Basic Structure of the Department
- The department offers three basic majors: 1) Physics 2) Engineering Physics
and 3) Astronomy.
- The Physics major offers a solid training in the fundamentals of the
discipline.
- Engineering Physics is a major done in conjunction with Thayer (comparable
to a modified major)
- Astronomy is a separate major which includes relevant study
in Physics.
- The portal to all three of these majors is PHYS 13 (Introductory Physics I)
and PHYS 14 (Introductory Physics II). Students entering with credit for MATH 3
can take these fall and winter terms respectively, but they are also offered in
winter and spring. Especially motivated and well-prepared students may select
the more rigorous honors sequence, PHYS 15 (Intro to Physics I - Honors) and 16
(Intro to Physics II - Honors), offered in fall and winter terms respectively,
which take the place of the PHYS 13-14-19 sequence.
Fall courses for the interested first-year student
-
Astronomy
- ASTR 2: Exploring the Universe
-
Physics
- PHYS 13: Introductory Physics I (MATH 3, and credit or concurrent
enrollment in MATH 8 are prerequisite)
- PHYS 15: Introductory Physics I, Honors Section (credit or concurrent
enrollment in MATH 8, and permission of the instructor are prerequisite)
Winter courses for the interested first-year student
-
Astronomy
- ASTR 1: Exploration of the Solar System
-
Physics
- PHYS 13: Introductory Physics I (MATH 3, and credit or concurrent
enrollment in Math 8 are prerequisite)
- PHYS 14: Introductory Physics II (for those who completed PHYS 13 in the
Fall, credit for MATH 8 is prerequisite)
- PHYS 16: Introductory Physics II, Honors Section (for those who completed
PHYS 15 in the Fall, credit for or concurrent enrollment in Math 13 or 14 is
prerequisite)
Spring courses for the interested first-year student
-
Astronomy
- ASTR 15: The Stars and the Milky Way (an introductory Physics course or
permission of the instructor, and MATH 3 are prerequisite)
-
Physics
- PHYS 1: Understanding the Universe: Physics through the Ages
- PHYS 14: Introductory Physics II (PHYS 13 and MATH 8 are prerequisite)
Information for the first-year student who plans on pursuing studies in
Physics and/or Astronomy
- Students should begin with PHYS 13 (fall or winter), followed by PHYS 14
(winter or spring); or PHYS 15 (fall) followed by PHYS 16 (winter).
- Students interested in Astronomy should consider taking ASTR 15 (spring).
An introductory course in Physics, and credit for MATH 3 are prerequisite.
- PHYS 19 (offered fall term) follows the PHYS 13-14 sequence. A student who
completes the PHYS 15-16 sequence may proceed directly to Phys 24. A
student who takes 13 and 14 in their first year can then enroll in 19 in the
fall of their sophomore year. On rare occasions, an exceptionally well-prepared
student will place out of PHYS 13-14 and take PHYS 19 in the fall of their
first year. Entry by departmental placement examination, or permission of the
instructor.
Answers to other questions about courses and other considerations
- PHYS 3 (offered in fall 2007, and again in summer 2008) and PHYS 4 (offered
in winter or spring 2008) is a terminal physics track for students who need
some knowledge of Physics for another course of study (if they are pre-med, or
Chemistry majors). The Physics 3-4 sequence is not generally elected by
first-year students.
- ASTR 1: Exploration of the Solar System (offered winter 2008), is designed
for non-majors and fulfills the Science with Lab (SLA) requirement.
- ASTR 2 or 3 (Exploring the Universe) is geared toward the interested
non-specialist. ASTR 2 and 3 meet at the same time, but ASTR 3 includes a lab
additionally. ASTR 2 fulfills the SCI requirement. ASTR 3 fulfills the SLA
requirement. Both are offered in fall 2007. No student may receive credit for
both ASTR 2 and 3.
Current
Enrollments, Class Size, and Distributives
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