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| UNDERGRADUATE BULLETIN 1999 - 2002 | [ Previous Page | Table of Contents | Next Page ] |
The Department of Physics and Astronomy offers three 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.
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 wishes to emphasize that its 0080s courses in both physics and astronomy use little mathematics and are especially designed for liberal arts students.
- Requirements for all Physics or Physics and Astronomy Majors
Students who wish to graduate with any of the majors offered by the Department of Physics and Astronomy must follow these general rules and requirements:
- Attain a minimum QPA of 2.00 overall in physics courses. Honors majors must attain a minimum QPA of 3.00 in physics courses.
- There are no restrictions on the S/N grade option for BA majors, but BS majors must take all physics courses beyond the introductory level for letter grades.
- The physics courses that are best suited for credit by exam are:
- PHYS 0104, 0105 and 0106 (Basic Physics for Science and Engineering 1, 2 and 3)
- PHYS 0110 and 0111 (Introduction to Physics 1 and 2)
- PHYS 1150 (Mechanics)
- PHYS 0160 (Intermediate Electricity and Magnetism)
- PHYS 0082 (The Science of Musical Sounds)
- PHYS 1119 and 1120 (Principles of Modern Physics 1 and 2)
- Students should consult with the department advisor about the W-course requirement.
- All majors in the physics and astronomy department automatically fulfill the CAS requirement for a 12-credit related area by taking the mathematics courses required for majors.
- Students considering graduate studies should have a reading knowledge of one or two foreign languages selected from German, French, and Russian.
- Curriculum for a BS in Physics and Astronomy
The following courses are required for a BS degree in physics and astronomy:
- PHYS 0104, 0105, and 0106 (Basic Physics for Science and Engineering 1, 2, and 3) or 0475 and 0476 (Honors Introductory Physics for Science and Engineering 1 and 2)
- PHYS 0219 (Basic Laboratory Physics for Science and Engineering)
- PHYS 0160 (Intermediate Electricity and Magnetism)
- PHYS 0167 (Undergraduate Seminar)
- PHYS 0368 (Wave Motion and Optics)
- PHYS 1150 (Mechanics)
- PHYS 1119 and 1120 (Principles of Modern Physics 1 and 2)
- PHYS 1225 (Analog and Digital Electronics)
- ASTRON 0113 (Introduction to Astronomy)
- ASTRON 1120 (Stars, Stellar Structure and Stellar Evolution)
- ASTRON 1121 (Galaxies and Cosmology)
- ASTRON 1263 (Techniques of Astronomy)
- GEOL 1701 (Geology of the Planets)
- MATH 0220, 0230, 0240 (Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1, 2, and 3)
- MATH 0250 (Matrix Theory and Differential Equations)
- CHEM 0110 and 0120 (General Chemistry 1 and 2; honors versions may be substituted)
- Curriculum for an Honors BS in Physics and Astronomy
The following courses are required for an honors BS in physics and astronomy in addition to the standard requirements for a BS in physics and astronomy degree:
- PHYS 1141 (Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics)
- PHYS 1170 and 1171 (Introduction to Quantum Mechanics 1 and 2)
- PHYS 1172 (Electromagnetic Theory)
- MATH 1550 (Vector Analysis and Applications) and 1560 (Complex Variables and Applications)
- PHYS 1173 (Mathematical Methods in Physics) is recommended.
- Curriculum for a BS in Physics
The following courses are required for a BS in physics:
- PHYS 0104, 0105, and 0106 (Basic Physics for Science and Engineering 1, 2, and 3) or 0475 and 0476 (Honors Introductory Physics for Science and Engineering)
- PHYS 0219* (Basic Laboratory Physics for Science and Engineering)
- PHYS 1150 (Mechanics)
- PHYS 0160 (Intermediate Electricity and Magnetism)
- PHYS 0167 (Undergraduate Seminar)
- PHYS 0368 (Wave Motion and Optics)
- PHYS 1119 and 1120 (Principles of Modern Physics 1 and 2)
- PHYS 1225* (Digital Electronics and Microprocessors)
- PHYS 1226 (Modern Physics Laboratory)
- PHYS 1134* (History of Modern Physics)
- PHYS 1141 (Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics.)
- MATH 0220, 0230, 0240 (Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1, 2, and 3)
- MATH 0250 (Matrix Theory and Differential Equations)
- CHEM 0110 and 0120 (General Chemistry 1 and 2) or 0710 and 0720 (Honors General Chemistry 1 and 2)
*Note: The UHC lab 0577 may replace PHYS 0219 and 1225. PHYS 1134 is not required for students who complete 1170 and 1171 (Introduction to Quantum Mechanics 1 and 2).
- Curriculum for an Honors BS in Physics
The following courses are required for an honors BS in physics in addition to the standard requirements for a BS in physics degree:
- PHYS 1170 and 1171 (Introduction to Quantum Mechanics 1 and 2)
- PHYS 1172 (Electromagnetic Theory)
- MATH 1550 (Vector Analysis and Applications)
- MATH 1560 (Complex Variables and Applications)
- Although not required for the program, PHYS 0475 and 0476 (UHC Introduction to Physics) and 0577 (Modern Physical Measurements) are particularly appropriate for honors students.
- PHYS 1173 (Mathematical Methods in Physics) is strongly recommended as an elective for students in the honors program.
- Curriculum for the BA in Physics and Astronomy
The following courses are required for a BA degree in physics and astronomy:
- PHYS 0104, 0105, and 0106 (Basic Physics for Science and Engineering 1, 2, and 3) or 0475 and 0476 (Honors Introductory Physics for Science and Engineering)
- PHYS 0219 (Basic Laboratory Physics for Science and Engineering)
- PHYS 1119 (Principles of Modern Physics 1)
- PHYS 1134 (History of Modern Physics)
- ASTRON 0113 (Introduction to Astronomy)
- Two upper-level courses from the following list:
- ASTRON 1120 (Stars, Stellar Structure and Stellar Evolution)
- ASTRON 1121 (Galaxies and Cosmology)
- ASTRON 1263 (Techniques of Astronomy)
- GEOL 1701 (Geology of the Planets)
- MATH 0220, 0230, and 0240 (Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1, 2, and 3)
- At least one course in history or philosophy of science is also required.
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| UNDERGRADUATE BULLETIN 1999 - 2002 | [ Previous Page | Table of Contents | Next Page ] |