go.middlebury.edu/PHYSplacementform). Registration often requires waivers or overrides, and this survey can help identify situations for which an override is needed.

Filling out this survey does not yet guarantee you a seat in either class, but it helps us match students with any spaces that are available.  If necessary, we will contact you via email with any questions we might have about your survey responses.

Contact window:
May 15, 2024 - June 15, 2024

Contact with questions:
Physics Department Chair, pdc@middlebury.edu