Physics
The Department of Physics offers a comprehensive program of study leading to the B.S. degree in Physics. This program is designed to prepare students not only for advanced graduate studies in physics or a related field but also for employment upon graduation in physics and other disciplines related to science and technology. Basic courses give聽students a solid foundation in the concepts of classical and modern physics and assist them in developing their analytical reasoning and problem-solving skills. Laboratory courses complement this experience with an opportunity to develop experimental skills and a working knowledge of advanced technology and computational techniques. Students are strongly encouraged to further develop all these skills by participating in advanced experimental, analytical, or computational research under the supervision of faculty mentors, and we聽will make every effort to find a suitable research聽opportunity for all interested students with our faculty members.
Physics Major
The minimum requirements for the B.S. degree with a major in Physics include 44 credits in Physics, as described below, and additional corequisites in Mathematics and other sciences.
Physics Requirements
- PHYS2200 (or PHYS2100*) Introductory Physics I聽
- PHYS2201 (or PHYS2101*) Introductory Physics II聽
- PHYS2050 Introductory Physics Lab I聽
- PHYS2051 Introductory Physics Lab II聽
- PHYS3100 Vibrations and Waves聽
- PHYS3300 Modern Physics聽
- PHYS4100 Classical Mechanics聽
- PHYS4200 Electricity and Magnetism聽
- PHYS4400 Quantum Physics I聽
- PHYS4401 Quantum Physics II聽
- PHYS4500 Applied Mathematics for Physical Scientists**
- PHYS4600 Statistical Mechanics and Thermodynamics聽At least 3 credits of a course, chosen from:
- PHYS4300 Numerical Methods and Scientific Computing***
- PHYS4951 Senior Thesis****
- PHYS4350 Experiments in Physics
*Physics majors are strongly recommended to take the PHYS2200-2201 sequence. PHYS2100-2101 is typically for Biology, Pre-med, and students fulfilling science requirements.
**Students may replace with both MATH2210 Linear Algebra and MATH4410 Differential Equations.
***PHYS4300 cannot be used to satisfy both this requirement and the computation requirement.
****Senior Thesis is recommended for students planning graduate work in Physics.
- At least 6 credits of an advanced (at or above the 4000 level) elective course. Courses vary from year-to-year, but recent offerings include:
- PHYS4505 Nuclear and Particle Physics聽
- PHYS4515 The Physics of Conventional and Alternative Energy聽
- PHYS4525 Foundations of Plasmonics聽
- PHYS4535 Nanoscale Integrated Science聽
- PHYS4545 Introduction to Condensed Matter Physics聽
- PHYS5555 Optics聽
- PHYS5540 General Relativity; Cosmological Implications
- PHYS4595 Introduction to Quantum Computing
- PHYS5520 鈥淏iophysics鈥�
- MATH4440 Dynamical Systems聽
- Advanced undergraduate Physics majors may, with departmental approval, enroll in first-year graduate courses, such as PHYS7711, 7732, or 7741.
Corequisites
Students are also required to take the following courses.
Mathematics
MATH2202 Multivariable Calculus*
聽*Students without advanced math placement will need to take introductory calculus courses, such as MATH1103, which is a prerequisite for MATH2202.
Chemistry
- CHEM1109鈥�1110 and associated labs; other science courses, along with their associated labs, may qualify but require prior departmental approval.
Computer Science
One Computer Science Course from the following:
- PHYS4300 Numerical Methods and Scientific Computing聽
- CSCI2227 Introduction to Scientific Computation聽
- CSCI2272 Computer Organization and Lab聽
- CSCI3311 Visualization聽
- CSCI2291 Data Science: Methods and Applications聽
- CSCI3370 Deep Learning
Applied Physics Major聽
The Applied Physics major provides a flexible platform for students to combine a strong interest in the concepts and analytical tools of physics with any one of the varied applications of those tools to societal problems. In consultation with our Undergraduate Program Director, students will tailor an interdisciplinary program of study to focus on topical areas such as quantum computation, materials science, energy and the environment, biophysics, mathematical physics, financial modeling, and more. The curriculum will culminate in a research project with a physics faculty member, or jointly supervised by faculty members from multiple departments. This track is recommended for students planning to enter the workforce after graduation rather than applying to graduate school in physics or related disciplines.
Physics Requirements
- PHYS2200 (or PHYS2100*) Introductory Physics I聽
- PHYS2201 (or PHYS2101*) Introductory Physics II聽
- PHYS2050 Introductory Physics Lab I聽聽
- PHYS2051 Introductory Physics Lab II
- PHYS3100 Vibrations and Waves聽
- PHYS3300 Modern Physics聽
- PHYS4500 Applied Math for Physical Scientists**
- PHYS4700 Survey of Applied Physics聽
- At least two of the following Advanced Physics Courses
- PHYS4100 Classical Mechanics聽
- PHYS4200 Electricity & Magnetism聽
- PHYS4400 Quantum Mechanics I聽
- PHYS4401 Quantum Mechanics II (QM I prerequisite)
- PHYS4600 Statistical Physics聽
* Physics majors are strongly recommended to take the PHYS2200-2201 sequence. PHYS2100-2101 is typically for Biology, Pre-med, and students fulfilling science requirements.
**Students may replace with both MATH2210 Linear Algebra and MATH4410 Differential Equations
- At least 3 elective courses at or above the 4000 level. May include courses from the Advanced Physics Course list above. Courses vary from year-to-year, but recent offerings include:聽
- PHYS4505 Nuclear and Particle Physics聽
- PHYS4515 The Physics of Conventional and Alternative Energy
- PHYS4525 Foundations of Plasmonics
- PHYS4535 Nanoscale Integrated Science
- PHYS4545 Introduction to Condensed Matter Physics
- PHYS5555 Optics
- PHYS5540 General Relativity; Cosmological Implications
- PHYS4595 Introduction to Quantum Computing
- PHYS5520 鈥淏iophysics鈥�
- MATH4440 Dynamical Systems
- Applied Physics Capstone Project PHYS4955
Corequisites
Applied Physics Majors are also required to take the following courses.
Mathematics
MATH2202 Multivariable Calculus***
***Students without advanced math placement will need to take introductory calculus courses, such as MATH1103, which is a prerequisite for MATH2202.
Computer Science
One Computer Science Course from the following:
- PHYS4300 Numerical Methods and Scientific Computing聽
- CSCI2227 Introduction to Scientific Computation聽
- CSCI2272 Computer Organization and Lab聽
- CSCI3311 Visualization聽
- CSCI2291 Data Science: Methods and Applications聽
- CSCI3370 Deep Learning
Other Science
Two introductory science courses聽outside of physics聽
Physics Minor Requirements聽
The minimum requirements for a minor in Physics include 24 credits in Physics and 8 corequisite credits, as described below:
- PHYS2200 Introductory Physics I聽
- PHYS2201 Introductory Physics II聽
- PHYS2050 Introductory Physics Lab I聽
- PHYS2051 Introductory Physics Lab II聽
- PHYS3100 Vibrations and Waves聽
- PHYS3300 Modern Physics聽
- Two upper-level courses (PHYS4000 and above) of 3 or more credits each.
Students should discuss course selection with the Undergraduate Program Director.
Information for First-Year Majors and Non-Majors
Physical science, computer science, and mathematics majors planning on taking physics in their freshman year should enroll in PHYS2200 and the associated lab PHYS2050. Biology majors and premedical students should enroll in PHYS2100 with the associated discussion section and lab PHYS2050. Depending on high school background, Physics majors take either the Calculus I鈥揑I sequence MATH1102鈥�1103, or Calculus II鈥揂P MATH1105 or start with Multivariable Calculus MATH2202. Note that MATH1100鈥�1101 is intended for Biology and Premedical students and is not sufficient calculus preparation for Physics majors.Students who are interested in studying abroad are strongly encouraged to do so during the spring semester of their junior year. While planning their study abroad program, Physics majors should meet with the Undergraduate Program Director. Students should inquire early at the Office of International Programs, and with possible host institutions, to arrange for a course of study appropriate for physics majors.
Information for Study Abroad聽
Before undertaking study abroad, it is strongly recommended that the Physics major complete PHYS2200, PHYS2201 (or PHYS2100, 2101) with labs, PHYS3100, PHYS3300 (also with labs), and the corequisite math course MATH2202. The Department typically allows a maximum of four courses taken abroad to count for major credit. Of these four courses, two should be major required courses, plus two Physics electives. The department recommends any program with a solid teaching and research program in physics.
Students who are interested in studying abroad are strongly encouraged to do so during the spring semester of their junior year. While planning their study abroad program, Physics majors should meet with the Undergraduate Program Director. Students should inquire early at the Office of International Programs, and with possible host institutions, to arrange for a course of study appropriate for physics majors.
Course Offerings聽
Courses numbered below 2000 are introductory courses directed primarily toward non-science majors. These courses have no prerequisites and need no mathematics beyond ordinary college entrance requirements. The courses that satisfy the Natural Science Core requirement are noted in the individual course descriptions. PHYS2100鈥�2101 Introductory Physics I, II (Calculus) or PHYS2200鈥�2201 Introduction to Physics I, II (Calculus) and PHYS2050鈥�2051 Introductory Physics Laboratory I and II are required of all Chemistry and Physics majors; Biology majors should consult the Biology Department regarding Physics requirements. Courses numbered above 3000 are advanced offerings primarily for Physics majors.