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The Physics department in its curriculum endeavors to provide a unified presentation of all the major areas in physics to fulfill the needs and interests of a variety of students. This presentation is set in a liberal arts context such that in addition to the ideas, experiments, and theories, the philosophical and cultural implications of physics are considered.
The Department offers a comprehensive major designed to prepare students for graduate study in physics, engineering or related fields. The physics curriculum also provides for majors in teaching and interdisciplinary programs, as well as the physics component of pre-engineering and other preprofessional programs.
Through its offerings in Curriculum I and II, the Department provides distinct courses for the general education of students who are not engaged in science, but who would like to explore physics and astronomy.
Major: 9.5 courses in physics, including PHY-200, PHY-201, PHY-220, PHY-221, PHY-230, PHY-240, PHY-241, PHY-260, PHY-270, PHY-271, and PHY-305, and one course from another laboratory science (biology, chemistry or geology). No course graded below C- shall count toward the physics major. It is important that students considering a major in physics begin their studies with PHY-200 and PHY-201in the fall semester of their first year.
Physics Teaching Major: This major is only for students who have been admitted into the Minnesota licensure program to teach all areas of science in grades 5 through 8 and physics in grades 9 through 12. It requires the core science and education courses for secondary education and also the requirements for the physics major. In addition to the mathematics and physics courses required for the physics major, the following core science courses are also required: BIO-101, BIO-102, CHE-107, GEG-108, GEO-111, PHY-102, and EDU-248. Please see the Education department section of this bulletin for a listing of the Education courses required.
Department Honors in Physics:
Purpose: To promote individual excellence in physics through directed research and demonstration of significant knowledge of the discipline.
Requirements:
1. The physics major, including PHY-300, PHY-350, PHY-380, and PHY-390.
2. A minimum g.p.a. in physics courses of 3.25.
3. At least 1.0 course in research in physics (PHY-291 and/or PHY-391).
4. Completion of the Graduate Record Exam in Physics.
5. Completion and defense of a senior thesis based on the student’s research, as described in the Physics Department Handbook.
Applications for honors in physics must be received by the department chair and accepted before the beginning of the student’s last semester. Application forms are available from the department chair.
Minor: 5.625 courses in physics, no more than one at Level I. No course graded below C- shall count toward the minor.
Students preparing for graduate studies in physics or engineering are encouraged to take the following courses in addition to those required for the major: PHY-310, PHY-300, PHY-350, PHY-360, PHY-370, PHY-380, and PHY-390. Also recommended are CHE-107, MCS-321, and MCS-353.
Sequential courses and courses with prerequisites require that prior courses have been completed with a grade of C- or better.