BS Physics and Geosciences at Yale University

Programme overview

The major in Physics and Geosciences applies fundamental physical principles to the study of the Earth and other planetary bodies, synthesizing concepts and methods from both the Physics and the Earth and Planetary Sciences majors.

Faculty: Yale College | Duration: Thirty-six term courses in eight terms of enrollment (Yale College bachelor's degree) | Study mode: full-time | Location: New Haven, CT, United States

What you will study

Number of courses: At least 12.5 course credits beyond prereqs, incl senior req. Specific courses required: PHYS 2060L ; PHYS 4010 and PHYS 4020 , or PHYS 4100 , PHYS 4300 , and PHYS 4500 ; PHYS 4390 or PHYS 4400. Distribution of courses: 1 elective numbered PHYS 3000 or above; 1 intro course in EPS 1000-1400, with lab, as specified; 1 elective course numbered EPS 2000 or above; 4 advanced courses in an EPS track, as specified. Senior requirement: Senior project in PHYS 4710 and 4720 or EPS 4900 and EPS 4910 , on topic acceptable to both depts; oral report on project to both depts or equivalent

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Admission is to Yale College, not to this major (applies to all Yale College programmes). Yale College requires letters of recommendation, a school report with transcript, and ACT or SAT scores; applicants who are non-native English speakers without two or more years in an English-medium school must also submit an English proficiency test (TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge English or Duolingo English Test). Major prerequisite: MATH 1200 or equivalent; PHYS 1700 , PHYS 1710 or above; PHYS 2050L ; 1 of ENAS 1940 , MATH 2460 , or PHYS 4000.

USD 72,500 a year (2026-27). Yale College 2026-2027 tuition (single rate for all Yale College students). Excludes housing, food, optional health insurance, student activities fee and class dues. Source

First-year and transfer applicants apply to begin in the fall semester.

First-year applicants apply through the Common Application, the Coalition Application on SCOIR or the QuestBridge Application. Single-Choice Early Action deadline: November 1. QuestBridge National College Match deadline: November 1. Regular Decision deadline: January 2. Yale does not advantage students by program.

First-year and transfer applicants must include ACT or SAT scores (testing is required); neither exam is preferred.

Transfer applicants submit the Transfer Common Application by March 1 to enter as sophomores or juniors.

Graduate School of Arts and Sciences deadlines (all 11:59 pm Eastern) for fall 2027: December 1, 2026 (e.g. BBS, Chemistry, Economics, History, Linguistics, Psychology, Public Health, Statistics); December 15, 2026 (e.g. American Studies, Anthropology, Applied Physics, Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science PhD, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Law, Management, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Political Science, Sociology); January 2, 2027 (e.g. African Studies, Applied and Computational Mathematics, Architecture, Computer Science MS, Earth and Planetary Sciences, East Asian Studies, Nursing, Philosophy). Combined programs follow the earlier deadline or December 15.

The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences application fee for all degree-seeking applicants is US $105, non-refundable, payable by Visa, Mastercard, Discover or American Express; fee waivers can be requested until January 2.

GRE General Test requirements vary by GSAS program (required, optional or not accepted) for the 2026-2027 cycle.

Apply through the official page: https://admissions.yale.edu/apply

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