Undergraduate Application
WFU Admissions
Visit the Wake Forest University Admissions web page for full details on how to apply to Wake Forest.
Overview
The Wake Forest Physics Department offers an outstanding educational program for the undergraduate student, with the option to pursue a BS in physics, BA in physics or a BS in biophysics. The program is designed to give the student a broad understanding of physics, with the opportunity to pursue research at the forefront of biophysics, condensed matter physics, gravitation and particle, and medical physics. Opportunities in experimental, computational, and theoretical physics are found among these subject areas. The Department thus provides the unique mix of research opportunities similar to those found at large research universities with the atmosphere of a small liberal arts university. Graduates from the Wake Forest Physics Department hold rewarding positions at colleges, universities, industry and government laboratories, and not-for-profit institutes.
AP and IB Physics Credit
Advanced Placement – credit granted according to the following schedule:
- Physics 1, AP Score: 4 or 5, WFU credit hours: 4, Course: PHY 110, 110L
- Physics 2, AP Score: 4 or 5, WFU credit hours: 4, Course: PHY 111
- Physics C – Mechanics, AP Score: 4 or 5, WFU credit hours: 4, Course: PHY 113, 113L
- Physics C – Electricity & Mag, AP Score: 4 or 5, WFU credit hours: 4, Course: PHY 114*, 114L
*If your AP Physics C class was shortened due to COVID-19 and it did not cover magnetism and electromagnetism, and you wish to continue study in physics or biophysics, then you may wish to consider taking Phy 124 or Phy 114 because those are important topics for further study in physics. Consult the Chair, Dr. Kim-Shapiro, with any questions concerning this.
International Baccalaureate – credit given for a score of 6 or 7 on Higher Level. Student will receive 4 credit hours (Wake Forest course – PHY 111).
British AS-level – credit given for a score of B or higher. Student will receive 4 credit hours (Wake Forest course – PHY 110, 110L).
British A-levels – credit given for a score of B or higher. Student will receive 4 credit hours (Wake Forest course – PHY 111).
| Test | AP Score Needed | WFU Credit Hours | Course Credited on Transcript | Course to register for at WFU |
| AP Physics 1 | 4 or 5 | 4 | PHY 110, 110L | PHY 113 or 114 |
| AP Physics 2 | 4 or 5 | 4 | PHY 111 | PHY 114 |
| AP Physics C Mechanics | 4 or 5 | 4 | PHY 113, 113L | PHY 114 |
| AP Physics C Electricity & Magnetism | 4 or 5 | 4 | PHY 114, 114L | PHY 113 or 215* |
| International Baccalaureate (High Level only) | 6 or 7 | 4 | PHY 111 | PHY 114 |
| British AS-level | B or higher | 4 | PHY 110, 110L | PHY 113 |
| British A-levels | B or higher | 4 | PHY 111 | PHY 114 |
*If the student has credit for both PHY 111/113 AND 114, then they should register for PHY 215.
Wake Forest divisional credit is not given for any AP, IB, or A-level exams.
Note that credit will not be given for both PHY 111 and PHY 113, 113L. If a student with PHY 111 credit takes PHY 114 and successfully completes it here at Wake Forest with a grade of C or better, we will then, upon request, change PHY 111 credit to PHY 113, 113L credit. This is needed in some cases for our pre-health professions students, and can be helpful for our majors.
The complete listing of AP credit and IB credit that is available at Wake Forest in all disciplines can be found at the following link for the Registrars’ Office: https://registrar.wfu.edu/ap-ib/ 
.