Physics, B.S.

Requirements for the Physics Major:

Ten courses in physics

Math

and two other science courses numbered 100 or above,

at least one of which must be taken outside the department. Students are expected to attend the weekly departmental colloquium series to gain an appreciation for current research in physics and related areas.

Graduate Curriculum

For those students wishing to consider graduate work in physics or a closely related discipline (e.g., astronomy, materials science, applied physics), the department advises the following curriculum:

Physics

Math

These students are also strongly encouraged to take electives from the following:

Astronomy

Math

Electrical and Computer Engineering

ECE 225 - Electric Circuits

Possible Substitution Courses

For students interested in pursuing careers that do not require graduate work in physics, some substitutions of courses in engineering will be considered by the department. Students must request formal approval from the Department of Physics and Astronomy for any such substitution. Examples include:

Requirements for Honors:

In addition to the requirements for the major, the student must take at least one additional course in research (PHY 491 ), submit an honors thesis, and satisfy College requirements for departmental honors.

Requirements for Secondary School Certification:

PSY 246 , EDS 500A, EDS 500B, and at least one year of a foreign language. Physics requirements are identical to those of the physics major. All science majors are encouraged to seek certification in more than one science. To become certified in a second science requires a full major in the second science. Those wishing to become certified in general science must include at least two courses each from the areas of biology (BIO 110 (102) and BIO 112 (101)), chemistry (CHM 101 and CHM 102 or CHEM 110), and earth science (any geology course or AST 100 ).

Requirements for the Leadership in Medicine Program:

Students in the Leadership in Medicine program whose science emphasis is in physics should take the following seven courses: PHY 110 , PHY 111 (both already core courses), PHY 122 , PHY 123 , PHY 200 , PHY 210 , and one additional 200- or 300-level physics course or PHY 490 or PHY 495 . Students with AP credit for PHY 110 (and PHY 111 ) should take one additional physics elective (and one additional math course) in consultation with their physics advisor.