Courses Offered

• A two-term algebra-based introductory course with lab

  • Foundations of Physics I, II (25--40 students)

• A two-term calculus-based introductory course with lab

  • Principles of Classical Physics (30-40 students)
  • Principles of Modern Physics (30-40 students)

• Intermediate courses in theoretical and experimental physics

  (All required for the major; all but Electronics require Calculus, Differential Equations, and Linear Algebra; 8-15 students per course.)
  • Intermediate Mechanics
  • Electronics
  • Intermediate Electromagnetic Theory
  • Quantum Mechanics
  • Advanced Laboratory

• Elective upper-level courses:

  (Computational Tools and Special Topics offered annually; others once every two or three years; 10-20 students per course.)
  • Computational Tools in Physics I, II, III (1/3-credit each),
  • Thermal Physics
  • Optics
  • Advanced Mechanics
  • Advanced Electromagnetic Theory
  • Advanced Modern Physics
  • Mathematical Methods of Physics
  • Laser Physics
  • Special Topics in Physics
    (plasma physics, solid state physics, relativity, heavy ion physics, high energy physics, etc.)

• Tutorials, independent studies, and capstone projects

  (3-5 students per year per faculty member)

• Outreach courses for non-majors

  (Two outreach courses offered each year; 10--40 students per course)
  • Light! More Light!
  • Physics of Music
  • Aspects of Physics
    (Astronomy, Relativity, Cosmology, etc.)

• A half-credit tutorial in science and society

  (offered once every two or three years as needed for students who seek certification to teach in the secondary schools.

• Freshman Studies

  (Two sections per year, 15-17 students per section)