Senior Theses
Every physics student is required to submit a portfolio, senior thesis, or capstone project to demonstrate their mastery of their chosen area of study.
B.A. in Physics
Students pursuing a B.A. in Physics are required to complete a portfolio of work that represents their four-year growth as physicists. These portfolios are developed and curated by the student through a sequence of portfolio courses. These courses encourage problem-solving skill development in traditional physics domains, computational modeling of diverse phenomena, data analysis, as well as career skills. Each student completes a comprehensive résumé, engages in informational interviews with alumni working in the field, and begins the process of network building for career exploration.
B.S. in Physics
Students pursuing a B.S. in Physics are required to complete the Senior Thesis or capstone project. Some of the projects Carthage physics majors have created for this requirement include:
- “Writing A Fluid Solver From First Principles”
- “The Effects of Limb Darkening on the Measurements of the Physical Properties of Exoplanets”
- “Principal Component Analysis of Diffuse Interstellar Band Carriers”
- “Quad-copter Design and Control Using PID Methodology”
- “Remote sensing of Carbonate based Minerals: A Literature Study of Remote Sensing Technologies”
- “Advancements in the Modal Propellant Gauging Experiment”
- “Entangled State Purity in CHSH Inequality Tests”
- “Correcting for Limitations in Temperature Sensing Response Time”
- “Aerodynamic Properties of a Model Airfoil”
- “Material Advancement in Prosthetic Limb Development”
- “Onset of Normal-Field Instability in a Ferrofluid in Microgravity”
- “Structural Finite Element Analysis”
- “Creating a Module for Implementation in Secondary Physics Classroom”
- “Investigating Vocal Formant Frequencies and Bandwidths Using a Two-Cavity Model of the Vocal Tract”
- “The Earth’s Electric Field”
- “Microgravity Fuel Gauging Using Modal Analysis”
- “The Difference in Friction Between GF-4 and GF-5 Engine Oil”
- “An Analysis of Spectral Absorption Line Asymmetries in HD 175156”