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Physics Registration FAQ for Spring 2025

REGISTRATION FAQ FOR PHYSICS MAJORS

We receive a large volume of emails during the course registration period, and we have created this page to help with frequently asked questions (FAQ).

Please contact the department office at physics@tcnj.edu if the answer to your question is not provided on this page.

Special information for students interested in PHY 201/202 – A waitlist is being kept for both PHY 201 and PHY 202.  If you are interested in taking either of these courses, and there are no seats available by the time of your enrollment appointment, you will need to wait until your registration day (which can be found in PAWS), at which point you can fill out the corresponding waitlist form linked below.  Keep in mind that priority will be given to students who are seniors, and students who need either of these classes for their major requirements.  Enrollment in these courses for students on the waitlists will not take place until after the end of the registration period in the later half of November/December.

Waitlist Form for PHY 201

Waitlist Form for PHY 202

PHY122 and PHY202 enrollments for BIO, KHS, and CompSci students:

Principles of Physics II (PHY122) or General Physics II (PHY202) can be used to help prepare for the MCAT exam and to satisfy medical school & physical therapy graduate program requirements.  PHY122 (algebra-based) can be taken following either PHY121 or PHY201.  PHY202 should only be taken following PHY201.

PHY202 does include integral calculus in solving physics problems, so MAT128 (Calc. B) is the recommended pre or co-requisite Math class.  MAT128 is the required pre/co-req. for all majors outside BIO, CompSci, and KHS due to department and accreditation standards.  For BIO, KHS, and CompSci students who can’t fit MAT128 into their schedule, enrollment in PHY202 will be permitted if the following three conditions are met***:

  1. Minimum prior or current grade of B in MAT127 (or equivalent transfer credit)
  2. Minimum prior or current grade of B in PHY201 (or equivalent transfer credit)
  3. Acknowledgement of responsibility to learn and apply integral calculus in PHY202

***Students wishing to enroll in PHY202 without MAT128 & meeting all 3 conditions above should fill out the Google Form linked below by Monday, November 4th:

Form for KHS/BIO/CompSci Students Needing PHY 202 in Spring 2025

Why can’t I get into PHY 103?

Physical, Earth and Space Science (PHY 103) is reserved for Elementary Education majors.

Why can’t I get into PHY 120?

This introductory Geology course fills quickly and if you are not a senior or a rising Sophomore Civil Engineer you may have to wait to take it.  You can also satisfy your liberal learning Natural Science with Lab requirement with PHY 162 or PHY 163, as well as PHY 171.  We do not keep a wait list for PHY 120.

Information for students seeking transfer credit for Physics courses not taken at TCNJ:

If the course is listed on NJ Transfer, there is nothing else you need to do.

If the course is not listed on NJ Transfer, fill out a Course Authorization Form.  Forward the form and a copy of the course syllabus to the physics program assistant at physics@tcnj.edu.

Note: Eligible equivalent courses for TCNJ’s PHY 201/202 must be calculus-based, and must include a laboratory experience.

Special information for courses taken at Rutgers:  Rutgers physics courses 201/203 (lecture/lab) and 202/204 (lecture/lab) are equivalent to TCNJ’s PHY 201 and PHY 202.

Contact

Physics Department
Science Complex, Room P123
The College of New Jersey
P.O. Box 7718
2000 Pennington Rd.
Ewing, NJ 08628

609.771.2569

physics@tcnj.edu

Department Office

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