Goucher College 2015-2016 Undergraduate Catalogue

Nov 26, 2024

Goucher College 2015-2016 Undergraduate Catalogue PLEASE NOTE: This is an archived catalog. Programs are subject to change each academic year.

Physics Major

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Core Courses: The following courses constitute the core of a physics (or related) degree, and are required for all students majoring in physics:

Physics Tracks:

In addition to the core courses, students elect to follow a particular track (listed below) that best fits their interests and future goals. In consultation with their academic advisor, students should choose additional courses from the departmental offerings, and other courses as required below, to best prepare for their post-graduate career. Students should check all courses for the accompanying prerequisites. Laboratory reports and papers in

PHY 220

and

PHY 230

are used to evaluate writing proficiency in the major.

Traditional Track (Preparation for a graduate program in Physics):

In addition to the core courses, the following are required:

In addition to departmental offerings, students may elect to take:

MA 316 - Scientific Computation (4 Cr.)
CS 116 - Introduction to Computer Science (4 Cr.)
PHY 171.304 - Quantum Mechanics II (offered at Johns Hopkins University)
PHY 171.310 - Biological Physics (offered at Johns Hopkins University)
PHY 171.408 - Nuclear and Particle Physics (offered at Johns Hopkins University)
PHY 171.405 - Condensed Matter Physics (offered at Johns Hopkins University)
PHY 171.413 - Magnetic Materials & Sprintronics (offered at Johns Hopkins University)

Astronomy Track (Preparation for a career or graduate program in Astronomy):

In addition to the core courses, the following are required.

AST 110 - Introduction to Astronomy (4 Cr.)
AST 210 - Intermediate Astronomy (3 Cr.)
AST 320 - Astrophysics (3 Cr.)
one additional class at the 300 level

In addition to departmental offerings, students may elect to take:

MA 316 - Scientific Computation (3 Cr.)
PHY 171.313 - Introduction to Stellar Physics (offered at Johns Hopkins University)
PHY 171.314 - Introduction to Galaxies and AGN (offered at Johns Hopkins University)
ASTR 301 - Astrophysical Techniques (offered at Towson University)

Pre-Engineering Track (Preparation for a career or graduate program in Engineering):

In addition to the core courses, the following are required:

CS 116 - Introduction to Computer Science (4 Cr.)
PHY 301 - Intermediate Electromagnetic Theory (3 Cr.)
PHY 340 - Classical Mechanics (3 Cr.)
one additional class at the 300 level

In addition to departmental offerings, students may elect to take:

Individualized Track (Individualized physics major):

Students may develop an individualized major in consultation with their major advisor by proposing a list of at least 9 credits (including at least two from the Department at the 300 level) for approval by the Chair of the Department. Topics include (but are not limited to) pre-medical and biophysics, material science, environmental physics, econophysics, computational physics, physics of music or art, etc.