Physics

About the Department

The department addresses the needs of physics majors, Dual Degree Engineering students, and other science majors. The department also supports the university's liberal arts emphasis by providing coursework for students majoring in all areas, in order to broaden their intellectual reach. Several courses for non-science majors focus on the historical development of scientific ideas and the connection of physics with other realms of human endeavor.

The mission of the Department of Physics is to educate undergraduate students in the fundamental ideas and methods of physics. The department strives to provide an environment of scientific inquiry and discovery on the part of both students and faculty. It offers a curriculum of classical and modern physics that prepares students for careers as scientists and citizens. Students who complete a Physics major acquire an understanding of the principles of mechanics, optics, electromagnetism, quantum mechanics, and relativity. They will be experienced problem solvers, adept at translating a physical situation into a mathematical problem. They will have experienced the satisfaction and frustration of experimental work. They will be able to learn from books.

The Bachelor of Science and the Bachelor of Arts degrees are both appropriate for students who are planning advanced studies in physics or are interested in careers in engineering, biophysics, astronomy, meteorology, oceanography, geophysics, mathematical physics, education, law, environmental physics, and the history and philosophy of science.

Independent research projects and senior thesis presentations are encouraged of all Physics majors. Students who complete distinguished projects will be eligible for graduation with Honors in Physics.