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College of Arts and Sciences - Curriculum Guide

Physics

Paul M. Champion, PhD, Professor and Chair

Matthews Distinguished University Professors Jorge V. José, PhD Pran Nath, PhD Stephen Reucroft, PhD Fa-Yueh Wu, PhD College of Arts and Sciences Distinguished Professors Alain S. Karma, PhD Srinivas Sridhar, PhD Professors Ronald Aaron, PhD Arun Bansil, PhD David A. Garelick, PhD Haim Goldberg, PhD Donald E. Heiman, PhD Robert S. Markiewicz, PhD Clive H. Perry, PhD Jeffrey B. Sokoloff, PhD Yogendra N. Srivastava, PhD Tomasz Taylor, PhD Michael T. Vaughn, PhD Eberhard von Goeler, PhD Allan Widom, PhD

Associate Professors George O. Alverson, PhD Nathan Israeloff, PhD Marie E. Machacek, PhD J. Timothy Sage, PhD John D. Swain, PhD Darien Wood, PhD Assistant Professor Sergey Kravchenko, PhD Professors Emeriti Petros N. Argyres, PhD Alan H. Cromer, PhD William L. Faissler, PhD Michael J. Glaubman, PhD Bertram J. Malenka, PhD Eugene J. Saletan, PhD

Physics examines the fundamental principles that govern natural phenomena, ranging in scale from collisions of subatomic particles, through the behavior of solids, liquids, and biomolecules, to exploding stars and colliding galaxies. The program aims to help students experience the intellectual stimulation of studying physics and astrophysics and the excitement of frontline research; understand the basic principles and techniques of physics-related careers; and prepare for graduate study in physics or related fields.

The department offers four levels of undergraduate courses: descriptive courses for nonscience majors with limited mathematical background; general survey courses for students in scientific and engineering fields; advanced courses primarily intended for physics majors; and highly advanced courses primarily intended for prospective graduate students.

In addition to work in industrial, government, or high-technology laboratories in areas of applied physics, students may find opportunities in such fields as biophysics, computer science, geophysics, medical and radiation physics, and engineering. Many physics majors pursue advanced degrees in physics and related fields.

See course descriptions for more information.

Bachelor of Arts Curriculum

PHY 1221, PHY 1222, PHY 1223, Physics for Science and Engineering Students 1, 2, and 3, and associated labs PHY 1521, PHY 1522, PHY 1523; PHY 1300, Computer Physics; PHY 1302, Electric and Magnetic Fields; PHY 1303, Modern Physics; three upper-level physics lecture courses, and three upper-level lab courses.

MTH 1140, MTH 1141, MTH 1142, MTH 1243, MTH 1244, Calculus for Science Majors 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, and one advanced mathematics elective.

In addition, complete the arts and sciences core curriculum and the experiential education requirement.

Bachelor of Science Curriculum

PHY 1221, PHY 1222, PHY 1223, Physics for Science and Engineering Students 1, 2, and 3, and associated labs PHY 1521, PHY 1522, PHY 1523; PHY 1300, Computer Physics; PHY 1302, Electric and Magnetic Fields; PHY 1303, Modern Physics; PHY 1304, Mathematical Physics; PHY 1305, Thermodynamics and Kinetic Theory; PHY 1401, Classical Mechanics; PHY 1402, PHY 1403, Electricity and Magnetism 1 and 2; PHY 1404, Wave Motion and Optics; PHY 1415, Quantum Mechanics 1; and three upper-level lab courses.

MTH 1140, MTH 1141, MTH 1142, MTH 1243, MTH 1244, Calculus for Science Majors 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5; MTH 1245, MTH 1246, Differential Equations 1 and 2; and five additional science electives from those approved for majors in the following fields: physics, mathematics, computer science, chemistry, engineering, biology, and geology.

In addition, complete the arts and sciences core curriculum and the experiential education requirement.

Bachelor of Science in Applied Physics Curriculum

PHY 1221, PHY 1222, PHY 1223, Physics for Science and Engineering Students 1, 2, and 3, and associated labs PHY 1521, PHY 1522, PHY 1523; PHY 1302, Electric and Magnetic Fields; PHY 1303, Modern Physics; PHY 1305, Thermodynamics and Kinetic Theory; PHY 1404, Wave Motion and Optics; PHY 1551 and PHY 1552, Electronics for Scientists 1 and 2; PHY 1555, Wave Lab; PHY 1557, Advanced Lab; and PHY 1561, Project Lab.

MTH 1140, MTH 1141, MTH 1142, Calculus 1, 2, and 3; MTH 1243, MTH 1244, Calculus 4 and 5; MTH 1245, MTH 1246, Differential Equations 1 and 2.

COM 1100, Fundamentals of Computer Science; COM 1101, Algorithms and Data Structures 1; and COM 1201, Data Structures 2. Four additional electives from those approved for majors in the following fields: physics, mathematics, chemistry, computer science, engineering, biology, and geology.

In addition, complete the arts and sciences core curriculum and the experiential education requirement.

Minor in Physics Curriculum

PHY 1221, PHY 1222, PHY 1223, Physics for Science and Engineering Students 1, 2, and 3, and three upper-level lecture or lab courses from the following list: PHY 1301, PHY 1302, PHY 1303, PHY 1304, PHY 1305, PHY 1401, PHY 1402, PHY 1403, PHY 1404, PHY 1411, PHY 1412, PHY 1413, PHY 1414, PHY 1415, PHY 1416, PHY 1551, PHY 1552, and PHY 1555.

Minor in Instrumentation for Science Curriculum

The minor offers experience in the use of common laboratory instruments, the taking and analysis of data, and elementary skills in electronics. A primary goal of the minor is to prepare the student to design and construct relatively small-scale purpose measurement instrumentation.

Required courses: PHY 1221, PHY 1222, PHY 1223, Physics for Science and Engineering Students 1, 2, and 3; PHY 1555, Wave Laboratory; and PHY 1551, PHY 1552, Electronics for Scientists 1 and 2.

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