The ideas of physics have a profound significance for anyone who would think about nature and its intelligibility. The department offers a sequence of courses that provides an opportunity for students to study the models, theories, and laws that have been developed in an attempt to describe the physical universe.
In addition to serving the general liberal arts education, the department offers majors in physics, applied physics, and engineering physics (3-2 engineering program). The department also offers minors in physics and engineering science.
Course Sequence - Classes of 2015 - 2017
Please refer to the Online College Catalogue and consult with your academic advisor for recommended course sequencing. Revised graduation requirements for each graduating class can be found in the Guide to the Core Curriculum.
Course Sequence - Class of 2018 and Beyond
Freshman Year
Conversatio I - Conversatio II
Freshman English - Core Course
Mathematics 170 - Mathematics 180
Physics 131 - Physics 132
In subsequent years, students majoring in Physics will continue to take courses in Physics and Mathematics, along with core courses and 3 free electives.
Major requirements include:
- PS 131-132 - Calculus-Based Physics I - II
- PS 231 - Modern Physics
- PS 235 - Computational Physics
- PS 382 - Classical Mechanics
- PS 383 - Quantum Mechanics
- PS 451 - Research & Design Seminar
- PS 452 - Research in Physics
- Two technical electives at the 200-level or higher in Physics
- One technical elective at the 300-level or higher in Physics
- MA 170 - Calculus I
- MA 180 - Calculus II
- MA 210 - Calculus III
- MA 220 - Vector Analysis and Differential Equations
(1 credit hour)
[1 credit hour]
(not req for teacher cert)
[not required for teacher certification or dual-degree (3-2) engineering programs]