Applied Physics

Director of undergraduate studies: Daniel Prober, 417 BCT, 432-4280; appliedphysics.yale.edu

Physics is the study of the fundamental laws of nature. Applied physics uses these laws to understand phenomena that have practical applications. Engineering in turn makes use of these phenomena for human purposes. Applied physics thus forms a link between the fundamental laws of nature and their applications. Students majoring in Applied Physics take courses in both physics and engineering, as well as courses specifically in applied physics. Students completing the program in Applied Physics are prepared for graduate study in applied physics, in physics, in nanoscience, or in engineering, and, with appropriate prerequisites, in medicine; or they may choose careers in a wide range of technical and commercial fields, or in fields such as technical writing or patent law that draw on interdisciplinary subjects.

Contemporary physical science and engineering are becoming increasingly interdisciplinary. Traditional boundaries between fields have blurred, and new areas are constantly emerging, e.g., nanotechnology. The Applied Physics major provides a flexible framework on which students can build a curriculum tailored to their own interests, in consultation with the director of undergraduate studies (DUS).

Prerequisites 

During their first year, students interested in Applied Physics should start by taking courses in mathematics, and in physics if possible, appropriate to their level of preparation. The choice between different starting points is generally made on the basis of performance on Advanced Placement tests. The multiplicity of choices facing students interested in this general area indicates the importance of informed advice for first-year students. Students should consult freely with DUSes and individual faculty members in their departments of interest to optimize choices and to ensure maximum flexibility at the time a major is selected.

The required prerequisites for students interested in Applied Physics include two physics courses and one physics lab; APHY 151 or MATH 120; and PHYS 301 (or APHY 194 with either MATH 222 or MATH 225 or MATH 226).

The recommended starting courses in physics are PHYS 200 and 201. These courses should be taken in the first year by students who have a strong preparation in mathematics and physics. Students with a particularly strong background in physics and mathematics may take PHYS 260 and 261 instead. Students who are less well prepared in physics and mathematics may choose to take PHYS 180 and 181 during their first year, or PHYS 200 and 201 during their sophomore year after they have taken more mathematics courses. One laboratory course, PHYS 166L or 206L, should be taken at some time during the first or second year.

Requirements of the Major

The major in Applied Physics requires eight courses beyond the introductory sequence. Two of these must be APHY 471 and 472. All majors are also required to take APHY 322, 439, and 420, or equivalents. The three remaining advanced courses should focus on a particular area of concentration. For example, a student interested in solid-state and/or quantum electronics might choose from APHY 321, 448, 449, EENG 320, and 325. A student interested in the physics of materials and/or nanoscience might choose from APHY 448, 449, CHEM 220, and MENG 285. Many other concentrations are possible.

Credit/D/FailAll courses required for the major, beyond the prerequisites, must be taken for a letter grade, with the single exception that one such course may be taken Credit/D/Fail with permission of the DUS. The senior special projects, APHY 471 and 472, may only be taken for a letter grade.

Senior Requirement

Seniors must complete an independent research project, taken as APHY 471 and 472. The independent research project is under the supervision of a faculty member in Applied Physics, Physics, Engineering, or related departments. The project may be started in the junior year and continued into the senior year. Students planning to do a research project should contact the DUS as early as possible to discuss available options and general requirements.

Advising

The Applied Physics major provides for various programs corresponding to a range of student interests. Substitutions of equivalent courses may be permitted. Students interested in an Applied Physics major should contact the DUS as early as possible, and in any case by the end of their sophomore year.

A well-prepared student interested in materials physics or quantum electronics who starts the senior research in the junior year might elect the following course sequence:

A student interested in alternative energy who starts physics in the sophomore year and conducts research in the senior year might elect:

REQUIREMENTS OF THE MAJOR

PrerequisitesPHYS 180, 181, or 200, 201, with appropriate math coreqs and PHYS 166L or 206L; APHY 151 or MATH 120; PHYS 301 (or APHY 194 with either MATH 222 or MATH 225 or MATH 226)

Number of courses8 term courses beyond prereqs (incl senior req)

Distribution of courses3 adv courses in physical or mathematical sciences or engineering in area of concentration, with DUS approval

Specific courses requiredAPHY 322, 439, 420, or equivalents

Substitution permittedAny relevant course approved by DUS

Senior requirementAPHY 471 and 472

• $80 application fee or fee waiver
• Recommendations from two teachers and one counselor
• School Report with transcript
• Standardized test results (ACT or SAT) - not required for fall 2023 admission. (See below)
• English proficiency test results - required for non-native English-speakers (See below)
• Mid-Year Report & Final Report

See additional details about these required application components below.

Please note that if your application materials include any documents that are not in English, you must provide an official English translation in addition to the original documents.

$80 application fee or fee waiver

Applicants should pay the $80 application fee via the Common Application or Coalition Application website.

Applicants using the Common Application or Coalition Application may request that the application fee be waived. Learn more on the fee waiver page. The fee waiver scale is based on family size and income in US dollars but is applicable to all international students.

Recommendations from two teachers and one counselor

Request recommendations from two teachers who have taught you in core academic subjects (e.g. English, Foreign Language, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies) who know you well, and who have seen you at your best. It is preferable, but not required, that recommendations come from teachers who have taught you during your final or next-to-final year of secondary school.

Also request a recommendation from your school’s college counselor. If your counselor does not know you well, the recommendation may still provide helpful contextual information about your school and its academic programs. If your school does not have someone serving as a college counselor, please request a recommendation from a school administrator such as a house master, principal, or academic advisor. 

School Report with transcript

Your counselor or other school official should submit a School Report with an official transcript that includes all your secondary school courses. If a question on the School Report form is not applicable to your secondary school, leave it blank. 

Recommendations and transcripts should be submitted electronically through the Common Application or Coalition Application website. If necessary, teachers and counselors may also submit their recommendations and transcripts via mail or digital upload. Recommendations may be sent before or after you submit your application; materials that arrive before your application will be kept on file. The admissions office will make reasonable allowances for late school documents in situations where it is not possible for teachers and counselors to meet the application deadlines.

Standardized test results

In response to the extraordinary circumstances associated with the pandemic, Yale has temporarily suspended its requirement that first-year and transfer applicants submit results from the ACT or SAT. The change will be in effect during the 2022-23 admissions cycles for applicants who intend to matriculate in fall 2023. 

More information on Yale’s test policies is available on the standardized testing page. Standardized tests are just one component of a student’s application and are viewed within the context of the student’s entire file. There is no minimum score required for admission, nor is there a score that will guarantee admission.

English proficiency exams

Yale requires that non-native English-speakers who have not taken at least two years of secondary education where English is the medium of instruction submit the results from any of the proficiency tests listed below.

The TOEFL requires pre-registration for available testing dates. Yale’s most competitive applicants have scores of at least 100 on the internet-based TOEFL.

The IELTS offers proficiency tests in locations around the world. Pre-registration is required. Yale’s most competitive applicants have IELTS scores of 7 or higher.

Cambridge English exams are available at testing locations around the world. Pre-registration is required. Yale’s most competitive applicants have Cambridge English scores of 185 or higher on the C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency, or B2 First exams.

Applicants may submit the Duolingo English Test (DET), which combines an English proficiency test with a brief video interview. Duolingo’s technology and format allows applicants to complete the test at any time or place with internet access. Yale’s most competitive applicants have DET scores of at least 120.

InitialView provides live, unscripted video interviews that candidates may submit to colleges for consideration with other application materials. Interview times must be reserved in advance. There is no scoring associated with these interviews.

Mid-Year Report & Final Report

Students who do not receive new secondary school grades by February 1, including students who have already completed secondary school, are not required to submit a Mid-Year Report. This includes many international students. Applicants who receive new grades by February 1 should submit a Mid-Year Report.

Only admitted students are required to submit the Final Report, which provides final secondary school grades and examination marks. Admitted students submit the Final Report in the summer before fall matriculation.

If your secondary school provides predicted results for external exams such as A-levels, the International Baccalaureate, and other international or national testing organizations, they should be submitted by your school alongside your transcript or Mid-Year Report.

All applicants for first-year admission must submit one of the following:

• The Coalition Application with Yale-Specific Questions
• The Common Application with Yale-Specific Questions
• The QuestBridge National College Match Application

Yale will accept any one of these applications, without preference for one over another. Students should submit one—and only one—application per admissions cycle.