Physics Syllabus 2025: Subjects, Semester-wise Syllabus PDF, Top Colleges, Books
Physics is the natural science that studies matter, its essential elements, motion and behaviour in space and time, and the associated phenomena of energy and force. Physics is one of the most fundamental scientific fields that aims to understand how the universe works. Depending on one’s preference and subject to eligibility conditions, one can study Physics as an undergraduate, diploma, certification, or postgraduate major. One should study high school and college mathematics diligently and fit it into their schedule to pursue Physics: study algebra, geometry/trigonometry, and calculus courses, including any Advanced Placement courses.
Physics Syllabus – Important Facts
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Scope in India: After finishing BSc in Physics, one can opt for numerous career options since Physics is required for jobs that involve producing things and new technologies in engineering, astronomy, robotics, communications, space exploration, scientific research, and other fields.
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Duration: BSc in Physics is a three-year programme that enhances one's quantitative argumentation, logical thinking, etc.
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Average salary: Students who know Physics earn an average of INR 20 lakhs per year, with most earning between INR 10 lakhs and INR 46 lakhs per year. The top 10 per cent of talent makes more than INR 28 lakh every year.
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Course fees: The average fees for a Physics degree or course ranges from INR 5,000 to INR 5 lakhs a semester.
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Eligibility: Students must have completed their Class 12 Board examination with a minimum of 50-60 per cent aggregate marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics/Biology as core courses. While most universities do not have an age restriction for individuals interested in pursuing a BSc, certain institutions set a criterion for the students to be between the ages of 18 and 21 to apply for the course.
Physics Syllabus - List of Subjects in Physics
The following table brings the list of core subjects taught under the Physics syllabus.
Typical Core Subjects for Physics
| Subject title |
Subject details |
|---|---|
| Foundations of Mechanics |
|
| Electricity and Magnetism |
|
| Quantum Mechanics |
|
| Astronomy |
|
Typical Elective Subjects for Physics
| Subject title |
Subject details |
|---|---|
| Introduction to Cosmology |
|
| Methods of Mathematical Physics |
|
| Solid State Physics I |
|
Detailed Syllabus for Physics
The syllabus of BSc in Physics may vary from one university to the other, but the subjects are more or less the same. Here is a general overview of the core or elective subjects taught from the first to sixth semesters in BSc Physics.
| Core/Elective |
Subject title |
Subject Details |
|---|---|---|
| Core |
Classical Mechanics |
This subject teaches the motion of macroscopic objects covering several objects like projectiles, machinery pieces, along with astronomical objects such as spacecraft, galaxies, stars and planets. |
| Core |
Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics |
Thermodynamics is concerned with simplicity at the macroscopic level, and its laws are expressed in terms of a few observable factors such as temperature and pressure. In principle, statistical mechanics also permits one to explore physical systems that are beyond the area of validity of Thermodynamics. |
| Core |
Electromagnetism and Photonics |
Electromagnetism is a field of Physics that examines electromagnetic force, which is a sort of physical interaction between electrically charged particles. Understanding the manipulation, creation, and transmission of light particles is central to the study of photonics. |
| Core |
Relativistic Mechanics |
Relativistic mechanics teaches mechanics associated with general relativity and special relativity. |
| Core |
Quantum Mechanics |
Quantum mechanics is a basic theory of Physics that describes the physical aspects of nature at the atomic and subatomic particle scales. It is the bedrock upon which all quantum Physics is built, including quantum chemistry, quantum field theory, quantum technology, and quantum information science. |
| Core |
Atomic Physics |
Atomic Physics focusses on study of atoms and is primarily concerned with the arrangement of electrons surrounding the nucleus, as well as the mechanisms that cause these arrangements to change. |
| Core |
Optics and Acoustics |
Acoustic optics studies the interactions between sound waves and light waves, particularly the diffraction of laser light by ultrasound (or sound in general) via ultrasonic grating. |
| Elective |
Atmospheric Physics |
Atmospheric Physics is an integral part of weather forecast models. It is also known as physical parametrisation. |
| Elective |
Nuclear and Particle Physics |
The study of atomic nuclei, their components, and the interactions that keep them together is known as nuclear Physics. Particle Physics evolved from nuclear Physics and studies the fundamental building components of matter, radiation, and their interactions. |
| Elective |
Physics of the Earth |
Natural science deals with the physical processes and physical qualities of the Earth and its surrounding space environment, as well as the application of quantitative methods to analyse them. |
| Elective |
Nanomaterials and Applications |
Nanoscience refers to the study of ultra-small structures & materials. |
Specialisations Offered in Physics
Physics is a discipline of science that studies the structure of matter and the interaction of the universe's fundamental constituents. It examines different theories utilising quantum mechanics and general relativity. Here are some of the specialisations offered in studying Physics.
| Specialisation |
Subjects |
Details |
|---|---|---|
| Particle Physics |
|
Particle Physics studies the nature of particles that make up matter and radiation. |
| AstroPhysics |
|
AstroPhysics is a field of space science that seeks to comprehend the universe and our place in it by using laws of Physics and chemistry. |
| Biotechnology |
|
Biophysics is a branch of biotechnology that has nothing to do with high school Physics. It is totally biological and focuses on the ‘Physics’ of proteins - structure, folding, and protein dynamics in general. |
| Meteorology |
|
Meteorology is the study of the Earth's atmosphere and the changes in temperature and moisture patterns that cause various weather situations. |
| Nanotechnology |
|
Nanotechnology is the science of managing and modifying atoms and molecules in order to create new technology. Nanotechnology is a supramolecular technology that involves the design of functional systems at the molecular or supramolecular scale. |
| Quantum dynamics |
|
Quantum dynamics is concerned with the movements, as well as the exchanges of energy and momentum, of systems whose behaviour is regulated by the principles of quantum mechanics. Quantum dynamics is important in emerging fields like quantum computing and atomic optics. |
Books and Authors Related to Physics
As Physics is a highly versatile field with many specialisations, students follow a wide range of books during their graduation or postgraduation. Listed below are some books that are highly recommended.
| Book title |
Author |
Description |
|---|---|---|
| The Feynman Lectures on Physics Vol. 1 |
Richard Feynman |
This book alone comprises 52 chapters, and each subject has been handled with unrelenting excitement and understanding. The book is based on a series of lectures given by Feynman to undergraduate students at the request of the California Institute of Technology. |
| Handbook of Physics
|
Arihant Experts
|
The chapters are accompanied by well-designed graphics and images that include examples. The book is a useful resource that may be used as a quick reference. Overall, the data is exact and presented in a way that will benefit students in the long term. |
| Relativity |
Albert Einstein |
Published by Einstein himself with the goal of providing a precise understanding of the theory of relativity to those readers who are interested in the theory from a broad scientific and philosophical standpoint but are unfamiliar with the mathematical toolbox of theoretical Physics. |
| Quantum Physics |
H.C. Verma |
This book, published by Professor H.C. Verma, provides a basic introduction to quantum mechanics. It includes detailed Physics as well as the mathematical skills needed. |
| The Oxford Solid State Basics |
Steven H. Simon |
The study of solids is one of the most diverse, fascinating, and productive disciplines of Physics. While the subject of solid-state Physics is sometimes seen as dull and monotonous, this new book portrays it as an engaging explanation of basic concepts and important intellectual advances. |
Entrance Exams for Physics
After passing Class 12, there are several entrance tests for Physics. The top five entrance examinations are given here so that students may choose which exam to take depending on their interests and how it would help them reach their objectives of getting into the top Physics colleges in India:
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NEST
National Entrance Screening Test (NEST) is conducted jointly by the National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), Bhubaneswar and Mumbai University - Department of Atomic Energy Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences (UM-DAE CEBS), Mumbai. The NEST Exam is conducted annually to offer admission for Integrated MSc programmes including that of Physics.
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GSAT
GITAM Institute of Science administers the GSAT for postgraduate entrance. GSAT is a national-level entrance test for applicants interested in attending GITAM University. The University provides 14 undergraduate courses, 1 integrated programme, and 13 postgraduate courses. The GITAM Science Admission Test is held in a paper-and-pencil format. GITAM University releases the GSAT Online Application form and GSAT Admit Card on the university's official website. The GSAT exam is conducted once a year and the question paper is divided into three sections.
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IISER
The Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs) hold an entrance test to select students for admission to their five-year BS-MS dual degree programme.
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BHU UET
NTA administers the Banaras Hindu University Undergraduate Entrance Test (BHU UET) on behalf of the university (BHU). It is a national common entrance exam for admission to BHU's undergraduate programmes.
Physics Syllabus for Distance Programmes
Physics is one of the specialist courses/degrees accessible to students who have completed their high school/bachelor's degree/master’s degree. This programme lasts from two to five years. Many institutions offer distance learning programs for Physics. The distance education programmes in Physics provide individuals with the opportunity to gain knowledge and a degree while remaining at home. Many colleges provide it on a massive scale to candidates who have completed their graduate level of study.
Pace your Degree Program: With a distance education programme in Physics, you may finish the education course at your own pace. The course completion duration is variable since colleges permit students to complete the two-year programme in five years.
Affordability of Program Fee: Distance learning Physics courses are much less expensive compared to other universities. Distance education fees are much cheaper than those charged for normal programmes.
Earn and Learn at the Same Time: If you enrol in a distance learning program in Physics, you will have the opportunity of gaining experience and knowledge at the same time. As a result, you will have the necessary skills and experience to flourish in your career.
Physics distance learning programmes are designed to teach advanced Physics fundamentals. Seminars, lectures, workshops, and practical lab work are all part of the syllabus. The following are the primary Physics disciplines covered in the two-year distance learning curriculum:
| Year 1 |
Year 2 |
|---|---|
| Mathematical Methods |
Nuclear Physics |
| Classical Mechanics |
Relativity and Cosmology |
| Quantum Mechanics |
Classical Electrodynamics |
| Electronics |
Advanced Optics |
| Solid State Physics |
Statistical Mechanics |
| Atomic Spectroscopy |
Group Theory |
| Molecular Spectroscopy |
AstroPhysics |
Top Colleges for Physics
The top colleges for Physics in India are given below. They have been shortlisted based on the syllabus, choices of subjects offered, and in-house placement opportunities.
FAQs Regarding Physics Syllabus
Q: Is Physics in Class 12 difficult?
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Q: Who founded the name Physics?
Q: Who is the mother of Physics?
Q: What does “m” stand for in Physics?
Q: In Physics, what is the C constant?
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Q: What should I study before Physics?
Q: Why do students like Physics so much?
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Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 11 hours ago
National Institute of Technology Nagaland and National Institute of Technology Meghalaya are the two prominent colleges for MSc admissions. Both colleges accept IIT JAM scores, followed by CCMN counselling for MSc admission. NIT Nagaland CCMN cutoff 2025 has been released for Round 1, wherein the cl
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National Institute of Technology Meghalaya and National Institute of Technology Agartala are the two prominent colleges for MSc admissions. Both colleges accept IIT JAM scores, followed by CCMN counselling for MSc admission. NIT Meghalaya CCMN cutoff 2025 has been released for Round 1, wherein the c
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Marine engineering graduates are highly sought-after, with many placement opportunities in the maritime industry. The field offers a wide range of career paths, including positions on ships, in shipyards, and in various related onshore and offshore sectors. Placement rates and salary expectations va
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As per the latest Round 1 seat allotment list released by IIT Ropar for JAM 2025, the MSc in Physics programme has witnessed a significant increase in cutoff ranks over the last three years. According to IIT Delhi JAM cutoff 2024, the last round closing rank for MSc in Physics stood at 415 in the Ge
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BSc in Physics is one of the top specialisations offered by Takshashila University under its BSc program. Completing this course opens the door to various career prospects in the healthcare sector. The below table shows various job titles that students can pursue after graduating with a BSc in Physi
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Gokul Global University offers Physics as specialisation in the Bachelors of Science course for the students. The candidates have to meet the eiligibility criteria in order to pursue the course. Students must have completed their Class 12 exam from recognised board and with Physics, Chemistry, and M
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Answered a month ago
In Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM), the restoring force is directly proportional to the displacement from the mean position. It is a periodic motion and acts in the opposite direction. SHM follows the equation, F=? kx, where k is the force constant and x is the displacement. Simple Harmonic Motion is c
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Conservative forces (like gravity or spring force) conserve mechanical energy and do not depend on the path taken. The work done by the conservative forces is recoverable.
Non-conservative forces (like friction or air resistance) dissipate energy as heat or sound. It depends on the path. When non-con
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Energy is measured in joules (J). It is the capacity to do work while power is the rate of using energy or doing work. Power is measured in watts (W). One watt equals one joule per second. Power talks about how fast the work is done, and energy is about how much work is possible.
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When without slipping a body rotates and translates simultaneously is called rolling motion, such as a wheel on a road. It is the combination of rotatory and translatory motion. The point of contact has zero velocity relative to the surface in pure rolling. It is a condition in which there is no sli
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Answered a month ago
According to the Class 11 Physics Chapter 6 System of Particles and Rotational Motion, for a rigid body to be in complete equilibrium, two conditions should be met:
- Net external torque = 0 (rotational equilibrium)
- Net external force = 0 (translational equilibrium)
The condition for equilibrium in rotat
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Answered a month ago
The moment of inertia of a body about any axis to its moment of inertia about a parallel axis through the center of mass is the parallel axis theorem.
It states:
I = Ic + Mh2
Ic is the moment of inertia about the center
I is the moment of inertia of the body
h2 is the square of the distance between the t
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Answered a month ago
To master the Class 11 Physics Chapter 3 Motion In A Plane, the students need to focus on thoroughly understanding vectors, and practice problems involving circular motion and projectile, for clarity, students should draw diagrams. They should memorize the key formulas, solve NCERT examples and atte
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When an object moves in two dimensions, vectors help in representing quantities like velocity, acceleration, and displacement. They allow easy subtraction, addition, and resolution into components. It helps in simplifying the analysis of complex motions like circular motion, projectiles, and motion
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When an object moves around a circular path at a constant speed, it is called the uniform circular motion. The velocity changes while the speed remains constant because its direction keeps on changing. The centripetal acceleration is responsible for this change, which is directed towards the center
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The relative velocity is an object's velocity which may itself be in a motion as observed from a particular frame of reference. In a straight line (one dimension) if object A has velocity vA and object B has velocity vB, then the velocity of object B relative to object A (vBA) is given by vBA=vB? vA
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The scalar quantities are physical quantities with no direction and only magnitude (size). Examples of scalar quantities are mass, temperature, speed and distance. On the other hand, vector quantities have both magnitude and direction. The examples are force, acceleration, displacement and velocity.
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Distance and displacement both refer to how far an object has moved, but the meanings are different. The distance is a scalar quantity and it is the total length covered by an object, irrespective of the direction. It is always positive, and talks about how much ground the object has covered. On the
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Motion in a straight line is used to describe an object's movement along a straight line in a single direction. It is also known as the rectilinear motion. In Motion in a Straight Line, the position of the object changes along one dimension and unless an external force is applied, its direction stay
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Viscosity is the measure of the resistance of fluid towards the shear stress when it is applied for fluid to flow or deformation. Viscosity describes the internal friction within a fluid. A fluid with high viscosity has more internal friction and hence it resists motion. If one pours water and honey
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In terms of mechanical properties of fluids, pressure is the force applied per unit area of the liquids. The pressure in a fluid is given mathematically by P = F/A
Here P is pressure, A is the area, and F is the perpendicular force.
In fluids, at a given depth, pressure acts equally in all directions
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Students can download the Classification of metal conductors & semiconductor notes provided by the Shiksha experts through this article.
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We can classify the metal, conductor, and semiconductor based on their ability of electrical conductivity. Metals are good conductors with a high electrical conductivity, while semiconductor lies between conductors and insulators. Moreover, insulators have low electrical conductivity
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Semiconductor is a material that can act as a conductor or an insulator based on its properties. There are two types of semiconductors: Intrinsic and Extrinsic semiconductors.
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According to the law of conservation of momentum, the total momentum of an isolated system before and after an event remains constant if no external force acts on it. The event can be a collision. Momentum is the product of an object's velocity and mass. For example, in the case of a collision betwe
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According to the class 11 physics laws of motion, static friction is stronger than kinetic friction. It is the frictional force that resists the motion initiation between two objects. The largest static friction is proportional to the normal force. When two objects are already in motion relative to
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Mass measures the amount of matter an object contains and it is a fundamental property of an object. It remains constant irrespective of the object's location, it is a scalar quantity. The SI unit of mass is the kilogram (kg). On the other hand, weight is a vector quantity and refers to the force ex
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Momentum has both magnitude and direction and it is a vector quantity. The direction of the momentum is the same as the direction of the velocity. It quantifies the "quantity of motion" of an object and reflects how fast it is moving and how much mass the object has, the standard SI unit for momentu
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