The Carthage Physics Major
Sample Schedule
The schedule below is a sample program of study that a physics major (starting as a freshman with no Advanced Placement or transfer credits in physics or calculus) might expect to take over a four-year period at Carthage College.
This is a sample schedule only. An individual student’s selections will vary, based on high-school background, interests and goals. Every student works closely with a faculty advisor in selecting his or her courses.
In most cases, electives are to be chosen from courses in the Humanities, Fine Arts and Social Sciences divisions, in order to meet distribution requirements for graduation. If one of the concentration areas (astrophysics, engineering, advanced physics for graduate school) or a meteorology and climatology minor is being pursued, some electives will need to be from courses in the Natural Sciences Division.
Most 300-level or higher physics electives are offered in alternate years. This means a student can expect to take any such course either as a junior or senior. Please consult the College Catalog or contact the Department Chair for details.
Freshman Year
Fall Term
PHYS 104 Understandings of Physics I
MATH 112 and 112L Calculus I and Lab
CORE 110 Western Heritage I
Modern Language course, or Elective
January Term
RELI 100 Understandings of Religion, or elective
Spring Term
PHYS 105 and 105L Understandings of Physics II and Lab
MATH 113 and 113L Calculus II and Lab
CORE 111 Western Heritage II
Modern Language course, or elective
Sophomore Year
Fall Term
PHYS 203 Intermediate Physics I (includes Lab)
MATH 222 Differential Equations
Second Religion course
Elective
EXSS 001 Concepts of Physical Fitness (1 credit)
January Term
(Optional) Elective
Spring Term
PHYS 204 Intermediate Physics II (includes Lab)
PHYS 310 Math Methods for Scientists and Engineers
2 Electives
EXSS Physical Fitness activity (1 credit)
Summer Term
(Optional - competitive) SURE Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (on-campus research)
Junior Year
Fall Term
PHYS 340 Waves and Modern Physics
PHYS 308 Mechanics, or PHYS 360 Thermodynamics
Writing Intensive (WI) Elective
Elective
January Term
Carthage Symposium (CS) team-taught course, or Elective
Spring Term
PHYS 405 Electricity & Magnetism, or PHYS 410 Quantum Mechanics
PHYS 312 Electronics, or PHYS 471 Topics in Physics (Biophysics, Nuclear Physics, Fluids)
Global Heritage (GH) Elective, or Elective
Elective
Summer Term
(Optional - competitive) NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU)
Senior Year
Fall Term
PHYS 308 Mechanics, or PHYS 360 Thermodynamics
PHYS 303 Optics, or PHYS 407 Astrophysics, or PHYS 490 Independent Research
PHYS 400 Senior Seminar (1 credit)
2 Electives
January Term
PHYS 406 Experimental Physics, or PHYS 408 Observational Astrophysics (Writing Intensive - WI)
Senior Thesis (required, but 0 credit)
Spring Term
PHYS 405 Electricity & Magnetism, or PHYS 410 Quantum Mechanics
PHYS 312 Electronics, or PHYS 471 Topics in Physics (Biophysics, Nuclear Physics, Fluids)
Elective
Senior Thesis (required, but 0 credit)
Academic Resources
Prospective Students
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.
Faculty Spotlight
Carthage physics professor Doug Arion has a starring role in the International Year of Astronomy 2009 with the Galileoscope. Read more.
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Kenosha, WI 53140
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