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Department of Physics

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Physics Undergraduate Program

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The Department of Physics provides three undergraduate degree programs:

• Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
• Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
• Bachelor of Science with Secondary Education Teacher Certification

A Physics Minor is also available for students working toward a degree in other fields.  The Bachelor of Science degree is recommended for those students planning to work in industry immediately upon graduating, or for those students who wish to pursue graduate studies in physics.  The Bachelor of Brts degree requires one year of a foreign language as part of the general education requirements for the major.

Physics majors will study Classical Physics (mechanics, heat, sound, electricity, magnetism, and light) and Modern Physics (Einstein's theory of relativity, and quantum mechanics), along with applications to atomic, molecular, nuclear, solid-state, and statistical physics.  Throughout their study of physics, students learn applications that lead to a variety of specialized fields of study.  For example, classical mechanics introduces the techniques of the mechanical and civil engineer; the solid-state theory of semiconductors and transistors brings students into contact with electrical engineering and the electronics industry; nuclear physics acquaints the student with nuclear fission and nuclear fusion reactions.

The Physics Department maintains teaching and research laboratories in which students develop measurement and data-analysis skills.  Seniors often develop individual research projects suited to their interests.  The department provides experimental research opportunities in the areas of thin film physics, optical coatings, nonlinear optical properties of materials and holographic data storage, and studies of the photon yields of prototypes of scintillating optical fibers.  Our theoretical group offer research opportunities in mathematical physics, optical properties of solids, single-electron states for electrons confined to two dimensions in the presence of strong magnetic fields and charge impurities and how simple rules can lead to complex phenomena, such as self-organized criticality, self-similar structures, and power laws and elementary particle physics, concentrating on gauge field theories, quantum chromodynamics and weak interactions, and more.  The department also has an active physics and Astronomy Education Research group studying problem-solving in physics and astronomy, conceptual difficulties in astronomy, inclusiveness issues in science, implementing and developing novel and inquiry-based curriculum, and developing reliable and valid assessments.