Program: Physics Minor - Clark University

Physics Overview

Physics is the most fundamental of the sciences and is an important part of a liberal-arts education. Introductory courses are designed for students in all majors and provide a background in physical principles, the observation of natural processes, the logic and nature of science, and the diverse applications of physics. For more information, please visit the Physics Department’s website.

Scientific Perspective Courses. PHYS 020 , PHYS 030 , PHYS 140 , ASTR 001 and ASTR 002 have no prerequisites and satisfy the scientific-perspective requirement of the Program of Liberal Studies. PHYS 110 and PHYS 120 can be taken in satisfaction of either the scientific-perspective or formal-analysis requirement, but not both. PHYS 111 , PHYS 121 ,
PHYS 127
, PHYS 130 and PHYS 131 , which also fulfill the scientific perspective, are primarily for science majors.
Introductory Sequences. Prospective science majors are urged to begin their study of physics during their first or second years. The department offers two sequences of introductory courses. PHYS 110 /PHYS 111 is a two-semester, noncalculus-based survey of physics appropriate for the majority of science majors, including environmental science and policy majors and premedical/predental students. PHYS 120 /PHYS 121 /PHYS 130 is a three-semester sequence, recommended for physics, chemistry and mathematics majors, which covers mechanics, electricity and magnetism, waves, and optics in more depth than the PHYS 110 /PHYS 111 sequence. Because PHYS 121 discusses the subject matter more deeply, it is less comprehensive than PHYS 111 , and should be followed by PHYS 130 . Physics majors are also required to enroll in PHYS 123 during their sophomore year.
Laboratory Courses. PHYS 110 , PHYS 111 , PHYS 120 , PHYS 121 ,
PHYS 127
, PHYS 130 , PHYS 131 and PHYS 219 offer laboratory experience. PHYS 110 and PHYS 111 fulfill the physics laboratory requirement for premedical/predental students.

Minor Requirements

The requirements for a minor in physics include six courses consisting of PHYS 120 /PHYS 121 (or PHYS 110 /PHYS 111 ), PHYS 130 , PHYS 131 and two additional electives approved by the undergraduate physics adviser. Students receiving credit for a scientific perspective course in physics prior to enrolling in PHYS 120 may use it to replace one elective course. Requirements are flexible and the undergraduate physics adviser can replace any of the required core courses for students who are prepared for more advanced training.

Physics Faculty

Program

Charles Agosta, Ph.D.
S. Leslie Blatt, Ph.D.
Michael Boyer, Ph.D.
Barbara Capogrosso Sansone, Ph.D.
Louis Colonna-Romano, M.S., MBA
Harvey Gould, Ph.D.
Arshad Kudrolli, Ph.D.
Christopher P. Landee, Ph.D.
Ranjan Mukhopadhyay, Ph.D.

Adjunct

Shuanghong Huo, Ph.D.

Emeriti

Roger P. Kohin, Ph.D.

Physics Courses

Courses offered within the last 2 Academic Years