Physics (BA)
Program Mission
The mission of the Physics Program is to foster curiosity about the laws governing the physical world, enlighten students in critical thinking, and instruct them on applying the scientific method. Graduates of the program are prepared for careers in physics and physics-related fields, or the pursuit of advanced degrees. Graduates can pursue advanced degrees in diverse fields, including physics, medicine, teaching, engineering, or law.
Program Outcomes
- Graduates will have conceptual knowledge of physics within the framework of a liberal arts education.
- Graduates will be proficient in fundamental laboratory skills, including data analysis, and the use of instrumentation.
- Graduates will be able to access, interpret, and utilize scientific materials as well as clearly and concisely communicate scientific results via oral and written reports.
- Graduates will have the tools to succeed in a career in a physics-related field, graduate studies in physics, teaching, or the pursuit of advanced degrees in medicine, teaching, or the law.
- Graduates will have the interpersonal and professional skills to effectively work within teams and be project leader of teams of varied cultural and experiential backgrounds regardless of cultural differences.
Guidelines for Acceptance to a Physics & Astronomy Department Major
In order to ensure that students are on a successful academic trajectory, it is recommended that students who have not earned at least a C average in both PHYS-2100 Classical Physics I, Classical Physics I, and PHYS-2110 Classical Physics II, Classical Physics II, should not declare a major in the Physics & Astronomy Department. Students who have not achieved this minimum grade guideline but who still seek acceptance to a major in the Physics & Astronomy Department must meet with and receive approval from the Department Chair.
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Requirements (35-36 hours) | ||
| PHYS-2100 & PHYS-2101 | Classical Physics I and Classical Physics I Lab | 4 |
| PHYS-2110 & PHYS-2111 | Classical Physics II and Classical Physics II Lab | 4 |
| PHYS-3200 | Relativity & Atomic Physics | 3 |
| PHYS-3201 | Modern Physics Lab | 1 |
| PHYS-3210 | Nuclear & Elementary Particle Physics | 2 |
| PHYS-3211 | Modern Physics Lab II | 1 |
| PHYS-4100 | Mechanics I | 3 |
| or ENGR-2310 | Dynamics | |
| PHYS-3500 | Electronics | 4 |
| PHYS-4600 | Electricity & Magnetism I | 3 |
| PHYS-4300 & PHYS-4301 | Optics and Optics Laboratory | 4 |
| PHYS-COMP | Senior Comprehensive Exam | 0 |
| PHYS-4900 | Physics Colloquium | 0 |
| PHYS-4901 | Physics Colloquium | 0 |
| PHYS-4902 | Physics Colloquium | 0 |
| PHYS-4903 | Physics Colloquium | 0 |
| Two additional upper-division courses in physics or astronomy | 6-7 | |
| Required Supporting Courses (25-27 hours) | ||
| CHEM-1200 | General Chemistry I Lecture | 3 |
| CHEM-1210 | General Chemistry II Lecture | 3 |
| CHEM-1201 | General Chemistry I Lab | 1 |
| CHEM-1211 | General Chemistry II Lab | 1 |
| Select one of the following: | 2-4 | |
| Programming for Scientists & Engineers | ||
| Introduction to Computer Science I | ||
| Computer Applications in Engineering | ||
| MATH-1300 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MATH-1350 | Calculus II | 4 |
| MATH-2300 | Calculus III | 4 |
| MATH-3100 | Differential Equations | 3 |
| Recommended Supporting Courses | ||
| Linear Algebra | ||
| Discrete Mathematical Structures I | ||
| Numerical Computation | ||
| Total Hours | 60-63 | |
Suggested Sequence of Courses for a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Physics
| Freshman Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | |
| PHYS-2100 | Classical Physics I 1 | 3 |
| PHYS-2101 | Classical Physics I Lab | 1 |
| CHEM-1200 | General Chemistry I Lecture | 3 |
| CHEM-1201 | General Chemistry I Lab | 1 |
| MATH-1300 | Calculus I 1 | 4 |
| Foreign Language | 4 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| PHYS-2110 & PHYS-2111 |
Classical Physics II and Classical Physics II Lab |
4 |
| MATH-1350 | Calculus II | 4 |
| CHEM-1210 | General Chemistry II Lecture | 3 |
| CHEM-1211 | General Chemistry II Lab | 1 |
| EXSC-1115 | Wellness for Life | 1 |
| Foreign Language | 4 | |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Sophomore Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| PHYS-3200 | Relativity & Atomic Physics | 3 |
| PHYS-3201 | Modern Physics Lab | 1 |
| MATH-2300 | Calculus III | 4 |
| THEO-1100 | Introduction to Theology | 3 |
| PHIL-2100 | Principles of Nature | 3 |
| Oral Communication | 3 | |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| PHYS-3210 | Nuclear & Elementary Particle Physics | 2 |
| PHYS-3211 | Modern Physics Lab II | 1 |
| MATH-3100 | Differential Equations | 3 |
| CSCI-2300 | Programming for Scientists & Engineers | 3 |
| PHYS-3500 | Electronics | 4 |
| Historical Inquiry Foundation | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Junior Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| PHYS-4100 | Mechanics I | 3 |
| PHYS-4900 | Physics Colloquium | 0 |
| ENGL-1010 | English Composition | 3 |
| Faith Foundation | 3 | |
| Historical Inquiry Foundation | 3 | |
| Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| PHYS-4300 | Optics | 3 |
| PHYS-4301 | Optics Laboratory | 1 |
| PHYS-4901 | Physics Colloquium | 0 |
| Philosophical Inquiry Foundation | 3 | |
| EXSC Fitness Course | 1 | |
| Visual Communication | 3 | |
| Aesthetic Experience | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Senior Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| PHYS-4600 | Electricity & Magnetism I | 3 |
| PHYS-4902 | Physics Colloquium | 0 |
| PHYS or ASTR upper division elective | 3 | |
| Faith Foundation | 3 | |
| Philosophical Inquiry Foundation | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| PHYS-4910 | Physics & Astronomy Research | 1 |
| PHYS-4903 | Physics Colloquium | 0 |
| PHYS-COMP | Senior Comprehensive Exam | 0 |
| PHYS or ASTR upper division elective | 3 | |
| Aesthetic Experience | 3 | |
| Person and Community Foundation | 3 | |
| Elective | 6 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Total Hours | 129 | |
- 1
Students not ready for Calculus I this semester should enroll in a general education class instead of Classical Physics.
- 2
Recommended: PHYS-4200 Mathematical Methods for Physics