Major & Minor Requirements

The Physics Major provides students with an opportunity to learn and apply physical principles to a wide variety of applications. An understanding of physics is excellent preparation for a diverse array of careers, including engineering, astronomy and financial modeling. The major requirements are flexible. Each student, with the help of his or her advisor, may select the courses that best suit his or her interests and abilities.

At Carthage, physics majors can pursue a concentration in astrophysics, engineering or applied physics, or take courses to prepare for graduate school and an advanced degree in physics.

Physics Major
Concentrations Within the Major
Physics Minor
Meteorology and Climatology Minor
Honors in the Major

Please note: Current students should work with their advisors and the department chair to ensure all requirements are met.

See a sample schedule for a physics major.

Physics Major

Students majoring physics must successfully complete 41 credits and a senior thesis.

Required Courses (take all):

PHYS 104 Understandings of Physics I
PHYS 105 Understandings of Physics II
PHYS 203 Intermediate Physics I
PHYS 204 Intermediate Physics II
PHYS 310 Mathematical Methods for Scientists & Engineers OR PHYS 312 Electronics
PHYS 400 Senior Seminar
PHYS 406 Experimental Physics OR PHYS 408 Observational Astrophysics
MATH 112 Calculus I
MATH 113 Calculus II
MATH 222 Differential Equations
With consent of the department chair, CHEM 101 and CHEM 102 may be substituted for PHYS 104 and PHYS 105.

Electives:

In addition to the above requirements, physics majors are required to take 16 credits of coursework at the 300 level or higher. With approval of the department chair, up to 8 credits may be selected from an approved list of science courses outside the Physics Department.

Concentrations Within the Major

The physics major elective courses may be selected to accommodate various interests and career objectives. In consultation with a faculty advisor, students may elect to concentrate in any of several different areas:

Astrophysics. Students pursuing a concentration in astrophysics have access to instruments at Yerkes and Steward Observatories, some of the premier astrophysical research observatories in the world. Carthage also owns and maintains a variety of telescopes, CCD cameras and research equipment, which the student may use. The astrophysics concentration includes: PHYS 303, PHYS 340, PHYS 407, PHYS 408; and a choice of PHYS 308 and PHYS 405 or PHYS 360 and PHYS 410.

Engineering or Applied Physics. Carthage offers a 3-2 dual degree program for engineering students. Students planning to pursue further education in engineering or applied physics should consult a faculty advisor to select course electives appropriate to their intended engineering specialty.

Advanced Degree in Physics. Students intending to pursue advanced degrees in physics should take electives that cover the core material required for admission to graduate school. These include PHYS 303, PHYS 308, PHYS 310, PHYS 340, PHYS 360, PHYS 405, PHYS 410, and PHYS 471.

Physics Minor

The Carthage Physics Department offers two ways to earn a minor in physics. (Students interested in teaching physics should consult the department chair for suggested courses.)

Choice 1:

PHYS 104 Understandings of Physics I
PHYS 105 Understandings of Physics II
PHYS 203 Intermediate Physics I
PHYS 204 Intermediate Physics II
Two additional courses in physics numbered 300 or higher

Choice 2:

PHYS 203 Intermediate Physics I
PHYS 204 Intermediate Physics II
Three additional courses in physics numbered 300 or higher

The Meteorology and Climatology Minor

The Meteorology and Climatology Minor is directed toward students who are interested in pursuing atmospheric scholarship and research, focusing specifically on the atmospheric contributions that the disciplines of geography and physics provide. There are prerequisites to some of the courses for this minor. Students should consult their advisors and seek guidance from the departments of Geography and Physics.

For a Meteorology and Climatology Minor, students will complete 24 credits:

Required Courses (take all):

GEOS 155 Introduction to Physical Geography
GEOS 255 Meteorology
GEOS 365 Climatology
GEOS/PHYS 415 Science of Global Climate Change
PHYS 203 Intermediate Physics I
PHYS 360 Thermodynamics

Honors in the Major

Honors are awarded at the discretion of the Physics Department. Students are eligible for Honors in physics if they maintain an overall GPA above 3.3 and a physics GPA above 3.0 at graduation, undertake scholarly physics research (in addition to the Senior Thesis) that is presented in public or published, earn a rating of "excellent" for the Senior Thesis, and receive the formal recommendation of the Physics Department.

Academic Resources

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Prospective Students

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Research Opportunities

Carthage students have access to some of the world's largest observatories. Read more.

Summer Undergraduate Research Experience lets students work one-on-one with a faculty mentor.

Weightless Wonder

Physics students fly high in NASA Microgravity Program.