A Physics major provides a rigorous grounding in the scientific process and a firm scientific understanding of the world. It fosters critical thinking and provides broad practical training in science and technology. It can lead to graduate study and basic research (in a variety of disciplines), to stimulating jobs in industry, or to challenging and rewarding careers in teaching. Our faculty is engaged in original research, and our students are drawn early into collaborative research projects with faculty.
The Physics minor consists of six courses:
The pre-requisites for the required courses are included in square brackets after each course name.
- PHYS 11100 – Physics for the Physical Sciences I
- PHYS 11200 – Physics for the Physical Sciences II [PHYS 111]
- PHYS 20100 – Modern Physics [PHYS 112]
- Three elective Physics courses, only one of which can be
- PHYS-103 – Physics Revolutions
- PHYS-104 – Astronomy of the Solar System
- PHYS-105 – Astronomy of Stars and Galaxies
- PHYS-106 – Environmental Physics
Special Notes
- The Physics for the Physical Sciences sequence PHYS 11100, PHYS 11200 is a prerequisite for the selection of Physics as a minor and is best taken the first year, although one can still complete the minor if the sequence is taken the second year.
- The Calculus Math sequence (four half-semester courses) MATH 11000, MATH 11500, MATH 12000, and MATH 12500 must be taken at least concurrently with the Physics for the Physical Sciences sequence.
- No student may receive credit for both PHYS 10700 and PHYS 11100, or for both PHYS 10800 and PHYS 11200.
- Advanced Placement: A student may receive credit if a score of 4 or 5 is obtained on any of the following AP examinations:
- Physics 1
- Physics 2
- Physics C: Mechanics
- Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism
- Students need to check with the chairperson of the department to determine whether they will receive one or two credits toward graduation and at what level they should begin their college Physics courses. The advanced placement policy of the College is explained in the section on Admission. Students who have taken a college level physics course (other than Advanced Level or AP Exam) and would like to place beyond the first Physics course need to take a placement exam that the chairperson administers.
- The laboratory and classroom components are closely integrated in Physics courses with a laboratory and must therefore be taken concurrently. The course grade and the laboratory grade will be identical and are based on performance in both components; the relative weight of the two components will be stated in each course syllabus.
- Physics minors can use the S/NC grading option for no more than two of the required courses.
- Only grades of C- or better are accepted for the minor.
- Only grades of C- or better are accepted as a prerequisite for 200-level courses and above.