How to Apply to Physics at Case Western Reserve: B.S. and B.A. Degrees, Mathematical Physics and Biophysics Options, Engineering Physics in the School of Engineering, Test-Optional Admission, With AP and IB Physics Credit for PHYS 115 or 121, for Domestic, International (Including Chinese) and Transfer Applicants

Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) in Cleveland, Ohio, offers undergraduate physics through the Department of Physics: the College of Arts and Sciences awards the physics B.S. and B.A., and the Case School of Engineering awards the Engineering Physics degree. Here is what you need to know to apply, based on the physics department’s website, its undergraduate research page and the Office of Undergraduate Admission, organised for US domestic applicants, international applicants and applicants from China, followed by transfer students. The university’s General Bulletin is hosted by a third-party vendor and was not read, so degree requirements here come from the tables printed on the physics department’s own site; rely on the Bulletin and your own academic requirements page for the official version. Mathematics, engineering, computer science and other majors are not covered beyond a one-line mention of the joint degrees.

1. Degrees and options

• B.S. in Physics: the department says the B.S. is “traditionally taken by students interested in a career in physics research in government or industry, or in college- and university-level teaching and research,” covering classical mechanics, electromagnetism, quantum mechanics, thermal physics/statistical mechanics and laboratory, data analysis and computational skills. The degree table (for students entering in fall 2022) totals 120 credit hours: introductory mechanics and E&M (PHYS 121/122, or the invitation-only 123/124), Modern Physics 221, Electronics Lab 203, Instrumentation Lab 204, Computational Methods 250, Classical Mechanics 310, Advanced Lab 301/303 and 302, Thermodynamics 313, Quantum Mechanics 331 and 332, Electricity and Magnetism 324 and 325, one of Solid State 315, Biophysics 320, Physical Optics 326 or Laser Physics 327, and one of Nuclear and Particle 316, Cosmology 328, Modern Cosmology 336 or General Relativity 365; mathematics through Calculus 3 and Differential Equations; two chemistry courses; one programming course; College of Arts and Sciences general education and the SAGES seminar sequence; and, in the typical schedule, a senior physics project and seminar (PHYS 351 and 352), where the table notes PHYS 351 can satisfy the SAGES capstone requirement. The department says about 75% of its majors continue their studies after graduation.
• Mathematical Physics Concentration: the department says this is a variation of the B.S. for students interested in theoretical physics with a strong mathematics background, who “may consider applying for admission” to it; two advanced laboratory courses are replaced by mathematics courses and some undergraduate physics courses by graduate ones. It is distinct from the B.S. in Mathematics and Physics, a parallel education in both subjects administered jointly by the two departments.
• Biophysics Concentration: a variation of the B.S. in which four physics courses and two open electives are replaced by a “biogroup” of five courses (generally from PHYS 320, PHYS 330 and courses in biology, biophysics, biochemistry and biomedical engineering) and a technical elective, chosen with the biophysics advisor; the department says it also suits a medical school track.
• B.S. in Mathematics and Physics: the department describes it as a “synergistic, coherent, and parallel education in mathematics and physics”; its own page was not read for this guide, so check the official site.
• Engineering Physics (B.S.E.): the department says the major lets students with strong interests in physics and engineering concentrate on the areas common to both. Students complete the Engineering Core and a rigorous physics course of study, choose a concentration in an engineering discipline with a sequence of at least four courses, and complete a senior research and design project under a faculty member with a written report, the senior seminar and the symposium. The program is accredited by the ABET Engineering Accreditation Commission, so CWRU does have an engineering undergraduate degree in this area.
• B.A. in Physics: the department calls it “our most flexible degree program,” suited to students who combine physics with other interests, often through a second major in the arts, humanities or social sciences, or who go on to medicine, law or business. Compared with the B.S. there are 27 fewer required credits of physics, including three fewer advanced laboratory courses, and first-year students can take the introductory physics and math courses designed for life science students. A Secondary Major in Physics has the same course requirements, except that students from other CWRU schools follow their own school’s general education requirements. There is also a teaching option within the B.A. (a second major in Education with 34 credit hours of education and practicum, leading to an Ohio teaching license for grades 7-12; the page is marked as updated in 2020).
• Minors and new programs: the department also offers a physics minor, and says an interdisciplinary Minor in Quantum Information, Science, and Technology (QIST) is “coming soon (2027).”

2. Admission: you apply to the university; declaration conditions for physics are not published

• When you apply: admissions says you apply through the Common Application or Coalition with Scoir and that, once admitted, you have access to the university’s entire catalog across the Case School of Engineering, the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, the Weatherhead School of Management and the College of Arts and Sciences. The pages read do not say whether you must name a school or major on the application, or whether physics has a separate admission line; this is not published there, so ask the admissions office.
• Review: holistic; there is no minimum GPA or test score. Admissions says what matters most is how you have challenged yourself and prepared for success.
• Declaring physics after enrolling: the physics pages read do not give a timing or conditions (course grades, GPA, limited places); this is not published there. The department directs questions to its Director of Undergraduate Studies, Prof. Harsh Mathur (harsh.mathur@case.edu). Engineering Physics is awarded by the engineering school, and the department’s listed contact is Prof. Xuan Gao.
• Moving in from another CWRU program: not published in the pages read; the Mathematical Physics concentration is described as one you apply to enter, with the conditions in the Bulletin.

3. Prerequisites and course planning

• High school courses: admissions requires at least 4 years of English, 3 of math, 3 of science (2 of them laboratory science), 3 of social studies and 2 of foreign language, and recommends an additional year of math and laboratory science for engineering or the sciences. The pages read do not set a separate high school physics requirement for physics; this is not published there.
• Introductory sequences: the department offers three: PHYS 115/116 (introductory physics for the life sciences, accepted only for the physics B.A.), PHYS 121/122 (General Physics, calculus-based, for B.S. science and engineering students, with a heavy emphasis on problem solving) and PHYS 123/124 (“Physics & Frontiers,” limited enrollment and by invitation only, with topics such as chaos, fractals and special relativity and vector calculus in E&M). Each course is 4 credits with a three-hour lab every other week. The department says any of the sequences is accepted for a physics major, except that 115/116 counts only for the B.A.
• Calculus: the PHYS 121 prerequisite is MATH 121, 123, 125 or one year of high school calculus. The department says students should not enroll in PHYS 121 unless they have had a calculus course covering derivatives and integrals; a good high school course should be enough, and if in doubt complete MATH 121 first. The prerequisite is advisory and not enforced at registration because the student information system cannot check high school courses.
• Math starting point: admissions’ AP page says that beginning in fall 2026, a score of 5 on AP Precalculus exempts students from the CWRU summer math placement exam and lets them enroll directly in MATH 121 or 125; other students take the placement exam, which was not described in the pages read. The physics B.S. needs MATH 121/122 (or 123/124 or 125/126), MATH 223 or 227 and MATH 224.
• AP physics credit: admissions (page for students matriculating in 2025-26, reviewed annually by departments and subject to change) says: AP Physics 1 with a 4 or 5 earns 4 hours as PHYS 115 and placement into PHYS 116; AP Physics C: Mechanics with a 4 or 5 earns 4 hours as PHYS 121 and placement into PHYS 122; AP Physics 2 and Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism with a 4 or 5 each earn 3 hours as PHYS 100-TR, general physics transfer credit with no specific course. You cannot receive credit for both Physics 1 and C: Mechanics, or both Physics 2 and C: E&M. The physics department’s own AP page (marked as updated in 2019) differs: it gives no credit for Physics 2 and says that even a 4 or 5 on C: E&M cannot replace PHYS 116 or 122 (students may take a proficiency exam or request 3 credits of PHYS T100). The two pages disagree, so check the current policy with the department. Accepting an invitation to PHYS 123 forfeits AP mechanics credit. Admissions also advises students with little high school lab experience to consult the department about taking PHYS 113A first.
• AP calculus credit: admissions says Calculus AB with a 5 earns MATH 121 (4 hours) with placement into MATH 122 or 126; Calculus BC with a 5 earns MATH 121 and 122 (8 hours) with placement into MATH 223; a BC with an AB subscore of 5 earns MATH 121.
• IB physics and math: admissions and the department both say IB Physics HL with a 5, 6 or 7 earns 7 hours (PHYS 121, 4 hours, plus PHYS 100-TR, 3 hours) with placement into PHYS 122; IB Mathematics HL with a 5, 6 or 7 earns MATH 121 and 100-TR (7 hours) with placement into MATH 122 or 126. Standard Level IB physics and math are not listed on the pages read. Cambridge A and AS-level: the department says completing the physics program “MAY” lead to credit for PHYS 115/116 or 121/122, and you must show the math level (algebra or calculus) and the laboratory experience.
• Other international programs: the department’s page says the French Baccalaureate in Science with the 4-hour physics exam earns PHYS 121 credit for a coefficient of 4 or higher, and that the Indian Secondary Certificate Examination does not transfer as university-level physics (students may sit a proficiency exam).
• Proficiency exams: the department gives exams for PHYS 115, 116, 121, 122 and 221 twice a year before classes start, with credit for performance equivalent to a solid C (around 75%); historically fewer than half of those who try pass, and you may attempt each at most twice. The fall 2026 exams were on 21 August 2026. The department warns against planning around passing.
• Honors and research: the physics pages read do not list a separate physics honors program, which is not published there; in the introductory sequences, PHYS 123/124 is limited enrollment and by invitation only. Undergraduate research and the senior project are in section 8.
• Physics competitions: neither the admissions pages nor the physics pages read say how physics competitions are viewed.

4. Deadlines and materials (first-year)

• Deadlines: the admissions pages show no year, so check that these apply to fall 2027 entry. Early Action: application 1 November, financial aid documents 15 November, notification around 19 December, reply by 1 May. Early Decision I: 1 November, notification 5 December, reply by 12 December. Early Decision II: 15 January, notification 6 February, reply within one week of admission. Regular Decision: 15 January, financial aid documents 1 February, notification 20 March, reply by 1 May. Spring entry: 15 November. The Pre-Professional Scholars Program (conditional admission to the medical or dental school) is due 1 December. Early Decision is binding and requires an agreement signed by the student, counselor and a parent or guardian.
• How to apply and fee: the Common Application or Coalition with Scoir; the application fee is $75, with fee waivers available.
• Materials: official high school transcript, school report, counselor recommendation, two teacher recommendations (the page does not say they must come from science teachers) and the application essay. The arts supplement is required only for music and music education majors and some arts scholarship applicants.
• Testing is optional: CWRU is test-optional; you choose at application whether to submit scores and can change your mind until two weeks before decision release. “No catches. No exceptions”: no testing is required for any undergraduate program, the Pre-Professional Scholars Program or any scholarship or aid program. The university superscores; codes SAT 1105 and ACT 3244. For the class of 2025 (middle 50%), admissions lists SAT total 1420-1510, ACT composite 32-35 and unweighted GPA 3.6-4.0, with 42% applying test optional.
• Additional materials: optional, such as extra letters of recommendation, a resume, research abstracts, AP scores and predicted IB results, uploaded through the applicant portal.
• Financial aid documents: to apply for need-based aid, US citizens and permanent residents submit the FAFSA plus the CSS Profile and non-US residents only the CSS Profile (CSS code 1105, FAFSA code 003137); the application is not complete until aid documents are in.

5. US domestic applicants

• Tuition: the cost page (2026-27, USD): tuition $71,410; housing $11,688 (commuter $3,824); meal plan $8,600 (commuter $1,124); fees $696; matriculation fee $760; books $1,200; personal expenses $1,350; transportation varies; total $95,704 for residential students and $80,364 for commuters; a transportation allowance of up to $2,000 may be added by home state. Nursing programs carry $1,450 of additional fees. The page does not separate in-state from out-of-state tuition. Costs for 2027-28 are not published on the page read.
• Aid: admissions says most students do not pay the full published cost, that the university meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for admitted students with a mix of scholarships, grants, work-study and loans, and that more than 80% of students receive some assistance.
• Automatic scholarships (US citizens and permanent residents): the University Scholarship; the Michelson-Morley STEM Scholarship (for exceptional students who plan to major in science, technology, engineering or mathematics); the Austin E. Knowlton scholarship (talented students from Ohio); and others. Scholarship competitions need a separate application by 15 February, with winners notified by 1 April: the A.W. Smith Innovation Scholarship (two awards of tuition for first-year applicants in engineering, the physical sciences and mathematics with an exceptional hands-on project), the Andrew and Eleanor Squire Scholarship (tuition, for the arts, humanities, management and natural, social and behavioral sciences), the FIRST Scholarship (two awards of $10,000, renewable, for FIRST Robotics or FIRST Tech Challenge participants) and others.
• Local programs: Cleveland Scholars (graduates of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, partner charters or East Cleveland City Schools; four years covering the full cost of attendance plus a paid mentored research or internship; FAFSA required) and the Joan C. Edwards Scholarship for Cleveland students interested in medicine.
• Physics department scholarships: the physics pages read do not list department-specific undergraduate scholarships; this is not published there.

6. International applicants

• How to apply: admissions says international applicants follow the same deadlines and process as domestic students (as first-year, transfer or 3/2 engineering applicants), and that English translations are required for academic records and recommendations when applicable. About 20% of undergraduates are citizens of other countries.
• English: applicants whose first language is not English submit a score through the testing agency or self-report it in the applicant portal (confirmed with an official report on enrollment). Minimums: Duolingo 115; IELTS 7; PTE Academic 61; TOEFL iBT (including Home Edition and Paper Edition) 4.5 for tests on or after 21 January 2026, and for tests on or before 20 January 2026, 90 internet-based or 577 paper-based. Automatic waivers: two years at a school with English as the language of instruction by graduation, SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing of 630 or higher, or ACT English of 26 or higher.
• Proof of funds and visa: not described in the pages read; this is not published there, so contact admissions.
• Aid and scholarships: the international page says undergraduates are automatically evaluated for several scholarships, and that there are scholarship competitions, including full-tuition awards, with an essay. The scholarships page says the automatic awards are for US citizens and permanent residents and that international students can enter the scholarship competitions unless otherwise noted. The two pages are worded differently, so confirm with admissions. Financial aid is available to international students (CSS Profile). The page says CWRU awarded $213 million in institutional aid last year.

7. Applicants from China

• Gaokao: the pages read do not mention the Gaokao or say how it is used; this is not published there, so contact admissions.
• Transcripts and Huikao materials: the international page has no China-specific entry; the general rule is English translations of non-English academic records and recommendations. How the Huikao is handled is not published; contact admissions.
• English scores: see section 6. Testing: SAT and ACT are optional.

8. Costs, scholarships, research and outcomes

• Costs: see section 5.
• Undergraduate research and senior projects: the department says 60% of physics undergraduates from the first through the third year join departmental research groups, and 100% complete a research-based capstone project in their senior year. The senior projects page lists ways to get involved: working in a lab or with a theorist, possibly paid (there is no organized system for pairing students with positions, so you contact faculty individually); PHYS 390, Undergraduate Research in Physics, for course credit; volunteering; and the campus-wide SOURCE (Support of Undergraduate Research and Creative Endeavors) postings. B.S. students who do their capstone in the physics department have a year-long research experience with a mentor they choose; PHYS 351/353 are the senior research project courses.
• Outcomes: the department’s page for high school students says: “75% of CWRU physics graduates go on to graduate or professional school, two-thirds of whom continue in physics, astronomy, or mathematics, with others continuing on in engineering, medicine, law, and other fields.” It adds that students who enter the work force mostly take industrial and government jobs, plus education, non-profit and entrepreneurial positions. A separate department page lists where graduates of 1999-2022 went, which is not repeated here.

9. Transfer students

• Who counts: admissions says anyone who has graduated from high school and enrolled in college courses, whether or not credit was earned, can be considered for transfer admission; at its discretion admissions may consider a transfer applicant as a first-year applicant. You can apply for spring or fall; first-year transfers are admitted in the spring semester.
• Deadlines (no year is printed, so check): Fall Early Plan 15 March (aid documents 1 April, reply by 1 June); Fall 3/2 Engineering 15 February; Fall Regular Plan 1 July; Spring 15 November (later applications are considered on a space-available basis).
• Materials: Common App or Coalition application; the official high school transcript (waived for students who will have graduated two years before the entry term and have an associate degree, or have completed 45 credit hours by application); official transcripts from every college attended; a recommendation from a college instructor; a transfer college report showing good standing; the $75 fee; testing optional. Admissions looks at academic performance, rigor, co-curricular involvement and recommendations.
• Credit: after admission and receipt of the final transcript, courses equivalent to CWRU courses, completed with a C or better at an accredited institution, can earn credit; college courses used to meet high school graduation requirements, or repeating high school courses, earn none. The physics department adds that introductory courses (PHYS 115, 116, 121, 122) must meet three tests: calculus level (121/122 must be calculus-based), content and hours (roughly the same, about 80% overlap is common) and a laboratory; online courses are generally not accepted; and advanced courses need detailed syllabi.
• 3/2 Engineering: partnerships with more than 50 liberal arts colleges (three years there, two at CWRU) with at least a 3.00 overall and in mathematics and science and 90 semester hours; this is not a physics major and is not covered further.
• Physics-specific requirements: the pages read set no GPA or calculus/physics sequence requirement for transfer students entering physics; this is not published there, so contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies.

Checklist

US domestic applicants:

• Apply by 1 November (EA or ED I) or 15 January (ED II or RD); two teacher recommendations, a counselor recommendation and an essay; testing optional; $75 fee
• AP Physics 1 or C: Mechanics at 4 or 5 earns credit for PHYS 115 or 121; ask the physics department about declaring the major (not published)

International applicants (including China):

• Prepare TOEFL (4.5 new scale), IELTS 7 or Duolingo 115, or check the waiver conditions; translate non-English records; ask admissions how the Gaokao is used
• Submit the CSS Profile if you need aid; scholarship competitions are due 15 February (confirm international eligibility)

Transfer students:

• Fall Early Plan 15 March or Regular Plan 1 July; a college instructor recommendation and a transfer college report; credit evaluated after admission; physics courses must be calculus-based with a lab

Sources: Case Western Reserve University, Physics: undergraduate programs; Physics: degree programs; B.S. in Physics; Mathematical Physics concentration; Biophysics concentration; Engineering Physics; B.A. in Physics; B.A. teaching option; Introductory physics sequence; Physics: AP and IB credit; Physics: proficiency exams; Physics: transfer credit; Information for high school students; Undergraduate research and senior projects; Admission: deadlines and requirements; First-year applicants; Application tips; Test policy; International applicants; Transfer applicants; AP, IB and college credit; Tuition and costs; Scholarships. The admissions pages show no year, so check that the deadlines apply to fall 2027 entry; most physics department pages are marked as updated between 2019 and 2025; costs are for 2026-27. See CWRU’s website for the latest.