OVERVIEW



The scope of the discipline of physics is wide, arguably the widest of all the sciences, since physics deals with all forms of mass-energy and their inter-relationships. Physicists study literally everything! Classical physics deals with entities on the scale of our usual everyday experience, while modern developments in physics--relativity and quantum theory and their applications--go far beyond. These developments are the basis of what is popularly known as "hi-tech." Although the end of the cold war has brought a cutback in defense-oriented research, the rising environmental awareness is beginning to increase the opportunities for physicists in instrumentation development, an area in which they have traditionally excelled. Consequently, physicists, particularly those with Ph.D. in the experimental side of the subject, are still generally in demand by industry and the antional laboratories. In addition, there is expected to be a demand arising in the late 1990s to replace the aging faculty in the nation's universities.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR

The Bachelor of Science or the Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in physics is available through the Department of Physics. Most people who obtain a BS in physics will go on to postgraduate studies in order to obtain an MS or Ph.D.

RECOMMENDED COURSES
First Year Fall Semester:
05-013 First-Year Colloquium
10-013 English Composition
52-153 Calculus I
51-153,151 Chemical Concepts & Props. I
53-154 Fundamentals of Physics I
First Year Spring Semester:
52-163 Calculus II
51-163,161 Chemical Concepts & Props. II
53-164 Fundamentals of Physics II
xx-013 Language
Perspectives on Knowledge- Group B

Sophomore Fall Semester:
xx-023 Language
53-304 Electronics, Physics
52-753 Differential Equations I, Math
19-xx3 Group C Perspectives on Knowledge
54-143 Introduction to Programming
Sophomore Spring Semester:
xx-113 Language
53-314 Elementary Modern Physics, Physics
52-763 Differential Eqquations II, Math
xx-xx3 Group G Perspectives on Knowledge
52-823 Calculus III, Math
1 hour FRA

Junior Fall Semester:
xx-123 Language
52-163 Linear Alg., Math
52-573 Probability, Math
53-324 Electromagnetism I, Physics
51-713,711 Physical Chem. I, Chemistry
Junior Spring Semester:
xx-xx3 Group A Perspectives on Knowledge
xx-xx3 Group F Perspectives on Knowledge
52-863 Complex Analysis, Math
53-334 Classical Mechanics I, Physics
51-723,721 Physical Chemistry II, Chemistry

Senior Fall Semester
53-413 Classical Mechanics II, Physics
53-403 Advanced Electromagnetism II, Physics
50-102 Cell and Molecular Biology
50-112 Biological Diversity and Interaction
18-xx3 Group D Perspectives on Knowledge
xx-xx3 Group G Perspectives on Knowledge
Senior Spring Semester
50-122 Heredity, Development and Population
50-132 Life Processes
53-423 Quantum Physics I, Physics
xx-xx3 Group F Perspectives on Knowledge
xx-xx3 Free elective
53-953 Independent Study in Physics
1 hour FRA


REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MINOR
A minor in Physics consists of 18 hours of physics from the above course list, 12 of which must be above the introductory level.