2001-03 Catalog
Physics Requirements

The physics discipline is committed to providing students with an intellectually challenging and personally rewarding program toward the development of the whole person, to which the College is committed. The physics program is designed to (1) prepare students for graduate study in physics or a related field of science or engineering, and for careers in high school teaching, industry and other areas, (2) meet the needs of students in pre-engineering and other pre-professional as well as chemistry, geology, and biology major programs, and (3) provide an opportunity to secure a general knowledge of physics for students whose major program is outside of natural science.

Graduate School Advisor: Dr. Takamasa Takahashi

Physics Major (14 courses, 9 in physics): Prospective physics majors are encouraged to begin their study of physics and mathematics in the freshman year. Physics courses are mostly sequential and are developed in close association with mathematics courses. Physics majors may be required to take the Major Field Test in their senior year as part of an on-going assessment component of the Physics program.

Required courses for the major are PY 121, 122, 211, 225, 241, 311, 321, 325, and 411. (For secondary education certification in physics, PY 141 should be substituted for PY 411).

Additional courses required are MT 131, 132, 233, 310, and CS 110.

Courses that are often recommended include PY 495; MT 303, 315, 321; CH 105, 107. Graduate study in physics toward a Ph.D. degree often requires a reading knowledge of a foreign language - German and French are most valuable.

The following paradigm lists science and mathematics courses that are recommended for a student who wishes a strong background for graduate study in physics. More courses are listed than the minimum for a physics major. The courses superscripted by a 1 or 2 indicate those to be taken by students entering in an odd or even year, respectively. (*MT 310 will be taken in either year 2 or year 3, depending on when it is offered).

Year 1: PY 121, PY 122, MT131, MT 132, CS 110

Year 2: PY 241, PY 211, PY 225¹, MT 233, MT 310*

Year 3: PY 311¹, PY 411¹, PY 325¹, PY 321², PY 225², CH 105, CH 107, MT elective

Year 4: PY 321¹, PY 311², PY 411², PY 325², PY 495, PY elective, MT elective

Physics Academic Minor (6 courses): PY 121, 122, 211, 241, 311 or 321, MT 310. Cognate requirements are MT 131, 132, and 233.

Physics Teaching Minor (6 courses): PY 121, 122, 141, 211, 225 and 241.

Pre-engineering: The physics and the pre-engineering programs are closely related. Pre-engineering students should enroll in General Physics (PY 121 and 122) and take selected advanced physics courses(numbered above 200) as well as a full year of chemistry (CH 105 and 107) and math courses in calculus (MT 131, 132, 233, and 310). Each student will develop his/her own pre- engineering program in consultation with the advisor. See also the Catalog section on Pre-professional programs.

Students with majors in biology, chemistry, geology, mathematics, and pre-professional students are advised, or required, to take PY 121 and 122.

Physics · Physics Course Descriptions

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