APAM Applied Physics
Possible Barnard 4+1 APAM Applied Physics Pathway - Barnard Physics (July 2025)
The Barnard 4+1 Pathway in Physics & Applied Physics, Applied Math (APAM), is offered to current Barnard College juniors with a GPA of 3.5 or higher who are interested in applying to the Columbia Master of Science program Applied Physics in APAM. Students should inquire with Beyond Barnard and plan on attending an introductory information session for the unique specific 4+1 Pathway they may be interested in pursuing. Each introductory session will be led by Barnard faculty advisors, who will be available to provide an overview of the program and its requirements, the admission process, and to advise students.
The Columbia MS program requirements are detailed in the Columbia Engineering bulletin and are also available on the APAM Applied Physics Department website:
- Department website: https://www.apam.columbia.edu/ms-applied-physics
Faculty contact at Barnard: Prof. Reshmi Mukherjee, rmukherj@barnard.edu
Faculty contact in APAM Applied Physics: Prof. Carlos Pas Soldan, carlos.pazsoldan@columbia.edu
Application Requirements:
Official transcripts
Personal statement
Resume or CV
Contact information for three reference providers
Deadline: February 15th of your Junior year
Courses at Barnard: Physics Major Requirements are shown in black. Applied physics pre-requirements are italicized
Fall
PHYS BC2001 Intro Mechanics
Note that Calc I-IV are cognate courses and are no longer "required" for the Physics major. These courses are simply taken, inevitably, as co-reqs for PHYS 2001 & PHYS 2002, PHYS 3001
Spring
PHYS BC2002 Intro Electricity & Magnetism
Note that Calc I-IV are cognate courses and are no longer "required" for the Physics major. These courses are simply taken, inevitably, as co-reqs for PHYS 2001 & PHYS 2002, PHYS 3001
COMS W1006 Intro-Computer Program in Python (this can be taken either Fall or Spring semester)
APMA 2000 (Multi-variable calculus as a replacement for Calc III and Calc IV) (Recommendation)
Fall
PHYS BC3001 Classical Waves lecture and lab
MATH APMA2000 Multivariable Calculus (this can be taken either Fall or Spring Semester) (Recommendation)
Spring
PHYS BC3006 Quantum Physics
PHYS BC3086 Quantum Physics Lab
MATH UN2030 Ordinary Differential Equations
Fall; Apply for 4+1 Program
PHYS UN3007 Electricity & Magnetism
PHYS BC3088 Advanced Electromagnetism Lab
Linear Algebra (or APMA3101)
Spring
PHYS UN3008 Electricity Magnetism & Optics
PHYS UN 3003 Mechanics (if not taken in sophomore year)
APMA 3102 Partial Differential Equations
One APPH MS Core course
Fall
PHYS GU4023 Thermal & Statistical Physics
1 - 2 APPH MS Core courses
Spring
Students should consult with their advisor about which specialization they are interested to pursue in their AP MS program and then take at least one of the following courses:
Possible MS tracks specializations in Applied Physics and courses that might be taken:
The Applied Physics Masters program does not require pursuing a specific program track, but current courses are available in the current bulletin and on the APAM website: https://www.apam.columbia.edu/ms-applied-physics
The MS program consists of 30 points of credit, with a minimum of 4 courses chosen from the AP MS core