Physics BA and BS
PHYS – Physics course descriptions
Faculty
Wendy Weber (chair), Elizabeth Golovatski, Viktor Martisovits, Alexey Pronin Kristen Thompson, Anudeep Reddy Vedire
Statement of philosophy, BA
As the most fundamental physical science, physics, is concerned with the basic principles of the universe. It is the foundation on which engineering, technology and the other sciences are based. Housed in the department of Analytical and Physical Sciences, A Bachelor of Arts with a major in physics is a problem-solving degree, preparing students for careers in many fields. A Bachelor of Arts with a major in physics has the flexibility to support preparation for graduate study in fields that go far beyond the physical sciences. It pairs well with majors or minors as far ranging as math, computer science, or data science (software design, big data, machine learning) to English (academic publishing) and music (acoustics). Students bound for graduate work in health fields, law or engineering have the flexibility to take the additional courses required or recommended for graduate admission in those fields. Our mission is to teach physics theory, problem-solving skills, and experimental techniques with an emphasis on science as a method for exploring the world. We prepare our students to be able to reason from the general fundamental principles to specific applications in physics and engineering.
*Students interested in pursuing graduate study in physics, astrophysics, or astronomy should consider the Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Physics. Students cannot obtain both a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science with majors in Physics.
Statement of philosophy, BS
As the most fundamental of the physical sciences, physics is concerned with the basic principles of the universe. It is the foundation on which engineering, technology, and other sciences are based. Research in physics today spans from the smallest of the small (fundamental particles) to the largest of the large (cosmology and astrophysics), answering questions both practical and awe-inspiring. Housed in the department of Analytical and Physical Sciences, a Bachelor of Science with a major in physics offers both a deeper dive into physics (compared to the Bachelor of Arts with a major in physics) and a branching out into related fields that prepares students for complex work in science and technology industries, research, or academia. This major is especially well-suited for students wanting to pursue doctoral work in physics, astrophysics, astronomy, or engineering specialties. Our mission is to teach physics theory, problem-solving skills, and experimental techniques with an emphasis on science as a method for exploring the world. We prepare our students to be able to reason from the general fundamental principles to specific applications in physics and engineering.
* Students interested in pursuing graduate study in health fields or law should consider a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Physics to accommodate the additional courses required or recommended for graduate admission in those fields. Students cannot obtain both a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science with majors in Physics.
Study abroad opportunities
Students majoring in physics have been able to study abroad with careful planning, especially during the summer.
Major Communication Skills
The department believes that it is important that students in physics can listen, speak, read, and write both within the discipline and outside it. Many courses throughout the major include activities evaluating students’ communication skills, including PHYS 331 Advanced Laboratories. PHYS 331 has sufficiently high standards of technical writing that passing both semesters is evidence of a student’s writing skills. Students in highly technical majors are often best served in gaining oral communication skills outside the sciences, leading the department to require physics majors to pass either COMM 160 Communication in Everyday Life or COMM 272 Professional Communication.
Physics Major Requirements, BA (minimum of 57 credits)
- Complete all of the following:
PHYS 111 General Physics I with Lab (5)
PHYS 112 General Physics II with Lab (5)
PHYS 225 Modern Physics I (3)
PHYS 331 Advanced Labs (4) (2 semesters)
CHEM 111 General Chemistry I with Lab (4)
MATH 131 Calculus I (4)
MATH 132 Calculus II (4)
MATH 231 Multivariable Calculus (3)
MATH 250 Differential Equations (3)
- Complete 19 credits from the following elective courses:
PHYS 211 Analog Electronics (3)
PHYS 215 Theoretical and Experimental Methods (2)
PHYS 216 Waves (2)
PHYS 322 Optics (3)
PHYS 325 Modern Physics II (3)
PHYS 326 Analytical Mechanics (4)
PHYS 412 Quantum Mechanics (4)
PHYS 421 Electricity and Magnetism II (3)
ENGR 212 Dynamics (3)*
ENGR 311 Thermodynamics (3)
ENGR 321 Electromagnetism (3)
*requires ENGR 211 as a pre-requisite, but does not count as an elective in the major
- Complete one of the following:
COMM 160 Communication in Everyday Life (3)
COMM 272 Oral Communication in Professional Contexts (3)
Physics Minor Requirements (18 credits)
- Complete all of the following:
PHYS 111 General Physics I with Lab (5)
PHYS 112 General Physics II with Lab (5)
PHYS 225 Modern Physics I (3)
PHYS 331 Advanced Laboratories (2)
- Complete an additional 3 credits of PHYS courses numbered 211 or above
Physics Major Requirements, BS (minimum of 75 credits)
- Complete all of the following (64 sh):
PHYS 111 General Physics I with Lab (5)
PHYS 112 General Physics II with Lab (5)
PHYS 215 Theoretical and Experimental Methods (2)
PHYS 216 Waves (2)
PHYS 225 Modern Physics I (3)
PHYS 322 Optics (3)
PHYS 325 Modern Physics II (3)
PHYS 331 Advanced Labs (4) (2 semesters)
PHYS 412 Quantum Mechanics (4)
PHYS 421 Electricity and Magnetism II (3)
CHEM 111 General Chemistry with Lab (4)
ENGR 211 Statics (3)
ENGR 212 Dynamics (3)
ENGR 311 Thermodynamics (3)
ENGR 321 Electromagnetism (3)
MATH 131 Calculus I (4)
MATH 132 Calculus II (4)
MATH 231 Multivariable Calculus (3)
MATH 250 Differential Equations (3)
- Take four of the following elective courses (11-15 credits, including any additional pre-requisites for engineering courses):
CHEM 112 General Chemistry II with Lab (4)
CHEM 361 Physical Chemistry I (3)*
CHEM 461 Physical Chemistry II (3)*
COSC 110 Intro to Computer Science (3)
ENGR 112 Matlab (2)
ENGR 221 Electric Circuits (3)
ENGR 222 Electronic Devices (4)
ENGR 312 Fluid Dynamics (3)
MATH 240 Linear Algebra (4)
*Requires instructor permission