Physics Major

The major in physics is designed to provide flexibility, so that students can match a program of study with their interests. Students may choose the general track or may select a concentration in astrophysics, or physics and engineering (dual degree program). The major consists of a core curriculum, together with electives associated with each track or concentration.

Advisers: L. Brown, B. Chomiak, M. Diagne, M. Monce, M. Seifert, D. Thompson, M. Weinstein

Requirements

Core Courses

PHY 109	ADVANCED GENERAL PHYSICS I	4
	and
PHY 110	ADVANCED GENERAL PHYSICS II	4
	or
PHY 107	GENERAL PHYSICS	4
	and
PHY 108	GENERAL PHYSICS	4
PHY 215	MODERN PHYSICS	4
PHY 319	CLASSICAL MECHANICS	4
PHY 324	ELECTROMAGNETIC THEORY	4
MAT 212	MULTIVARIABLE CALCULUS	4

Note: Students with Advanced Placement credit for the Physics 1 or 2 examination may take a departmental placement test to enter the Physics sequence at the PHY 108 or PHY 110 level.

Electives:

General Track

In addition to the core curriculum, students majoring in physics with the general track must take the following:

PHY 208	EXPERIMENTAL PHYSICS	4
PHY 320	THERMODYNAMICS/STATISCL MECH	4
PHY 404	QUANTUM MECHANICS	4
	one elective in astronomy, geophysics, or physics

The elective cannot be satisfied by Physics Individual Study courses except with permission of the department. Students should be aware that MAT 225 and MAT 226 are prerequisites for PHY 404, and that MAT 225 is either a prerequisite or recommended for other courses in this track.

Students considering graduate school in physics are strongly urged to take PHY 410.

Astrophysics Concentration

In addition to the core curriculum, students with a concentration in astrophysics must take the following:

PHY 208	EXPERIMENTAL PHYSICS	4
PHY 404	QUANTUM MECHANICS	4
AST 105	SOLAR SYSTEM ASTRONOMY	4
AST 110	BEYOND THE SOLAR SYSTEM	4
AST 201	INTRO TO ASTROPHYSICS	4
AST 210	OBSERVATIONAL TECHNIQUES	4
	or
AST 310	ORIGIN/FATE OF OUR UNIVERSE	4

Students should be aware that MAT 225 and MAT 226 are prerequisites for PHY 404, and that MAT 225 is either a prerequisite or recommended for other courses in this concentration.

The following courses are strongly recommended for students considering graduate school in astrophysics:

STA 107	INTRODUCTION TO STATISTICS	4
	or
MAT 312	MATH METH FOR PHYS SCIENCES	4
CHM 103	GENERAL CHEMISTRY	4
	and
CHM 104	GENERAL CHEMISTRY	4
	or
CHM 107	ADV GENERAL CHEMISTRY	4
	and
CHM 204	INORGANIC CHEMISTRY	5
COM 110	CC:INTRO COMP SCI & PROB SOLV	4
COM 212	DATA STRUCTURES	4

Physics and Engineering (Dual Degree Program) Concentration:

This program requires five years of study, three at Connecticut College and two at Washington University in St. Louis.  Students completing this program will receive a bachelor of arts degree from Connecticut College, as well as a bachelor of science from Washington University (in engineering or applied science).  During the three years at Connecticut College, a student is expected to earn at least seventy-five percent of the credits required for a degree from Connecticut College and to complete all General Education requirements.  A student should have a grade point average of at least 3.0 and a strong record in mathematics and science to apply for admission to the program.

Students choosing this concentration are required to complete the core curriculum while at Connecticut College, as well as the following:

MAT 225	ORDINARY DIFF EQUATIONS	4
COM 212	DATA STRUCTURES	4
CHM 103	GENERAL CHEMISTRY	4
CHM 104	GENERAL CHEMISTRY	4
	or
CHM 107	ADV GENERAL CHEMISTRY	4
	or
CHM 204	INORGANIC CHEMISTRY	5

Students must complete equivalents to PHY 320 (or PHY 342) and PHY 404, approved beforehand by the department at Connecticut College, during the two years at Washington University.

The degree is not awarded until the engineering or applied science program is completed, normally five years after admission to Connecticut College. Students are advised, however, that credits for engineering or other technical courses may not be counted toward the requirements for a major or minor at Connecticut College.

Admission to the program does not assure financial aid.

For further details, contact Mohamed Diagne.