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Dec 03, 2024
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Academic Bulletin 2024-2025
Physics Major
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 Return to: Areas of Study
Faculty: Poynor (Chair), Lombardi, Petasis, Willey
The Physics major is a program in the Mathematics and Natural Sciences Area of Study.
Physics Major Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete a major in Physics are expected to
- Demonstrate strong analytical and problem-solving skills and some degree of physical intuition;
- Have a broad understanding of the fundamentals of physics, the connections between the different areas of physics and the limitations of each;
- Be able to design and carry-out an independent research project;
- Understand the societal impacts of science and technology;
- Appreciate physics as a valuable human endeavor.
The Physics Major
The Physics major, consisting of 60 credits, leads to the Bachelor of Science degree. At graduation, Physics majors must have a GPA of at least 2.0 in the major. The calculation is based on all Physics courses taken at Allegheny on a letter-grade basis, with the following exception: courses below the 100-level (e.g. PHYS 021 ). Only the most recent grade is considered for courses that have been repeated. Only the first Physics course taken at Allegheny (usually PHYS 101 or PHYS 110 ) may be taken on a Credit/No Credit basis. A maximum of 24 transfer credits may be counted toward the major; exceptions must be approved by the department chair.
Physics has become rather broad, ranging from interdisciplinary subdisciplines in astrophysics, biophysics and chemical physics, to traditional subdisciplines in condensed matter physics and optical physics. In order to provide some focus for the student, each student who declares physics as a major must work with an advisor in the physics department to plan a course of study which may be either a standard physics emphasis or a major with an interdisciplinary emphasis. With the aid of his or her advisor, the student must prepare, for departmental approval, a written description and rationale for the course of study. This description must be submitted by the end of the fourth week of the junior year (typically fall semester). It must include a plan of courses to be taken and how those courses satisfy the student’s goals.
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Basic Science Courses:
- At least 4 credits from the Natural Science Division that are at the 100-level or above and are not in Physics or Mathematics. The department strongly recommends that these credits be taken during the first or second year.
Intermediate Courses:
- A minimum of 12 credits in Physics at the 300-level is required
Advanced Courses:
- At least 4 credits (that is, two 2 credit courses) in Physics at the 400-level.
- 2 credits of Junior Seminar (PHYS 580 )
- At least 4 credits of Senior Project (PHYS 620 , or PHYS 600 and PHYS 610 ).
Note:
The standard physics emphasis is for those students interested in pursuing a more traditional course of study. These students would consider taking PHYS 310 , PHYS 340 , PHYS 330 or PHYS 350 , PHYS 365 , and PHYS 370 or PHYS 380 . Any Physics course at the 400-level would be useful to this emphasis.
Examples of possible interdisciplinary emphases and possible courses beyond the core courses are described below:
- Applied Physics: Students interested in applied physics or who plan to go on into engineering disciplines might construct an emphasis that includes both experimental physics courses, PHYS 330 and PHYS 350 along with PHYS 310 , PHYS 340 or PHYS 370 , PHYS 365 . CHEM 120 , CHEM 122 and an additional chemistry course should also be considered. Most physics courses at the 400-level would be useful for this emphasis.
- Astrophysics: Students interested in physics and astronomy might construct an emphasis that includes PHYS 320 ; PHYS 310 , PHYS 340 or PHYS 350 , PHYS 365 , and PHYS 380 . Courses at the 400-level most useful for this emphasis would be PHYS 420-429 .
- Biophysics: Students interested in the relationship between physics and biology might construct an emphasis that includes PHYS 330 or PHYS 350 , PHYS 380 , CHEM 120 , and BIO 220 . Other relevant courses are BIO 220 , NEURO 110 , and NEURO 405 .
- Chemical Physics: Students interested in the relationship between physics and chemistry might construct an emphasis that includes PHYS 330 or PHYS 350 , PHYS 370 , and PHYS 380 , along with CHEM 120 , CHEM 122 and CHEM 231 . Courses at the 400-level most useful for this emphasis would be PHYS 440-449 .
Students are advised that if they are interested in pursuing graduate studies, there may be courses beyond the minimum requirements that they should consider. Such courses might include specific upper level physics courses as well as additional math, computer science, chemistry, or biology depending on the student’s particular interest.
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Return to: Areas of Study
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