Of the four remaining physics course credits, two must come from the following set of advanced courses: PHY 310, 314, and 315. Requirements for a Major: Nine course credits in physics.
Students must have completed PHY 111, 112, 209, 210, PHY 381, and two out of three 300-level theory courses (PHY 310, 314, 315) prior to taking the exam. Recent graduates have gone on to work in physics research, engineering, computer programming, teaching, environmental studies, law, business, and other fields.įor Senior Comprehensives: Majors must pass a multi-part exam which requires them to demonstrate a coherent understanding of all the major areas of physics covered in the required courses, including computational and laboratory methods, and the ability to apply this understanding to solve specific problems. By integrating these skills with their liberal arts experiences, our students are prepared for a vast spectrum of careers. Our physics majors and minors will master valuable analysis and problem-solving skills, which can be applied to a wide variety of situations beyond physics. Only by balancing theoretical concepts with experimental reality can one reach a more complete understanding of the world.
However, since physics describes the real world, our curriculum also incorporates a significant laboratory component to ensure our students will learn how to interrogate Nature and understand the answers it gives. The language that best expresses these laws is mathematical, so there are a significant number of mathematics courses which serve as prerequisites for our courses. Our curriculum is designed to give our students a solid foundation for understanding these laws and how they were uncovered. Physics is the study of the fundamental laws that govern our universe.
Faculty in the Department of Physics: James Brown (chair), Dennis Krause, Martin Madsen, Danielle McDermott