Physics Minor

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.

1. 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.
2. 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 .
3. 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.

• PHYS 020 - Discovering Physics
• PHYS 030 - The Nature of Light
• PHYS 110 - Introductory Physics - Part I
• PHYS 111 - Introductory Physics - Part II
• PHYS 120 - Introductory Physics - Part I
• PHYS 121 - Introductory Physics – Part II
• PHYS 127 - Computer Simulation Laboratory
• PHYS 130 - Oscillations, Waves and Optics
• PHYS 131 - Quantum Physics and Relativity

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

Physics Courses

• PHYS 020 - Discovering Physics
• PHYS 030 - The Nature of Light
• PHYS 110 - Introductory Physics - Part I
• PHYS 111 - Introductory Physics - Part II
• PHYS 120 - Introductory Physics - Part I
• PHYS 121 - Introductory Physics – Part II
• PHYS 123 - Methods of Physics
• PHYS 127 - Computer Simulation Laboratory
• PHYS 130 - Oscillations, Waves and Optics
• PHYS 131 - Quantum Physics and Relativity
• PHYS 140 - Energy, the Environment, and Climate
• PHYS 145 - Physics of Biomolecular networks
• PHYS 150 - Statistical and Thermal Physics
• PHYS 160 - Classical Mechanics
• PHYS 161 - Electricity and Magnetism
• PHYS 165 - Continuum Mechanics
• PHYS 169 - Information Theory, Inference, and Networks
• PHYS 171 - Introduction to Quantum Mechanics
• PHYS 201 - Classical Dynamics
• PHYS 202 - Electrodynamics
• PHYS 205 - Quantum Mechanics – Part I
• PHYS 206 - Quantum Mechanics – Part II
• PHYS 209 - Statistical Mechanics
• PHYS 219 - Electronics Laboratory
• PHYS 243 - Technology of Renewable Energy
• PHYS 290 - Senior Seminar
• PHYS 299 - Directed Studies in Physics