General Physics

May be elected as a departmental concentration program.

Prerequisites to Concentration. Mathematics through Mathematics 216 (or the equivalent); Physics 140/141 and 240/241 (or Physics 125/127 and 126/128), and Physics 340/341.

Concentration Program. At least 31 credits, including at least 21 in physics courses numbered 390 and above. A concentration plan must include:

1. Physics 390, 401, 405, 406, and 453.

   Physics 401 and 405 should precede Physics 453; Physics 453 is a prerequisite to most courses numbered above 453.

2. Six credits from the following: Physics 402, 411, 413, 419, 435, 438, 451, 452, 455, 457, 460, 463, and 489.
3. Mathematics 450 (or the equivalent)
4. Cognates: Six credits of courses from one cognate department, selected in consultation with and approved by the concentration advisor. Mathematics 450 may not be included in these six credits.

Physics and Society Option. This program, administered jointly by the Physics Department and the Residential College, is designed for students who wish to concentrate in physics and also who are interested in such fields as energy policy, law and science, public administration, and other fields that require an understanding of the relationship between science and society. In addition to the minimum requirements, students must complete a minimum of three courses (9-12 credits) in Science and Society.

The Science and Society courses are chosen in consultation with and must be approved by the Residential College Science Program advisor. Contact the advisor at 763-0032 or stop by at 134 Tyler East Quad. These courses, addressing various dimensions of the social relations of science and technology (e.g., history and sociology of science, science policy), are upper-level courses (300 and above). They may be used to satisfy the cognate requirement for the General Physics concentration (requirement #4). One course may also partially satisfy the requirement for six credits of 400-level physics courses specified under requirement #2. Science and Society courses in physics used to satisfy requirement #2 must also be approved by the Physics Department. One of the Science and Society courses may be an Independent Study with a major experiential component (e.g., an internship in an organization that addresses issues related to science policy) and a required report analyzing the experience. It is permissible for concentrators to take the Science and Society courses in several departments.

Physics 390, 401, 405, 406, and 453 must be completed with a minimum grade of a C- in each course and a cumulative average of C or higher.

Advising

Teaching Certificate

Courses in Physics