Physics and Astronomy Department

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The Physics and Astronomy Department offers a flexible major in physics with a variety of tracks, designed to fit student’s interests while preparing them for any challenges and career paths they take on after graduating.  In addition, the Physics and Astronomy Department offers minors in physics and astronomy and a broad array of dual-degree programs in engineering (3+2 programs) through Columbia University or Johns Hopkins University. Goucher students may also elect to take specialized courses in collaboration with the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the Johns Hopkins University (JHU).

The goal of the Physics and Astronomy Department is to guide students to acquire a high level of analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities through in-depth study of challenging physical concepts, both theoretical and experimental.

The core curriculum in all tracks prepares students for graduate school and/or careers in physics, such as science education, research and development, design and manufacturing, government, and information technology. Recent studies by the American Institute of Physics (AIP) have reported physics success stories in a variety of fields such as acoustics, computers, consumer goods, energy efficiency, environmental science, global positioning systems, the Internet, lasers, liquid crystals, medical imaging, nanotechnology, quantum computing, information systems, telecommunications, and transportation. Physics and Astronomy also rank among the fields with the lowest post-graduation unemployment and highest potential for job growth.

Students have the opportunity to conduct scientific research with Goucher College physics and astronomy faculty in experimental and theoretical condensed matter physics, materials science, accelerator and beam physics and astronomy. Other areas of research are available at nearby institutions, such as the JHU Department of Physics and Astronomy, the Space Telescope Science Institute, and Goddard Spaceflight Center, among others. Students regularly present the results of student/faculty collaborative research both at poster sessions within the Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at Goucher College. In the past, such work has also been presented at professional conferences and has been published in scientific journals with students as lead or co-authors.

International studies in physics and astronomy are available through semester or year-long programs at the University of Glasgow (UK) or through a three-week intensive program in Granada, Spain. Off-campus internships and summer research programs provide valuable experience in work settings that often lead to informed career choices. For more detailed information on the Physics and Astronomy Department faculty members, physics curriculum and collaborative student/faculty research, please visit our website at http://www.goucher.edu/physics.

Science and Engineering Program

Goucher College has established dual-degree programs (typically called “3+2” programs) in partnership with Columbia University in the City of New York, and Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD. The dual-degree program enables students to explore the liberal arts and sciences, while developing professional knowledge and experience in a specific field of engineering. Students in the program are admitted initially by Goucher College, where they will typically spend three years fulfilling general education requirements and completing major requirements for the B.A. degree in physics.  Successful students then complete an additional two years at the partner institution to complete a B.S. degree in engineering.  At the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science of Columbia University, students can earn degrees in Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Earth and Environmental Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Engineering Management Systems, Industrial Engineering, Engineering Mechanics, Materials Science and Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering.  At the G.W.C. Whiting School of Engineering of the Johns Hopkins University, students can earn degrees in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, and Civil Engineering.  See below for more specific course and enrollment information.  Interested students should contact director of the program, Dr. Ali Bakhshai in the Physics & Astronomy Department at abakhsha@goucher.edu.

Department Faculty

Professors

Ali Bakhshai (experimental condensed matter physics), Sasha Dukan (theoretical condensed matter physics)

Associate Professors

Ben Sugerman, chair (astronomy), Rodney Yoder (accelerator and beam physics)

Physics Courses Offered at the Johns Hopkins University

The following courses are offered by the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the Johns Hopkins University:

• PHY 171.209 - Wave Phenomena with Biological Applications (4)
• PHY 171.304 - Theory of Quantum Mechanics II (4)
• PHY 171.313 - Introduction to Stellar Physics (3)
• PHY 171.314 - Introduction to Galaxies and Active Galactic Nuclei (3)
• PHY 171.310 - Biological Physics (3)
• PHY 171.408 - Nuclear and Particle Physics (3)
• PHY 171.405 - Condensed Matter Physics (3)
• PHY 171.413 - Magnetic Materials & Sprintronics (3)

THE DEGREE WITH HONORS IN PHYSICS

Majors in the Department of Physics and Astronomy are encouraged to strive for Honors in the major at the graduation. Departmental honors will be awarded on the basis of outstanding course work and additional independent research achievements. Students who wish to be considered for Honors in the major should plan their schedule to include independent research as described in the guidelines below.

Students must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.50 in the major (as computed from all courses taken within the Department of Physics and Astronomy), and a high level of achievement in either two semesters of independent research work or one summer independent research work plus one semester of independent research work under the supervision of a faculty member from the Department of Physics and Astronomy. Results of independent work should be presented either at an open seminar attended by students and faculty, or in a Senior Thesis evaluated by the Physics and Astronomy faculty members. Final selection requires the approval of the majority of the faculty members in the Department.

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