School of Arts and Sciences
MAJOR AND MINOR DESCRIPTIONS BY DEPARTMENT
PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY
PHYSICS
The Department of Physics and Astronomy offers three major degree options: a BS in physics, a BS in physics and astronomy, and a BA in physics and astronomy. The BS degrees are intended for students who wish to prepare for graduate school in a scientific or technical discipline or who are interested in professional careers in which a background in physics or astronomy is appropriate. The BA degree is designed primarily for students who wish to develop a general scientific background appropriate for many careers including health-related professions or MBA programs. The Certificate in Photonics may be added by students in the bachelor of science physics program.
Students planning to pursue a degree within the department are urged to consult a departmental advisor at any time during the freshman year and should obtain a copy of the department’s brochure for undergraduates in 100 Allen Hall.
*The department offers the physics minor, best suited for students from other schools. The department wishes to emphasize that its 0080s courses, in both physics and astronomy, use little mathematics and are especially designed for liberal arts students.
Major requirements
- A minimum GPA of 2.0 in departmental courses is required for graduation. Honors majors must attain a minimum GPA of 3.0 in physics courses.
- There are no restrictions on the number of S/NC courses that a BA major can take; BS majors must take all physics and astronomy courses beyond the introductory level for a letter grade.
- Students must complete at least one W-course in the major; students should consult with their department advisor about this requirement.
- The mathematics courses required for the major fulfill the related area requirement for all majors in this department.
Physics major, BS
The physics major requires the completion of 39 credits in physics distributed as follows.
Note: While not required, the introductory level honors courses, PHYS 0475, PHYS 0476, and PHYS 0520 are appropriate particularly for students seeking degrees in physics. While MATH 0250 satisfies a degree requirement, the combination of MATH 0290 and MATH 0280 is likewise appropriate.
Introductory Physics courses (select one group)
- PHYS 0174 Basic Physics, Science and Engineering 1
- PHYS 0175 Basic Physics, Science and Engineering 2
- PHYS 0219 Basic Lab Physics, Science and Engineering
- PHYS 0475 Intro to Physics, Science and Engineering 1
- PHYS 0476 Intro to Physics, Science and Engineering 2
- PHYS 0520 Modern Physical Measurements
Intermediate and advanced Physics courses
- PHYS 0479 Principles of Modern Physics 1
- PHYS 0481 Principles of Modern Physics 2
- PHYS 0525 Analog and Digital Electronics
- PHYS 1310 Undergraduate Seminar
- PHYS 1311 Undergraduate Seminar
- PHYS 1321 Computational Methods in Physics
- PHYS 1331 Mechanics
- PHYS 1341 Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics
- PHYS 1351 Intermediate Electricity/Magnetism
- PHYS 1361 Wave Motion and Optics
- PHYS 1426 Modern Physics Laboratory
Mathematics courses
- MATH 0220 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1
- MATH 0230 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 2
- MATH 0240 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 3
- MATH 0280 Linear Algebra
- MATH 0290 Differential Equations
Note: MATH 0250 Matrix Theory and Differential Equations may be used in place of MATH 0290 and MATH 0280, though the combination MATH 0290 and MATH 0280 is preferred.
Chemistry and Computer Science courses (select one group)
- CHEM 0110 General Chemistry 1
- CHEM 0120 General Chemistry 2
- CS 0401 Intermediate Programming Using Java
- CS 0445 Data Structures
Departmental honors requirements
Honors in physics is granted if in addition to fulfilling all requirements for the major, the student completes the following courses.
- PHYS 1370 Introduction to Quantum Mechanics 1
- PHYS 1371 Introduction to Quantum Mechanics 2
- PHYS 1372 Electromagnetic Theory
- MATH 1550 Vector Analysis and Applications
- MATH 1560 Complex Variables and Applications
Physics minor
Select one course
- PHYS 0174 Basic Physics, Science and Engineering 1
- PHYS 0475 Intro to Physics, Science and Engineering 1
Select one course
- PHYS 0175 Basic Physics, Science and Engineering 2
- PHYS 0476 Intro to Physics, Science and Engineering 2
Select one course
- PHYS 0219 Basic Lab Physics, Science and Engineering
- PHYS 0520 Modern Physical Measurements
Both courses
- PHYS 0479 Principles of Modern Physics 1
- PHYS 0481 Principles of Modern Physics 2
Physics and Astronomy major, BS
The BS in physics and astronomy requires the completion of 46 credits in physics and astronomy distributed as follows.
Introductory Physics courses (select one group)
- PHYS 0174 Basic Physics, Science and Engineering 1
- PHYS 0175 Basic Physics, Science and Engineering 2
- PHYS 0219 Basic Lab Physics, Science and Engineering
- PHYS 0475 Intro to Physics, Science and Engineering 1
- PHYS 0476 Intro to Physics, Science and Engineering 2
- PHYS 0520 Modern Physical Measurements
Intermediate and advanced Physics courses
- PHYS 0479 Principles of Modern Physics 1
- PHYS 0481 Principles of Modern Physics 2
- PHYS 0525 Analog and Digital Electronics
- PHYS 1310 Undergraduate Seminar
- PHYS 1311 Undergraduate Seminar
- PHYS 1321 Computational Methods in Physics
- PHYS 1331 Mechanics
- PHYS 1351 Intermediate Electricity/Magnetism
- PHYS 1361 Wave Motion and Optics
Introductory Astronomy course
- ASTRON 0113 Introduction to Astronomy
Intermediate and advanced Astronomy courses
- ASTRON 1120 Stars: Stellar Structure and Evolution
- ASTRON 1121 Galaxies and Cosmology
- ASTRON 1263 Techniques of Astronomy
Geology course
- GEOL 1701 Geology of the Planets
Mathematics courses
- MATH 0220 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1
- MATH 0230 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 2
- MATH 0240 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 3
- MATH 0250 Matrix Theory and Differential Equations *
* The combination of MATH 0290 and MATH 0280 may be substituted for MATH 0250.
Chemistry and Computer Science courses (select one group)
- CHEM 0110 General Chemistry 1
- CHEM 0120 General Chemistry 2
- CS 0401 Intermediate Programming Using Java
- CS 0445 Data Structures
Honors major requirements
Honors in physics and astronomy is granted if in addition to fulfilling all requirements for the major, the student completes the following courses.
- PHYS 1341 Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics
- PHYS 1370 Introduction to Quantum Mechanics 1
- PHYS 1371 Introduction to Quantum Mechanics 2
- PHYS 1372 Electromagnetic Theory
- MATH 1550 Vector Analysis and Applications
- MATH 1560 Complex Variables and Applications
Physics and Astronomy major, BA
The BA in physics and astronomy requires the completion of a minimum of 22 credits in physics and astronomy distributed as follows.
Select one group
- PHYS 0174 Basic Physics Science and Engineering 1
- PHYS 0175 Basic Physics Science and Engineering 2
- PHYS 0219 Basic Lab Physics Science and Engineering
- PHYS 0475 Intro to Physics Science and Engineering 1
- PHYS 0476 Intro to Physics Science and Engineering 2
- PHYS 0520 Modern Physical Measurements
Physics courses
- PHYS 0479 Principles of Modern Physics 1
- PHYS 0481 Principles of Modern Physics 2
- PHYS 1310 Undergraduate Seminar
Astronomy and Geology courses
- ASTRON 0113 Introduction to Astronomy
Two of the following
- ASTRON 1120 Stars: Stellar Structure and Evolution
- ASTRON 1121 Galaxies and Cosmology
- ASTRON 1263 Techniques of Astronomy
- GEOL 1701 Geology of the Planets
Mathematics courses
- MATH 0220 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1
- MATH 0230 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 2
- MATH 0240 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 3
History and Philosophy of Science courses
- One History and Philosophy of Science course is required for the BA in physics and astronomy.