Physics

What You'll Learn

Our Physics program aims to help you gain familiarity with the mathematical modeling of physical systems and the testing of those models through hands-on experiments.

Theoretical Physics

1. How to develop conceptual frameworks for understanding unfamiliar physical systems and translate those frameworks into a mathematical model.
2. How to investigate mathematical models using analytical and numerical methods.
3. How to analyze, interpret, and assess the reasonableness of a mathematical model’s predictions.
4. How to effectively communicate findings, both verbally and in writing, to diverse audiences.

Experimental Physics

1. How to design experiments to investigate hypotheses.
2. How to make order-of-magnitude estimates and identify and address sources of error in an experiment.
3. How to use standard laboratory equipment (e.g. oscilloscopes, DMMs, signal generators) and standard methods of data analysis (e.g. graphing, curve-fitting, statistical analysis, Fourier analysis).
4. How to analyze, interpret, and assess the reasonableness of experimental results.
5. How to effectively communicate experimental findings to diverse audiences, both verbally and in writing.

Major Requirements

A major in Physics requires a minimum of 13 courses plus a senior thesis.

• Lower-Division Physics Courses – Take all of the following courses or course combinations:
  • PHYS 033L KS – Principles of Physics (Fall) and PHYS 034L KS – Principles of Physics (spring)
  • PHYS 035 KS – Modern Physics with Computational Applications
• Mathematics Courses – Take all of the following courses:
  • MATH 031 PZ – Calculus II
  • MATH 032 PZ – Calculus III
  • MATH 102 PZ – Differential Equations/Modeling
• Upper-Division Physics Courses – Take all of the following courses:
  • PHYS 100 KS – Computational Physics & Engineering
  • PHYS 101 KS – Classical Mechanics with Computational Applications
  • PHYS 102 KS – Electromagnetism
  • PHYS 106L KS – Electronics Laboratory (or another 100-level laboratory course such as PHYS 174 PO – Contemporary Experimental Physics, or equivalent)
  • PHYS 108 KS – Programming for Science and Engineering (or a computer science course chosen in conjunction with your physics faculty advisor
  • PHYS 114 KS – Quantum Mechanics with Computational Applications
  • PHYS 115 KS – Statistical Physics with Computational Applications

A Note on Scheduling

Physics majors normally complete PHYS 033L KS and PHYS 034L KS in their first year and PHYS 035 KS in the fall of their sophomore year. The Calculus sequence (through MATH 032) is normally completed in the fall of sophomore year at the latest. Students can then take PHYS 100 KS, PHYS 102 KS, PHYS 115 KS, PHYS 108 KS, and differential equations (and/or linear algebra) in any order. PHYS 101 KS and PHYS 114 KS should only be taken after completing differential equations and linear algebra. 

If you're interested in potentially pursuing experimental work, we encourage you to take an additional advanced Physics laboratory course.